Popcorn ceiling removal: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What popcorn ceiling removal is

Popcorn ceiling removal scrapes off the textured ceiling coating, then repairs and smooths the surface for paint. Older popcorn ceilings can contain asbestos, so a sample must be tested before anyone disturbs the texture, and the work should be planned around that result.

Signs you need it

  • The ceiling texture is flaking, cracking or chipping, and bits fall onto furniture or the floor
  • The ceiling is water-stained or sagging, and the texture has been wet at some point
  • The texture looks dated and you want a smooth ceiling for paint or a modern light fixture
  • The ceiling has been painted many times, and the texture has become thick and uneven
  • You are updating the room and the texture makes the new light and fan hard to fit

What the pro does

  • Take a sample of the ceiling texture and have it tested for asbestos by an accredited lab before any scraping begins
  • If the test is positive or the age is unknown, plan the removal under the containment and disposal methods the test result requires
  • Seal off the room, turn off the power to the fixtures, and cover the floor, walls and furniture with plastic
  • Wet the texture in small sections and scrape it off with a broad knife, keeping the surface damp to limit dust
  • Patch the ceiling where the texture pulled off, sand the patches and skim coat the ceiling as needed
  • Prime the ceiling, paint it, then clean the room and remove the waste as the test result allows

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Ceiling area and the number of rooms included, plus the ceiling height
  • The asbestos test result and the containment and disposal method it requires
  • How the texture was applied and how many paint layers sit on top of it
  • The condition of the drywall, including how many patches and skim coats are needed
  • Whether the ceiling has fixtures, fans or vents that must be removed and reset
  • Access, such as stairs, high ceilings or rooms with tight furniture that must be moved

What a written quote should spell out

  • Asbestos test results or a note that the test is required before work, with the lab named
  • Containment and cleanup method described, and the waste disposal steps named
  • Ceiling area by room, the number of fixtures to be removed and the reset included
  • Drywall repair and skim coat steps, and the number of patches included
  • Primer and paint type for the ceiling, with the number of finish coats

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Did you test the ceiling for asbestos, and who is the lab that tested it?
  • What containment do you use, and how do you keep the dust out of the rest of the house?
  • How do you handle the waste, and does the test result change how it is hauled?
  • What do you do if the drywall under the texture is damaged?
  • Will you turn off the power to the fixtures, and who resets them?
  • Can you show me a popcorn ceiling you removed in a similar home?

Red flags

  • The pro scrapes the ceiling without testing it, and says it is probably fine
  • The pro uses dry scraping or a sander on the texture with no containment
  • The pro does not seal off the HVAC returns or the rest of the house during the work
  • The pro says the test is not needed in a house built before modern rules

What you can do yourself

Do not scrape a popcorn ceiling yourself until it has been tested. If the test is negative, a homeowner can clear the room, cover everything and handle small patches. If the test is positive or the age of the home is unknown, leave the removal to a qualified abatement or removal firm, because disturbing asbestos fibers releases dust that stays in the lungs.

Licenses and permits

Asbestos testing and removal are regulated, and many areas require certified or licensed workers and a notice before work begins. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before any scraping starts.

Popcorn ceiling removal questions

Can I paint over a popcorn ceiling instead?

Painting can seal the texture in place, and it is a common choice when the texture is sound and the test is positive. Ask the pro whether encapsulation is appropriate and how it affects future work on the ceiling.

How do I know if my popcorn ceiling has asbestos?

You cannot tell by looking. An accredited lab tests a sample. Ask the pro to arrange the test, and do not take the sample yourself without the right protection and procedure.

Will removal leave the ceiling smooth?

Usually it leaves a rough surface that needs patching and a skim coat. Ask the pro how smooth the finished ceiling will be and what the skim coat involves.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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