Video Shows How to Remove an Old Popcorn Ceiling and Test for Asbestos

Health and Safety Concerns About Asbestos

Our article about what to do with an old Popcorn Ceiling handles the situation for people who decide not to remove the old coating. Lots of questions remain: Can I remove it? Should I remove it? How Hard is it to remove an old popcorn ceiling? Is it safe to take off the old popcorn coating?

Starting with safety concerns, it has been illegal to sell or apply coatings containing asbestos since 1976 so unless you are certain that your ceiling was applied before 1977 there is little concern about asbestos. If you have no way to know when the ceiling coating was applied and if it could have been done before 1977 see this additional information about asbestos testing.

If you have addressed the asbestos question and are ready to take it off, try a small test area to be sure it was not applied over paint. Popcorn coating applied over a new drywall ceiling is simple to remove, but nearly impossible to remove smoothly if it was applied over paint. The paint and the popcorn get bonded together because they have similar properties that make them adhere to surfaces.

To find out whether the coating will come off cleanly, use a spray bottle like a plant mister with warm water to dampen the surface where you want to do your test. Dampen it with warm water and let it soak in. If you have low humidity conditions, re-dampen it about 20 minutes after the first spritzing. When it has been damp for about an hour you may be able to scrape it off cleanly. If the coating was applied to a new ceiling you’re in luck, the whole thing is simple (but messy) to take off. If it does not come off easily you might want to take another look at the article mentioned above that tells you how to cover over a popcorn ceiling using furring strips or a drop-grid suspended ceiling.

If you will be removing the coating, this short video shows you how easy it is to do the job.

Things to Keep in Mind

Remember to cover everything in the room to keep the dust out of vents and furnishings. Wear safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes, a headscarf to keep the junk out of your hair and a dust mask to keep from breathing all that dust. What to use to scrape off the popcorn? Any hardware store has scrapers, we suggest a wide one to make it go faster. Dampen the ceiling and wait for it to soften the bond. When working on ladders make sure your ladder is in good condition and properly set up to support your weight as you move – never try to lean further than you can comfortably reach when you are up on a ladder. Take your time and work calmly, it is the only way to work efficiently.