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?
Preparing to Clean a Popcorn Ceiling
- Dusting an Acoustic Ceiling. If your main concerns are dust and spiderwebs, cleaning a popcorn ceiling isn’t too difficult. ...
- Removing Stains from a Popcorn Ceiling. ...
- Leave the Everyday Cleaning to Merry Maids®. ...
What is the cheapest way to remove popcorn ceiling?
- Step two: Wipe the surface of the ceiling to smooth out any bumps or air bubbles in the joint compound. ...
- Step one: Turn off the power and remove light fixtures from the ceiling. ...
- Step two: Use a stud finder to mark the centers of joists on the ceiling. ...
How to get rid of popcorn ceilings without scraping?
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 can I remove popcorn from the ceiling?
- You may need to patch some areas of drywall after the texture has been removed. ...
- Sand the ceiling once the repair work is dried but keep the sanding to a minimum so that you don’t damage any areas.
- If you come across a visible nail or screw below the surface, cover it with joint compound. ...
- Prime and paint your ceiling as desired.
Why is my popcorn ceiling sagging?
Sagging in a ceiling may be caused by undersized drywall. You either have to replace 1/2-in. drywall with 5/8-in. or add furring strips and a second layer of 5/8-in.
How do you fix a sagging ceiling?
How to Fix Sagging Drywall CeilingsDefine the Damaged Area. Draw a rectangle around a patch of sagging drywall with a yardstick and a pencil. ... Cut Out the Damaged Drywall. ... Cut New Drywall. ... Attach the Drywall. ... Tape the Seams. ... Locate the Joists. ... Screw in Furring Strips. ... Hang the New Drywall.
How do you flatten a popcorn ceiling?
0:513:006 Steps on How to Flatten a Popcorn Ceiling - Part 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd hopefully you can sand it. And prime it and when you're finished priming it you will see areasMoreAnd hopefully you can sand it. And prime it and when you're finished priming it you will see areas where the dust has filled the holes. And you'll see little bits of cheese.
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 much does it cost to fix a sagging ceiling?
The national cost average for ceiling repairs is $250 to $850, with most homeowners paying $450 to patch a hole in a ceiling. The project's low cost is $100 to replace a damaged drop tile. The high cost for this project is $2,000 to deal with a serious leak.
How do you jack up a sagging ceiling?
Place the screw jack under the center of the ceiling joist or floor joist.Turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise to lower it all the way down with the adjustable wrench.Raise the telescoping arm as high as it will go. ... Turn the adjustment screw to the right with the adjustable wrench.More items...
Can popcorn ceiling be flattened?
Flattening a textured ceiling On the floor, use a canvas drop cloth. On the walls, use plastic drop cloths. It isn't necessary to cover the entire wall, just the top third. Wipe down the ceiling with a damp rag to ensure it's clean.
Does removing popcorn ceiling add value?
Schutte estimates that removing a popcorn ceiling would add $25,000 to $35,000 in value for a large estate executive home. For a home of about 1,400 square feet costing about $200,000, he estimates an added value of about $2,500—essentially, close to what a homeowner might put into the project.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is sagging ceiling normal?
If your cracks are accompanied by a bow or a “dip” in the ceiling, it is a sign of a large problem. The joists of a home are meant to hold up to the weight of the home and remain level, but once support weakens, the ceiling will start to sag as gravity takes over.
Why is my ceiling caving in?
“Causes of ceiling collapse may include incorrect access and use of the roof space; the use of inappropriate materials; or poor workmanship.”
How do you jack up a ceiling?
3:349:46How To Raise Sagging Floor Joists With Bottle Jacks, Wood ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou have the less times you have to move them to lift an area now you can do this with one bottleMoreYou have the less times you have to move them to lift an area now you can do this with one bottle jack by not being too greedy take. And cut a 2x4.
How do you strengthen a ceiling?
13:5747:03How to strengthen a ceiling and then plasterboard. The Easy ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut on the ceiling. And just kept banging it with a hammer just a lift of speeding up a little bit.MorePut on the ceiling. And just kept banging it with a hammer just a lift of speeding up a little bit. And once that's lifted I've just knocked that into place.
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.
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.
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 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 .
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.
Why is my ceiling sagging?
Sagging in a ceiling may be caused by undersized drywall. You either have to replace 1/2-in. drywall with 5/8-in. or add furring strips and a second layer of 5/8-in. drywall.
What is drywall that sags between joists called?
Ceiling drywall that sags between joists or trusses is sometimes called “pillowed” drywall. If your ceiling drywall is sagging between joists, sometimes called “pillowing,” it’s probably on the top floor and attached to the roof trusses.
How to get rid of flaking texture on ceiling?
Hold your cardboard directly under the damaged area and use the putty knife to scrape loose, stained, or flaking texture from your ceiling (be aware that this may increase the size of your work area)
What to do if sheetrock is sagging?
Note: If the sheetrock is sagging, broken, or deteriorated, a proper repair job may require you to cut out and replace the sheetrock in the affected area.
Can you repair a white ceiling texture?
Such texture repair is designed to match white ceiling texture color. However, for an exact match, you may need to purchase the proper color to cover the repaired area or simply repaint the ceiling to hide the patchwork
Is ceiling texture asbestos?
Asbestos Advisory – If your ceiling texture was installed/applied before 1980, Asbestos may be present in its composition. This mineral can become a health hazard if it becomes airborne. Call your local health department to find safe handling procedures for removal and disposal.
When was popcorn ceiling texture applied?
Don't disturb ceiling popcorn ceiling texture applied before 1977 as it could contain asbestos.
When was Don't Disturb Ceiling popcorn ceiling texture applied?
Don't disturb ceiling popcorn ceiling texture applied before 1977 as it could contain asbestos. Writer Bio. Mona Culberson began working on the assembly line at a large manufacturing company in 1983, where she worked her way up into several positions of business responsibility.
How to fix a crack in a drywall wall?
Cut a piece of plastic mesh patching material long enough to cover the length of the crack, plus 1 inch beyond the ends. Place the patch into the wet joint compound covering the crack and press it down firmly.
How to remove texture from a sandpaper?
Spray stubborn areas with hot water to loosen the texture for removal.
How to smooth patched area?
Sand the patched area smooth, using a fine-grit sanding block. Remove the sanding dust with a clean cloth.
How to cut flexible caulk?
Cut the tip off a tube of flexible caulk, using the cutting tool on a caulking gun. Insert the tube into the caulking gun and push the plunger forward until it rests against the bottom of the tube.
Can you fix a cracked popcorn ceiling?
The smallest crack in a popcorn ceiling can appear huge and distract from the look of the room. You don't have to pay a professional to fix a cracked popcorn ceiling. All you need to do the repair yourself are a few simple tools and supplies. Make ceiling repair a DIY project and keep your money in the bank.
Signs of Water Damage On Popcorn Ceilings
Water exposure causes a variety of ceiling problems. Some of the indicators that your ceiling has been damaged by water include, but are not limited to:
Causes of Water Damage to Ceilings
High humidity: There is a greater risk of your ceiling being damaged if moisture is always present in your house.
How To Repair Popcorn Ceiling Water Damage
It is critical to begin repairing your ceiling as soon as indicators of water damage appear. Before fixing the damage caused, it’s crucial to first fix the cause of the problem to avoid a recurrence of the damage in the future. The following steps may help you repair your water damaged popcorn ceiling.
How to cover the water stains
When dealing with a water stain, your first goal should be to locate the source of the leak that caused the stain. Make appropriate repairs or seek expert assistance if the work is technical or requires more than you can provide.
