
Repairing a Damaged Popcorn Ceiling
- Determine the Cause of the Water Stain. It’s kind of a moot point to start painting over a water stain without first determining where the moisture is coming from (and ...
- Try to Remove the Stain. There are two main ways to attack a water stain on a popcorn ceiling – drawing the stain out or covering it up.
- Purchase Special Products. Using a water and bleach solution in an attempt to remove a water stain from a popcorn ceiling will at the very minimum dull the stain, which ...
- Prepping For Repainting. Sometimes stain remover simply doesn’t work and the inevitability of repainting the ceiling must be faced.
- Use an Oil Based Stain Sealing Paint. The first layer of paint is the most important because of the difficulty in working with the popcorn texture.
- Apply a Top Coat of Paint. In truth, the base layer of sealing paint is all a person would really need as long as it looks uniform.
- Think About Removing the Popcorn Look
- STEP 1: Identify and repair the root cause. ...
- STEP 2: Clean the stain with bleach. ...
- STEP 3: Apply a base coat of stain-blocking primer. ...
- STEP 4: Cover the primer with ceiling paint.
How to repair water damaged popcorn ceiling?
How to Repair Popcorn Ceiling Water Damage
- Identify the source of the damage and be sure it is completely resolved before attempting to fix the ceiling. ...
- Next, identify the damaged area. ...
- You want to go about one inch around the damaged area and remove all the pain and texture. ...
- Wipe the area with a damp cloth and apply a high-quality primer. ...
How to clean stain from popcorn ceiling?
How to Clean Popcorn Ceiling Stains. There’s one more product with a proven track record for dark or stubborn stains, and it’s incredibly straightforward. Hydrogen Peroxide. Take a spray bottle and fill it with hydrogen peroxide. Mist the stained area and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
What to do after removing a popcorn ceiling?
What to Do After Removing Popcorn Ceiling?
- Wait for a Day. It is important to wait for a day to allow the ceiling to dry properly. ...
- Fix the Damages. When you remove the popcorn ceiling, damages, faults, flaws, imperfections are often revealed underneath.
- Sanding the Surface. As soon as you have repaired the damages and done some work on the faults, you need to give it time to dry.
- Paint. ...
How to remove a popcorn ceiling with water?
- Prepare to scrape off the textured material. ...
- Paint scrapers help extend your reach when paired with a handle or painters pole.
- You may scrap each section while it’s dry, but applying a bit of water often helps moisten and remove the material if the process becomes difficult. ...

How do you remove water stains from popcorn ceiling?
Mix one-part bleach with four parts water in a spray bottle. Mist the discolored area and lightly dab it with a sponge, then wait a couple of hours to see if the stain comes out. If it doesn't, add more bleach to the spray bottle and try again in another area until the solution appears to be effective.
How do I get rid of brown water stains on my ceiling?
Learn how to remove water stains from ceilings in 4 steps:Fix the leak that caused the stain first.Clean the ceiling stain with a bleach solution.Apply an oil-based undercoat to keep the stain from bleeding through new paint.Repaint the ceiling, not just the stain.
How do you cover water stains on a textured ceiling?
0:261:16How to Cover Over a Water Stain on a Ceiling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what needs to be done is to block out that stain by using a stain sealer or stain blocker. We'reMoreSo what needs to be done is to block out that stain by using a stain sealer or stain blocker. We're using a spray can which is pretty convenient.
How do you remove water stains from popcorn ceiling without paint?
1:477:21How to Fix Water Stains on Ceiling or Wall - Without Painting It ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd i used a paper towel to sort of dab the extra water off i wanted that bleach to soak in but iMoreAnd i used a paper towel to sort of dab the extra water off i wanted that bleach to soak in but i didn't want tons of bleach just dripping. But again be very careful i was just dabbing.
Why does a ceiling water stain turn brown?
When you see brown spots, or patches, on your ceiling and interior walls, they are water stains caused from a leak above. This leak could be a malfunction in your commercial roof systems or a leak with another part of your facility, such as HVAC units or leaking pipes.
Can you just paint over water damaged ceiling?
