How to Repair a Popcorn Ceiling That Has Peeled
- Lay a plastic drop cloth on the floor under the peeling ceiling to make cleanup easier later. ...
- Position a putty knife blade at an angle to the ceiling. Scrape over the peeling section to remove it.
- Cut a long strip off of another plastic drop cloth that is at least 6 feet long and 3 to 4 feet wide.
- Put on disposable gloves and shake up the can of acoustical texture for one to two minutes. Place your hand inside the plastic square you hung earlier.
- Allow the ceiling to dry for 24 hours and remove the pushpins and the tarp.
How do I repair my popcorn ceiling?
Small Hairline Cracks
- Remove the ceiling texture 2 inches beyond both sides of the crack, using a scraper.
- Cut the tip off a tube of flexible caulk, using the cutting tool on a caulking gun. ...
- Place the tip of the caulking gun at the beginning of the crack and squeeze the trigger of the gun to start the flow of caulk.
How to repair a popcorn ceiling that has peeled?
- Step one: Use a drop cloth to cover the floor underneath the damaged area of the ceiling.
- Step two: Use a putty knife to scrape off the damaged part of the ceiling. ...
- Step six: Ensure that there are no air gaps by blending the mixture with the old ceiling. ...
- Step one: Cover walls, carpet, and furniture to avoid overspray.
How to spot repair a popcorn ceiling?
Popcorn Ceiling Repair
- Remove Dust and Cobwebs
- Lay a drop cloth on the floor and sweep the ceiling to remove dust and cobwebs.
- Spray Hot Water Over the Damaged Area
- Fill a spray bottle with hot water. ...
- Remove the Damaged Texture
- Remove the softened texture from the ceiling, using a putty knife. ...
- Fix the Damage Using Drywall Joint Compound
How to quickly remove popcorn ceiling?
‘Using a pump garden sprayer, lightly spray a roughly 5 by 5 feet section with water, and wait 10 to 15 minutes to allow the water to penetrate the popcorn,’ says Jeremy Hume. ‘Don’t soak the ceiling as this can damage the drywall.
What to do if popcorn ceiling is peeling?
1:043:40How To Remove Peeling Popcorn Ceiling Texture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that's what we'll be doing here and I just used the knife. Like I said I removed. Just slide itMoreSo that's what we'll be doing here and I just used the knife. Like I said I removed. Just slide it along the ceiling.
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.
How do you revive a popcorn ceiling?
How to Spot Repair a Popcorn CeilingRemove Dust and Cobwebs. ... Spray Hot Water Over the Damaged Area. ... Remove the Damaged Texture. ... Fix the Damage Using Drywall Joint Compound. ... Sand the Patched Area. ... Apply New Popcorn Ceiling Texture. ... Prime and Paint to Match.
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.
When did they stop using asbestos in popcorn ceilings?
In 1977, the U.S. Government banned the use of asbestos in ceiling finishes, and most ceilings installed after this date will not contain asbestos. It is still possible, however, that materials manufactured before 1977 were installed in homes after the ban.
Can you skim coat over popcorn ceiling?
1:3211:26When To Skim Coat Over A Popcorn Ceiling? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOver don't even try to skim coat over it because it's just gonna bubble and blister.MoreOver don't even try to skim coat over it because it's just gonna bubble and blister.
Do all popcorn ceilings have asbestos?
Popcorn ceilings generally contain between 1 and 10 percent asbestos. While 1 percent may seem insignificant, it's important to note that any percentage of asbestos in a popcorn ceiling is cause for concern and should be addressed.
How do you know if popcorn ceiling has asbestos?
You can test a popcorn ceiling for the presence of asbestos by carefully scraping a small sample into a plastic bag and having it tested at an EPA-accredited lab. While homeowners are allowed to remove a popcorn ceiling that contains the material, a professional asbestos remediation company should do the job.
Can You Repair or Touch Up a Popcorn Ceiling?
You can easily perform small repairs or touch-ups to popcorn ceiling damage. There are many different options available to you that vary in cost and effort needed.
How To Fix Your Popcorn Ceiling
Small damages can easily be repaired or covered by using a popcorn ceiling patch, spray, or a roller. You can find these tools at the nearest Home Depot and each requires minimal effort to use.
Cost To Repair Popcorn Ceiling
Hiring a contractor to fix popcorn ceiling damages is expensive, but it ensures that the problem is permanently repaired.
How To Repair a Popcorn Ceiling With a Roller
Step one: Lay down a tarp on the floor underneath the damaged ceiling. Cover any other surfaces as needed.
How To Repair a Popcorn Ceiling With a Patch
Step one: Cover all surfaces. You can lay a drop cloth or tarp underneath the damaged area, but you might want to cover the walls and furniture as well.
How To Repair a Popcorn Ceiling With Spray
Step one: Cover any surfaces. The walls, floor, and furniture could be accidentally sprayed if uncovered.
How To Touch Up a Popcorn Ceiling
Touching up a popcorn ceiling doesn’t have to be an extensive repair. As houses age, the ceiling will go through natural wear and tear. Water leaks or humidity may cause stains or other small damages.
What Causes a Popcorn Ceiling To Fall Off?
When a popcorn ceiling starts to fall off, the problem is most likely moisture.
What Causes a Popcorn Ceiling To Crack?
When you see a crack in your ceiling, it can be very concerning. Although it can seem like an indication of serious structural damage, cracks are usually caused by either natural settling or moisture.
What Causes a Popcorn Ceiling To Bubble?
If a bubble starts forming in your ceiling, it’s caused by a buildup of moisture.
How To Repair Your Ceiling
There are a few ways to repair your popcorn ceiling without professional help. However, it is important to note that popcorn ceilings that have been installed before 1979 may contain asbestos. If you have an older home, make sure to have your ceiling checked for asbestos before you make any DIY repairs.
Final Thoughts
When problems with your popcorn ceiling occur, it can be a frustrating experience. You may notice that your ceiling starts to crack, peel, bubble, or fall off over time. This usually happens because of water damage, but there are a few simple ways to perform repairs yourself.
Featured In
Greg is a self taught home renovator and writer for RenoViso. His shares his experiences with Southern Living, Traditional Home and other publications.
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.
