HGTV's Mike Holmes Shares Expert Tips For Removing An Outdated Popcorn Ceiling

With over 35 years of construction experience, Mike Holmes has seen his share of interior trends rise and fall while helping others find remodeling solutions to stay current. During that time, it's safe to say he's had plenty of projects concerning one design detail still plaguing many homeowners to this day — popcorn ceilings. Popcorn ceilings became popular from the 1950s through the 1970s for their low cost and ability to hide blemishes, but safety concerns and drab aesthetics led to their eventual downfall. Mike began his career as popcorn ceilings were on their way out, arriving just in time to see (and help) homeowners start to remove these dated installations. An expert of the times, Mike is worth listening to when you're ready to remove your popcorn ceiling. And there's much to note if you hope for an efficient process and clean results!

Before you can begin your project, Mike points out you may have to test your ceiling for safety. Asbestos was common in popcorn ceilings until it was banned in 1978, though the substance may still appear in those installed in the early- to mid-1980s. While relatively harmless when undisturbed, asbestos fibers can cause lung damage from frequent exposure, a serious hidden danger of popcorn ceilings. If you're unsure of your popcorn ceiling's age or condition, send a test sample to an accredited asbestos-testing facility before trying to remove it. You'll need professional assistance for asbestos-containing popcorn, while negative test results mean you can complete the project yourself.

Prepping the area with top tips from Mike Holmes

Before scraping away popcorn ceilings, Mike Holmes reminds us to cover the floor and empty the room to ease cleanup and prevent damage. "Scraping a popcorn ceiling is a huge mess!", Holmes writes on his HGTV Canada blog. He adds, "Move furniture out of the room. Anything that can't be moved, cover with a plastic tarp." Lay plastic sheeting over the entire floor and a few inches up the wall to catch dust, using tape or weights on the corners to hold it in place. Cover any vents, outlets, and light fixtures to keep debris out.

With the room protected, you can turn your attention to keeping yourself safe. Wear a dust mask that can handle fine particulate, like an N95 or P100 respirator, and eyewear to protect against falling debris. "I find it convenient to have a pair of disposable coveralls that I can toss when the project is complete," Holmes notes, stating it helps keep dust from spreading around the house. To scrape the ceiling, you'll need a putty knife, a floor scraper, and a pump sprayer like this Flo-Master by Hudson lawn and garden sprayer. After scraping, you'll also need patch materials. A drill and drywall screws will firm up loose drywall, while compound, putty knives, and fine-grit sandpaper will fix dings and other blemishes before you paint.

How Mike Holmes takes down popcorn ceilings the easy way

Wetting the popcorn ceiling will soften it for easier removal and reduce dust as you scrape. "Working on about 4-foot square sections at a time, fill your sprayer with water and a few tablespoons of dishwashing soap and moisten the area enough to loosen the popcorn finishing, but not damage the drywall underneath," Holmes recommends. He adds that you should let it sit for about 20 minutes before scraping to let it soak in. You can then gently remove the material with your floor scraper. Your putty knife will let you touch up small areas and get tricky zones like corners. If you hit a stubborn patch, resoak it, making sure not to oversaturate or damage the ceiling. Scrape it again when it softens. Holmes also suggests rounding the corners of your scraper blades with a file to keep them from digging into the drywall.

After scraping, Holmes says you can patch holes or imperfections. Tap in or replace any popped nails. If needed, screw loose drywall panels back in place with coarse-thread drywall screws. Fill trouble spots with joint compound, and let it dry overnight. When the compound sets, sand it smooth and prime and paint the new flat ceiling to blend it with the rest of the room. There are several alternatives to scraping, from skim coating to covering your popcorn ceiling, if you're worried about the work involved. But by following Mike Holmes's straightforward tips, you'll have no issue updating your popcorn ceiling the traditional way.

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