If a water stain has caused any damage, e.g. cracks or flaking plaster, make sure that you repair the area first. This will help get a great finish and improve paint adhesion. To cover the stain, you will need a specialist stain blocker (such as the Zinsser Cover Stain (opens in new tab)) or an oil-based paint.
How do you fix a water damaged ceiling?
Repairing a Water-Damaged CeilingStop the Water Source. In any water damage situation, the first thing you need to do before you can make repairs is to address the water source. ... Dry the Affected Areas. ... Remove the Damaged Sections. ... Repair the Ceiling. ... Prime and Paint the Ceiling.
Does kilz cover water stains?
KILZ® UPSHOT® Stain sealer blocks out most stains caused by water, smoke, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker, grease and seals pet and smoke odors. Use on interior surfaces including wood, drywall, plaster, paneling, wallpaper, masonry, brick, painted metal and properly prepared glossy surfaces†.
How long does it take for a water stain to appear on a ceiling?
Look for mold. Moisture creates a hospitable atmosphere for bacteria, and materials such as drywall, carpeting and insulation are especially friendly to fungal growth. If bacteria has had time to set in, it means the water spot has been on the ceiling for at least two or three days.
What does a water stain on the ceiling mean?
Some common causes of water stains on ceilings include plumbing leaks, HVAC leaks, and roofing problems (such as roof flashing failure and damaged waterproofing membrane). Whatever the reason, address it as soon as possible to prevent severe damage.
Why are there water stains on my ceiling?
Ceiling water stains are primarily by-products of your roof, plumbing leak, or heating appliance that is seeping through the ceiling and then evaporates, thus leaving it with an unsightly patch of discolored and dried mineral deposits. Once you notice water stains on the ceiling, most people usually get annoyed.
How long does it take for a water stain to appear on a ceiling?
Look for mold. Moisture creates a hospitable atmosphere for bacteria, and materials such as drywall, carpeting and insulation are especially friendly to fungal growth. If bacteria has had time to set in, it means the water spot has been on the ceiling for at least two or three days.
Why is there wet spots on my ceiling?
Simply put, water spots on your home's ceiling are caused by excess moisture seeping through the drywall above the ceiling so that it becomes visible to you.
How to get popcorn stains out of ceiling?
The first way to try and draw the stain out is with a concoction of bleach and water mixed into a spray bottle. You want to use the spray bottle because dabbing the mix on the ceiling can damage the sometimes brittle popcorn texture. Apply the mix to the affected area once a day for about three days to see if the stain has subsided.
Why do people dislike popcorn ceilings?
The reason why some homeowners dislike popcorn ceilings is that damage to the finish can be a challenge to fix. Many new homeowners become nervous when they move into a home that has a stucco ceiling with signs of water damage and staining. Repairing and repainting a patch on a gloss-finish ceiling is an easy job but repairing a popcorn textured surface is often intimidating to those who have never done it before. The good news is that it isn’t very difficult to patch a popcorn ceiling with a water stain – you just have to follow a few simple steps.
Why do you need to paint popcorn?
The first layer of paint is the most important because of the difficulty in working with the popcorn texture. You’ll want to use a special oil-based stain sealing paint to avoid water stains in the future. Not only is the type of paint important, so is the method of applying that paint since the popcorn texture will quickly absorb that first layer.
Why is there water in the ceiling?
Most of the time a water stain on the drywall in a ceiling is caused by faulty shingles on the roof, but if the stain is directly below a bathroom the source could be a slow-leaking pipe. If possible, a homeowner should navigate to their roof and look for any signs of damage (torn and tattered shingles are a red flag but sometimes there could be an ...
When was popcorn ceiling popular?
Popcorn ceilings were very popular starting as far back as the 1950’s. Depending on the age of your home, you might be familiar with how lax the building codes were back then which means your popcorn ceiling could contain dangerous asbestos.
Can you paint a ceiling with stain remover?
Sometimes stain remover simply doesn’t work and the inevitability of repainting the ceiling must be faced. While you can try and paint only the affected area, most people find that redoing the whole ceiling is the only way they can avoid mismatched colors. Before you paint you need to prep the area, laying plastic on the floor to protect the carpet and putting masking tape on the area where the walls meet the ceiling. Dressers and beds should be moved out of bedrooms prior to painting your ceiling.
