If you are a person from the 60s or 70s, you might have witnessed the craze of popcorn or stucco ceilings in those days. The trend, however, has faded away and flat ceiling designs have replaced it. If you live in Canada, you will notice that many homeowners are now planning to get rid of popcorn or stucco ceilings and some of them prefer to go with the DIY method to make the ceilings popcorn-free.
If you have any prior experience, removing the popcorn ceiling can be an easy task for you. However, if you are doing it for the first time, you must have some ideas about the process. In this blog, we will highlight the steps you need to follow to remove a stucco ceiling successfully without hiring a stucco or popcorn ceilings removal company.
Beware of Asbestos
Asbestos is the first thing you need to sort out before going further. If the ceiling construction was before 1980, there is a high chance of containing asbestos. Asbestos is harmful material, and it can cause even cancer. Hence, it is crucial to test the content so that you can take measures accordingly.
If the material contains harmful asbestos, cover the ceiling with new drywall or abatement contractor to make the process of removing popcorn safe. For the most reliable popcorn ceiling removal project, you can hire professionals who come with proper safety gear and have years of experience in the job.
Preparer for the Project
Stucco or popcorn ceiling removal is a messy job, and you have to get prepared for it. If you want to keep your walls and floors safe from the dust and dirt, you have to arrange some plastic drop cloths to cover the areas you want to keep clean. If you’re going to do any repair works or sanding the ceiling for painting, do not remove the plastic covers before the completion of the project.
If you have furniture in the room, try to shift them somewhere else if possible. Since stucco or popcorn ceiling removal is a messy task; keeping furniture away from the project will be a good idea.
Remove Appliances
Now it is time to remove all the appliances and fixtures attached to the ceiling. Your ceiling may have lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, and decorative items, and you have to remove all the stuff before you start working on the project.
If you are not handy in working with electrical items, you can hire a certified electrician to take care of the job. Remember, you have to fix them again after the completion of the project.
Wet the Ceiling
Once you complete all the preparatory works, you have to focus on the ceiling. It is time to wet the ceiling with water. You can use any household sprayer to make the roof dampen, as it will make the task of popcorn or stucco removal easy. Once you spray water across the ceiling, give it at least 15 minutes to soak the moisture, so that process of scrapping becomes easier.
Progress with Small Steps
Starting without a plan will not be a smart move for the process of popcorn ceiling removal. Start with small areas and see how good you are in the job. If it is a large ceiling, you can start with a 4 square feet area to supervise your progress. You can spray the area you want to scrape around 15 minutes before starting.
Avoid Gouging
Although the removal of stucco or popcorn ceiling is quite easy, an inexperienced person can harm the roof with the scrapper. You can use a drywall taping knife to remove the popcorn, but you have to be careful about the gouging. If you ignore it when working on the project, you will end up with dozens of would across the ceiling. If you have made a mistake, you have to do some repair works before painting the ceiling.
It is one of the reasons why most homeowners across Canada prefer to hire popcorn ceilings removal service provider. Professionals use the right tools and techniques to remove the popcorn without harming the ceiling.
Make it Paint-Ready
Once you have finished scraping and you have made the ceiling popcorn-free, it is time to make the ceiling paint-ready. If you have preferred the DIY project, the possibility of having dings and gouges across the ceiling is quite high. You can sand the ceiling to make it smooth before applying paint on it.
DIY Vs Professional Service
The DIY is one of the most cost-effective ways to make your ceiling popcorn-free and paint-ready and many homeowners across Canada prefer it to save some money. DIY projects, however, do not always end with a satisfactory outcome. It can make the condition of your ceiling worst.
Although the DIT method can help you to save some money, it has some drawbacks, and you must be aware of it.
It Can Damage Your Ceiling
If you have not done such a job before, there is a considerable chance of damaging the ceiling. If you do not use the right tools to remove the popcorn, you can create small holes and gouge across the roof that may require some repair works later.
It Can Cause Accident
If you want to work on your ceiling, you will need a ladder, and not everyone can work in such a condition. The process can generate a massive amount of dust and dirt, and you will need an accurate face mask and eye gear to avoid uneasiness. Reputable popcorn ceilings removal companies take care of safety-related issues and work with the right safety gear.
Unexpected Outcome
The unknown outcome is the main disadvantage of going with the DIY method. Some homeowners start the DIY confidently and end up with an unexpected issue. Remember, a video tutorial is not enough to deliver a quality result, as it takes years to become handy in such a field.
A professional only knows how to deliver a 100% satisfactory outcome with minimum effort. Professionals gain expertise through their experience in the field, and you can hardly get any chance to file a complaint about the quality of their service.
If you have a small area to work on, you can think about applying your skill to remove popcorn and make the ceiling paint-ready. For mid-sized or large ceilings, however, you will require better tools and techniques, and hiring professionals for such projects will be the smartest move. A popcorn ceilings removal company will take care of everything and make it paint-ready within the assured period. The company can also perform painting work on your request as they come with a range of custom painting and house renovation solutions.
