I'm tackling the project of scraping off a popcorn ceiling, but I've just discovered it's been painted. Yikes! I'm looking for any tips or methods that could help me get this done, because hiring a professional is a bit out of my budget right now. I want to do this myself as I'm working on several updates around the house.
2 Answers
Definitely start with testing the popcorn for asbestos if you haven't already. Even if it's not, the removal process is similar. There's some good content online showing how to deal with encapsulated ceilings. Just be careful with the scraping and have some repair materials handy for after you remove it!
You can remove it like any regular popcorn ceiling, but you might need to put in a bit more effort because of the paint. Make sure to have a place to cover your furniture or store it temporarily. A solid approach is to scrape off the popcorn and paint, then consider renting an electric drywall sander for a smooth finish afterward. Also, lightly spraying the ceiling with water can really help with the scraping. Just a heads up, check for asbestos too, depending on your house's age! YouTube has plenty of videos for visual guidance.