Can you patch popcorn ceiling with water?
Repairing and repainting a patch on a gloss-finish ceiling is an easy job but repairing a popcorn textured surface is often intimidating to those who have never done it before. The good news is that it isn’t very difficult to patch a popcorn ceiling with a water stain – you just have to follow a few simple steps.
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.
How to advance drying process?
Advance the drying process by allowing any excess liquid (bleach solution) to soak into the affected area and direct a fan toward the treated 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.
What to use to stain popcorn ceiling?
If you are working with a larger surface, we’d recommend using a roll-on stain blocker. This will do a better job of applying primer to the rough texture of popcorn ceilings.
What is the best way to repair popcorn ceilings?
If you have a small area to repair, a popcorn ceiling repair spray will be a great option. This is the fastest way to cover any damage to your popcorn ceilings.
What is a popcorn ceiling patch?
The popcorn ceiling patch has polystyrene chips that match the texture of popcorn ceilings. It can repair many different types of damage, including stains, scrapes, holes, or cracks. The texture blends seamlessly into the original texture.
How long does popcorn ceiling repair spray take to dry?
Popcorn ceiling repair spray covers areas as big as 4 square feet and can dry in 120 minutes. It sprays vertically, so you won’t have any trouble using this product.
Why are popcorn ceilings so popular?
Popcorn ceilings are incredibly popular because they are easy to install and create texture to an otherwise bland ceiling. Although they can look great in many homes, any water damage can cause stains that are difficult to fix.
How to fix water damage on ceiling?
The most common way to fix water damage is by covering stains with paint. You can simply use a stain-blocking primer and a few coats of ceiling paint to cover any yellowing spots.
How to recreate popcorn texture?
To recreate the popcorn texture, use an aggregate compound. This comes in various grades: fine, medium, or coarse. You can also buy a pre-mixed popcorn ceiling patch or spray.
What does it mean when popcorn ceilings have water?
If there is a water stain on your popcorn ceiling, it means there was has been a source of water. Unless you deal with this, you are going to be treating those same stains again (and dealing with worse issues!). If there is a plumbing leak, have a licensed plumber fix the issue right away. In the case of water intrusion from the outside, get a professional roofer or carpenter to repair it.
Is popcorn ceiling texture dangerous?
Popcorn ceiling texture often contains asbestos, and disturbing it can be hazardous to your health. A professional painter can deal with this safely and properly.
Can you paint popcorn with multiple coats?
Be aware that popcorn texture is very thirsty (highly absorbent), so it may take more paint than you expected. Apply it in multiple coats, rather than one heavy coat.
Can you paint popcorn ceilings?
While this is not the best solution, it is possible to paint a popcorn ceiling. Use a broom to sweep the surface clean before you begin. Next, you will want to use a stain blocking primer over the affected area, then you can apply a topcoat. Use a flat paint intended for ceilings, and apply it with a long-napped paint roller.

Determine The Cause of The Water Stain
Try to Remove The Stain
- There are two main ways to attack a water stain on a popcorn ceiling – drawing the stain out or covering it up. The first way to try and draw the stain out is with a concoction of bleach and water mixed into a spray bottle. You want to use the spray bottle because dabbing the mix on the ceiling can damage the sometimes brittle popcorn texture. Appl...
Purchase Special Products
- Using a water and bleach solution in an attempt to remove a water stain from a popcorn ceiling will at the very minimum dull the stain, which could make concealing it or covering the stain that much easier. Before repainting the area, though, try and remove even more of the stain with some specialty products available from your local home improvement store. Products such as Kilz or I…
Prepping For Repainting
- Sometimes stain remover simply doesn’t work and the inevitability of repainting the ceiling must be faced. While you can try and paint only the affected area, most people find that redoing the whole ceiling is the only way they can avoid mismatched colors. Before you paint you need to prep the area, laying plastic on the floor to protect the carpet and putting masking tape on the area w…