Short answer
You remove popcorn ceiling by testing for asbestos first, prepping the room, wetting the texture to soften it, scraping it off with a wide drywall knife, repairing any dings, then sanding, priming, and painting. If the texture is painted or contains asbestos, consider covering with new drywall or hiring a pro.
What to know before you start
Popcorn ceilings (acoustic texture) were common through the 90s. Some textures installed before the late 80s can contain asbestos, and any ceiling painted before 1978 can have lead-based paint. Wet scraping dramatically reduces dust, but only proceed yourself if lab testing confirms no asbestos.
- Asbestos test: Take a small sample (following safe guidelines) and send to a certified lab. Typical cost: $30–$60 per sample; turnaround 1–3 days.
- If asbestos is present: Don’t scrape. Options: hire a licensed abatement contractor or encapsulate by installing new drywall over the texture.
- If the texture is painted: It won’t absorb water well. You may need to score the paint, use a wallpaper steamer, or plan to skim-coat or cover with drywall.
Tools and materials
- Safety: P100 respirator (or N95 for non-asbestos wet work), safety goggles, gloves, long sleeves, hat
- Protection: 1–2 mil plastic sheeting, rosin paper or plastic for floors, painter’s tape, masking film, garbage bags
- Prep: Screwdriver for fixtures, drop cloths, corded/LED work light
- Wetting: 1–2 gallon garden pump sprayer (adjustable fan nozzle)
- Scraping: 10–12 inch drywall taping knife or ceiling scraper with bag attachment; 6 inch putty knife for tight spots
- Finishing: Pre-mixed joint compound (all-purpose), drywall sanding pole or drywall vacuum sander, 120–150 grit sanding screens, PVA drywall primer, ceiling paint (flat)
- Optional: Wallpaper steamer for painted popcorn, wide mud pan, step ladder
Quick specs and settings
Wet mix: 1 gallon warm water + 2–3 tbsp dish soap (or 1 cup fabric softener)
Soak time: 10–15 minutes per area; re-mist if drying
Knife angle: 30–45° to the ceiling
Sanding grit: 120–150
Primer: PVA drywall primer, 1 coat (200–300 sq ft/gal)
Coverage rate (unpainted): ~100–150 sq ft/hour per person
Step-by-step: Removing non-asbestos, unpainted popcorn
1) Test and plan
- Get asbestos results before disturbing the ceiling.
- Decide finish level: smooth, light orange peel, or knockdown. Smooth requires more skim coating and sanding time.
2) Prep the room
- Remove furniture or pile it in the center and wrap in plastic.
- Turn off HVAC, cover supply/return vents, and shut off power at the breaker to ceiling fixtures. Remove fixtures/fans and cap wires in a covered box.
- Mask walls, windows, and doorways with plastic sheeting and tape. Lay plastic or rosin paper on floors with taped seams. Create a plastic “tub” up the walls 12–18 inches for quick cleanup.
3) Soften the texture
- Fill a pump sprayer with warm water and a splash of dish soap. Work in 4x4 foot sections.
- Mist evenly until damp, not dripping. Wait 10–15 minutes. If it dries, re-mist.
4) Scrape
- Hold the 10–12 inch knife at 30–45°. Push gently; don’t gouge the drywall.
- Catch debris on a mud pan or let it fall onto your plastic “tub.” For edges and corners, use a 6 inch knife.
- Stubborn patches: re-wet and wait. Avoid forcing it.
5) Spot repair
- Inspect for nail pops, joint ridges, or dings. Apply a thin coat of all-purpose joint compound to seams and damaged areas. Feather 8–12 inches wide.
- Let dry, then sand with 120–150 grit. Use a bright, raking light to spot imperfections.
6) Prime and paint
- Vacuum or wipe dust. Roll on one coat of PVA primer. This seals the paper and joint compound.
- For a smooth ceiling, apply a second skim coat where needed, sand again, then prime touch-ups.
- Finish with two coats of flat ceiling paint.
Dealing with painted popcorn
- Score the surface lightly with a utility knife to help water penetrate.
- Use a wallpaper steamer to soften the paint/texture; work slowly to avoid drywall damage.
- If removal is still miserable, plan to skim-coat over the texture with joint compound or install 3/8 inch drywall over the ceiling.
Alternatives to scraping
- Skim-coat: 1–2 coats of joint compound over the popcorn, then sand and prime. Less mess, more sanding. Materials ~$40–$80 per room.
- Cover with drywall: Screw 3/8 inch drywall over the popcorn, tape/mud seams. Hides asbestos when done by pros as encapsulation. Typical pro install: $2–$4/sq ft.
Safety tips
- Assume older textures may be hazardous until tested. Use a P100 respirator and keep the surface damp to limit dust.
- Protect eyes and skin; texture grit drops constantly.
- Keep ladders stable and don’t overreach. Work methodically in sections.
- Bag debris inside the room before carrying out to avoid tracking.
Time and cost
- DIY supplies: $50–$150 for a small room (tools may add $40–$100 if you don’t own them).
- Unpainted popcorn: A 12x12 room is often a one-day project (prep 1–2 hrs, scrape 2–3 hrs, repairs/prime 2–3 hrs plus drying).
- Painted popcorn: Add several hours or consider alternative methods.
- Pros: Non-asbestos removal runs ~$1–$3/sq ft. Asbestos abatement: ~$3–$7/sq ft depending on region.
Common mistakes
- Skipping asbestos/lead testing.
- Not shutting off power or failing to cover HVAC returns.
- Over-wetting and soaking the drywall, leading to sagging seams.
- Scraping with too much force and gouging the paper face of drywall.
- Priming with wall primer instead of PVA drywall primer.
When to call a pro
- Positive asbestos test or unknown origin you can’t verify.
- Very high or vaulted ceilings where staging/scaffolding is needed.
- Extensive ceiling damage, water stains, or prior repairs that require re-drywalling.
- Tight timelines where dust control and finish quality are critical.
With planning, the right tools, and patience, most homeowners can remove unpainted, non-asbestos popcorn in a weekend and end up with a clean, modern ceiling finish.