Removing Popcorn Ceiling Texture

Have you ever noticed that for the longest time it seemed like every home you ever entered had the same kind of textured ceiling? That type of texture was, and is, referred to as popcorn texture. While it may have some pretty good sound dampening qualities, it can be pretty unattractive at times. Luckily, removing popcorn ceiling texture is remarkably easy. All you really need to do is spray a little water, do a little scrapping, and you are done. Aside from the mess, it couldn't really be any easier. That being said though, here is how you go about removing popcorn ceiling texture.

1. Get the materials. To begin removing popcorn ceiling texture you need to first get the proper tools. For this job you will need the following items: A sturdy ladder, dry wall sander, drywall sandpaper, drop cloths, plastic sheeting, a spray bottle filled with water, and a drywall joint knife.
2. Prep the room. After you have gathered your materials, it is time to prep your room for work. When removing popcorn ceiling texture you want to have your room as bare as possible. This means that you need to remove all of the furniture, light fixtures, pictures, and so on from the room that you can. In fact, if you are able to move it, then get it out. Over everything else, you will need to place some drop cloths and plastic sheeting. This will help protect what remains from any accidental damage, as well as help make the clean up a whole lot easier.
3. Start in one corner. Once your room is prepped fully, it is time to actually start removing the popcorn texture. Get your ladder, a joint knife that you can easily handle, and a spray bottle and choose a corner to start in. Set the ladder up, and spray the section of the ceiling that you will be working on. Be careful that you do not spray enough water to saturate the drywall underneath the texture, but enough to saturate the paint.
4. Slowly scrape off the texture. Hold your joint knife at around a 45 degree angle and begin to scrape away the popcorn texture. Use strong, even strokes to get everything that you can at one time. Keep in mind thought that it may take more than one pass until you get it all up. Use as much water as you need to help remove the texture.
5. Sand the ceiling. After you have removed the majority of the popcorn texture, go back over the ceiling with a drywall sander. This will help smooth out any minor damages that may have occurred, while also removing any small pieces of popcorn texture that you may have missed. Go over your ceiling as many times as you need to, until you are happy with the results.

Congratulations, you have now finished removing the popcorn ceiling texture in your room. While the ceiling may look a little bare right now, don't worry. One way to think of this bare ceiling is that it is another project waiting for you to complete. All you have to do now is figure out if you will be paneling, painting, or adding wallpaper to your ceiling.