Moving into a new house is exciting, but choosing a house with a popcorn ceiling can be a tough call.
Like modern wall and ceiling texture techniques, popcorn ceilings were once considered a trendy option to decorate the home. These could add an interesting pattern to otherwise dull walls. However, with the advent of new alternatives, these ceiling textures have fallen out of trend. Thus, it is good to get rid of these and embrace new materials as an exciting upgrade.
Best Ways to Get Rid of Popcorn Ceiling
Popcorn ceilings have been a common feature of American homes built during the 1930s. These were believed to be a great solution for hiding issues with drywall, imperfections, and muffle noises from other rooms.
These ceilings have a similar appearance to cottage cheese and thus were called cottage cheese ceilings or acoustic ceilings. These had a speckled and stippled texture. Due to the lower availability of options, the number rose quickly. The trend continued till the 1990s, which is why you may have ended up with one. However, in such a case, getting rid of the popcorn ceiling is a good idea to add a modern appeal to your home.
Aside from being an eyesore, homeowners also fear the presence of asbestos that can be harmful for the young and aging population.
Is Asbestos the Sole Cause of the Removal of the Popcorn Ceilings?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring yet hazardous mineral. This eas used extensively in the spray-on ceiling structure. Long term exposure to the same can lead to several serious complications like –
- Lung issues
- Asbestosis
- Cancer
- Mesothelioma, etc.
However, the fear of asbestos must not be your sole motivation for the removal of the popcorn ceiling. Moreover, there is no way to tell by sight if the ceiling has asbestos. To determine the same, you need to conduct a test to determine the presence of asbestos fiber. You can seek the services of top professionals to determine the presence of asbestos and seek appropriate removal of the same. However, suppose you plan to undertake the test on your own or seek DIY solutions to get effective removal of the same. In that case, you must use gloves, a scraping tool, and High-efficiency particulate air mask (HEPA) to reduce the chances of exposure.
Professional or DIY Removal of Popcorn Ceiling
It is important to ensure no asbestos in your ceiling before determining the best way to remove the ceiling. In case the presence of the chemical is detected, only professional removal of the ceiling is recommended.
In the absence of the same, you can take DIY solutions to remove the same. Opting for professional aid can help you get rid of painted ceilings and similar problematic situations. They also ensure that you have a brand-new ceiling to flaunt to your guests. The time needed to handle the situation through these experts is nominal.
Opting for DIY solutions means purchasing the right tools and materials. Apart from this, you need to put in a lot of time and effort to secure the right outcomes. Moreover, removing the ceilings can be a messy task, and you need to have the following –
- Safety equipment
- Goggles
- Protective mask
- Ladder
- Painters tape
- Drywall taping knife
- Drop cloths to cover the floor and furniture
You can choose to follow the instructions of a DIY video to determine appropriate supplies for the project. If the same task is financially intensive, then call in an expert.