
How to Repair a Popcorn Ceiling in 6 Easy Steps
- Prep the Room. You’ll want to prepare the rest of the room before things get messy. ...
- Clean the Ceiling. Clear away all dust, cobwebs, and buildup using a soft-bristled brush attached to a vacuum. ...
- Remove Damaged Material. Use a putty knife to scrape away the affected popcorn texture currently on the ceiling. ...
- Repair the Drywall. ...
- Apply New Texture. ...
- Finish. ...
What is the best way to clean a popcorn ceiling?
- Mix the powdered TSP and hot water in a large bucket. ...
- Dip a sponge into the TSP solution, wring out the excess water and lightly dab the smoke stain until it lifts.
- If you have an entire ceiling to clean, use a long napped roller dipped in the TSP solution and gently roll it on. ...
- Let the ceiling sit overnight and keep the room well ventilated. ...
What is the cheapest way to cover a popcorn ceiling?
To effectively hide your textured ceiling with wood planks, follow the procedure detailed below:
- Locate the rafters – using a stud finder, situate the ceiling joists and mark them out using tape or a marker pen. ...
- Cut out light fixture holes – using a jigsaw, create holes for the lighting fixtures and vents on the wood planks.
- Install the wood planks- install the wood planks by nailing them down to the popcorn ceiling. ...
How to remove popcorn ceilings in less than 10 minutes?
- Note that this product is NOT recommended for popcorn ceilings that have been painted over. ...
- New Product: The patent pending POPeeze tool will make the job of popcorn ceiling removal much safer, cleaner and more efficient than conventional methods. ...
- CLEANER: No more scraping the ceiling texture and allowing the debris to fall to the floor. ...
How do you patch a popcorn ceiling?
Prep Work
- Painted popcorn ceiling removal is challenging. ...
- Spray water in the area and scrape. ...
- Use a paint stripper to remove painted texture or call a professional.
- Cover outlets and fixtures with plastic sheeting and tape.
- Cover the floors and bottom third of the walls with plastic.
- Turn off power to the room.

Can you patch up popcorn ceiling?
Unfortunately, when popcorn ceiling becomes damaged, it can be difficult to repair. The main challenge consists in matching the original texture to get a seamless patch, indistinguishable from the surrounding ceiling.
What is the cheapest way to cover a popcorn ceiling?
Some of the cheapest options include covering it up with tongue-and-groove wood panels, drywall panels, prepared fiberboard ceiling planks/tiles, fabric, and paint patterns.
How do you fix popcorn ceiling without scraping?
How to Cover Ugly Popcorn Ceilings Without Scraping It OffAsbestos in popcorn ceiling material.Cover popcorn ceiling with drywall.Add wood panels or beadboard.Use a drop ceiling.Install metal ceiling tiles.Refresh the ceiling.
How do you repair a hole in a popcorn ceiling?
11:5014:07How to Patch a Popcorn Ceiling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst I primed the area because anytime you do any kind of mudding the dry mud will absorb thatMoreFirst I primed the area because anytime you do any kind of mudding the dry mud will absorb that first layer of paint. So it's usually a good idea it's always a good idea to use a primer paint a
Is removing popcorn ceiling worth it?
In short, removing a popcorn ceiling can increase your home value. However, particular circumstances can affect its impact. Removing popcorn ceilings from a smaller home may not be a good use of renovation money. As long as it's in good condition, a fresh coat of paint may be the better option due to cost.
Is it better to remove popcorn ceiling or cover it?
Due to removing a popcorn ceiling is time-consuming, messy, requires many skills, and has dangerous asbestos, covering it is the best option.
Can you put joint compound over popcorn ceiling?
1:037:05Can I skim coat over my painted popcorn ceiling? DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you mix it too thin you're gonna have to do multiple coats to cover this popcorn ceiling it'sMoreIf you mix it too thin you're gonna have to do multiple coats to cover this popcorn ceiling it's going to take two coats of skin.
Can you smooth out a popcorn ceiling?
When scraping popcorn ceilings, you'll want to use a 4-inch utility knife or a drywall knife to chip away at the texture and create a smooth surface. You'll probably need to skim it with a thin layer of joint compound to smooth out imperfections, then sand it smooth before repainting.
How much does it cost to skim coat a popcorn ceiling?
Skim Coat Over Popcorn Ceiling The cost to skim coat over a averages $300 to $450 or $1 to $1.50 per square foot. This involves the process of applying a thin layer of plaster directly over the texture, rather than removing it first, and can cut down on the project price by taking away the removal expenses.
How do you make popcorn ceilings look good?
When looking for a way to dress up a ceiling with texture while also hiding that popcorn texture, consider adding wood or wood paneling. Covering the ceiling with tongue and groove wood planks, bead board, or another rustic wood plank or panel is a creative way to add interest to the ceiling and update the space.
How do you repair a small hole in a textured ceiling?
