Sent to you by Sparkie via Google Reader:
Filed under: Kitchen & Bath, Big Projects, Living Rooms, Living Spaces
Does your ceiling look like this? Does removing it scare you? It shouldn't. Photo: Jaime Derringer
Popcorn ceilings are totally out of style. We all know that, but at one time, they were all the rage. The were used as a stylish accent or to cover up unsightly irregularities or discoloration in ceilings.
I know that since I've started house hunting, I've noticed that these ceilings are just about everywhere. When I see them, I cringe and wonder, should a popcorn ceiling be a deal-breaker?
I finally have my answer: no! I just discovered that removing a popcorn ceiling is probably one of the easiest (albeit messiest) home improvement projects that you can do in just one day.
My parents recently decided to renovate their large family room (30' x 15') and their first step was to remove that yucky popcorn treatment. I asked them if I could document their process. After witnessing the relative simplicity of it, I'm now utterly unphased when I spy a popcorn ceiling in a potential real estate investment.
Here's what to do to restore your own ceiling to its smooth origins.
Plastic sheeting and blue tape are your friends. Photo: Jaime Derringer.
You can definitely accomplish this on your own, but if you can work with a partner, it will make things much easier. On a scale from 1-5, this task is a 1 for easy, but a 5 for messy! Wear old clothing and shoes, and prepare to spend most of the day getting dirty.
Time Investment
Because it's so messy, it's best to get it all done in one shot. Reserve an entire day to remove a popcorn ceiling in an average sized room, and get started early. Try to complete most of the removal in natural daylight so you don't have to work so close to hot, bright overhead lighting.
Tools & Supplies
Spray bottle (at least 1 for each person) filled with water
Plastic drop cloths (1 to 1.5 mil) and plastic sheeting (3 mil)
5"-6" putty knife
At least 6 to 8 clean rags
Blue painter's tape
Step stool or small ladder
Safety goggles
Face mask
Heavy duty trash bags
Protective gloves (optional)
A friend who really likes you (optional)
Patience (required)
Preparation
For this project, preparation is crucial. Proper prep will make the entire process easier -- and cleanup will be a breeze.
Remember to remove vents and pot light surrounds so that you can get underneath them. Photo: Jaime Derringer.
TIP: Plastic sheeting and blue tape are your best friends. The more you use the easier the clean up.
Cover any furniture you have left in the room with the plastic drop cloths. Cover as much of the floor as possible in plastic sheeting, which is thicker and can withstand the weight of the discarded popcorn and the constant foot traffic. It is also more durable and will better protect your flooring, facilitating clean-up.
Use the blue painter's tape to hang plastic drop cloths over any walls, closet doors, or openings to other rooms. My parents made the mistake of working on the first section of the ceiling next to a closet door only to find the popcorn had gotten into the closet and just about everywhere else you can imagine. Lesson learned: cover just about every possible opening you have, including closet doors, doorways, walls, and even the baseboards, as the popcorn will collect in the crevices. Use blue painter's tape to hang the drop clothes on vertical surfaces; they're lighter and will stay in place more easily than thick sheeting.
Instructions
I recommend starting at one end of the room and working your way down. This keeps the mess behind you as you move forward.
Soaking the popcorn treatment makes removal much easier and less dusty. Photo: Jaime Derringer.
TIP: You should work with a partner if you can because they can prep the next area while you are scraping, and
2. Wait about 3 minutes or so for the water to soak the entire area. Once it's adequately soaked, you should be able scrape your putty knife in even motions along the ceiling with little struggle. The popcorn treatment should come right off like oatmeal, falling onto the plastic sheeting below. This is why we suggest safety goggles -- you don't want that stuff in your eyes!
With the putty knife fairly flat, push the popcorn treatment off the ceiling. Photo: Jaime Derringer.
Use a rag or towel to remove any remaining residue, and to wipe off your putty knife. Photo: Jaime Derringer.
4. Then, take a rag and wipe the surface to remove any remaining residue. Take another clean rag and wipe off your putty knife.
TIP: Throw a towel over each shoulder and use one for the ceiling and the other for the knife. Change your rags often, as they will get dirty pretty quickly.
5. Move to the next area. If you are working with another person, try to have them spray another area while you are still working on the first area and things will move more quickly. (Your partner can also fill up your water bottle if needed. Or, you can both work together to get twice as much done and finish sooner.) If you decide to work alone, be sure to fill and use multiple spray bottles or bring along a pitcher of extra water so that you don't have to track the dirt and dust all over your house when its time to refill.
Move on to the next section until the entire room is complete. Photo: Jaime Derringer.
You'll really appreciate the time you took to prepare properly once it's time to clean up. When you've finished scraping the ceiling, walk around and double check that you've gotten all of the popcorn off. Be sure to take the plastic off of the walls first and keep the floors covered until the last minute. Roll up the plastic sheeting with the debris on it and place it in heavy duty trash bags. Wet popcorn ceiling material is very heavy, so don't overfill your trash bags.
TIP: If you do get some of the wet popcorn on your rug, let it dry first before you try to clean it up. It is easier to vacuum it when dry.
Admire your handiwork -- that wasn't that hard, now was it? Photo: Jaime Derringer.
Now that the popcorn treatment has been removed from your ceiling, you can admire the blank canvas you have to work with. If you decide to paint your ceiling after removing the popcorn, do a light sanding first; some sticky residue from the popcorn is bound to remain. If the ceiling is downright unsightly, do some repairs and apply a few coats of ceiling paint to cover it all up.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to DIY Life using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
No comments:
Post a Comment