Step 1: Using Drywall Compound, Put a Layer in and around the Hole. ... Step 2: Using Tape, Bind the Bristles of an Old Paintbrush into a Round or Oval Shape. ... Step 3: Load up the Bristles with More Compound.Step 4: Apply the Compound from the Bristles in a Quick Up-Down Manner around the Whole Newly-Patched Area.More items...•
How do you repair textured ceiling?
6:489:59Amazing trick to match knockdown texture on a ceiling repair! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou basically want to dab. And pull and that brings the the mud down to where it's gonna lay outMoreYou basically want to dab. And pull and that brings the the mud down to where it's gonna lay out like the knockdown texture. So you just rapidly dab and pull add more mud.
How much does it cost to cover a popcorn ceiling?
Popcorn ceiling removal cost—when tackled by a professional—ranges from around $898 to $2,847, depending on the number of rooms, square footage, and a few other factors. Most homeowners will pay about $1,853 for the project.
What can I use to replace popcorn ceiling?
9 Options to Remove, Hide or Play Down a Popcorn CeilingCeiling Scraping.Ceiling Replacement.Covering Stucco.Beadboard. Classic beadboard makes a charming ceiling treatment, and not just in a rustic cottage. ... Warm wood. ... Pressed tin. ... Other Options.
Can you put tongue and groove over popcorn ceiling?
Popcorn ceilings were once in style, but today, they can make a home look a little outdated. Fortunately, it's easy to do a renovation on the ceilings of a home using tongue and groove planks.
Is it OK to drywall over popcorn ceiling?
The perfect solution for an ugly ceiling First, remember that removing a popcorn ceiling is a really dirty job. Second, patching a hole is just, well, patching a hole. You should consider simply covering the whole ugly mess with a new layer of drywall instead. It's probably the easiest way to get the best results.
How to get popcorn flakes out of popcorn?
Scrape the stained or damaged popcorn material with a putty knife, going about one inch around the damaged area. Hold a scrap of cardboard underneath to catch the falling flakes.
Why is it important to have all the tools handy before you start a home improvement project?
Keeping all the necessary tools handy before you begin the home improvement project will help you save time and reduce your frustration. Here’s everything you’ll need:
Can popcorn ceilings be repaired?
A cracking or water-damaged popcorn ceiling is difficult to repair and hard to clean. Moreover, it can easily catch dust. It’s best to repair it at the earliest.
Can you use spray texture on popcorn ceiling?
You could also use a premixed spray texture ideal for the patch and repair of stained popcorn ceilings. Keep in mind that such products are only suitable for small popcorn ceiling repairs.
Is popcorn ceiling removal dangerous?
Also, popcorn ceiling removal can be a dangerous project if your home was built between the 1950s and 1980s. There’s a good chance that it may contain carcinogenic asbestos, according to the Mesothelioma Center .
Is it a good idea to have all your materials ready ahead of time?
It’s always a good idea to have all your materials ready ahead of time. It’ll help you avoid last-minute trips to the local hardware store. Here’s everything you’ll need:
Can you touch up a popcorn ceiling?
Yes. A popcorn ceiling texture repair although a little time-consuming is doable. Keep in mind that a cracked popcorn ceiling can take away from the look of your living area, and is best repaired as soon as possible. You can fix a cracked popcorn ceiling with a few simple tools and supplies.
Before You Begin
It’s not difficult to patch a popcorn ceiling, but it does require a little bit of prep work ahead of time. With a step-by-step like this one, most DIYers are qualified to tackle this task. Like any home renovation project, make sure you have all the tools and supplies you will need before you begin so you don’t have to stop partway through.
How to Fix a Popcorn Ceiling (6 Steps)
If you’ve ever watched someone patch a popcorn ceiling on those home renovation shows, you will notice one of two things. Either the room they are working in will be empty, or plastic will cover any furniture. This is due to the sheer amount of dust that will result from this project. It also protects from any damage from paint splatter at the end.
Fixing a Small Hole in the Ceiling
If you find only a small hole in the ceiling once you scrape the old texture off, then it’s not necessary to cut a huge chunk out. Filling the hole with joint compound and embedding a piece of tape across the hole will be sufficient. After embedding the tape, make sure you still give it a final coat of compound to smooth it out.
Conclusion
As you can see in this straightforward step-by-step, it doesn’t take any special training to patch a popcorn ceiling. However, if this is your first time doing any drywall work, prepare for a little bit of frustration. Mudding and taping is an art, but the beauty of popcorn texture is that it hides many of the imperfections.
Why does popcorn ceiling peel off?
Because the texture is applied over the existing dry wall on the ceiling, it can peel off over time due to moisture, impact damage or simply old age.
How to attach tarp to ceiling?
Cut a long strip off of another plastic drop cloth that is at least 6 feet long and 3 to 4 feet wide. Place the edge of the tarp piece at one side of the ceiling hole and pin it to the ceiling with a push pin. Wrap the remainder of the plastic around the hole in a square or rectangular shape and attach it to the ceiling with three more push pins.
