QA

Question: How To Sand Popcorn Ceiling

When scraping popcorn ceilings, you’ll want to use a 4-inch utility knife or a drywall knife to chip away at the texture and create a smooth surface. You’ll probably need to skim it with a thin layer of joint compound to smooth out imperfections, then sand it smooth before repainting.

Can you sand down a textured ceiling?

If the push broom doesn’t penetrate the paint, you have two options: Sand off the texture with a drywall sander and create clouds of dust, or skim coat over the texture with fresh joint compound to make a smooth surface. After you remove the texture, you might have to refinish the drywall seams.

How do you smooth out a popcorn ceiling?

If you want to chip away at the texture and create a smooth surface after scraping popcorn ceilings, you’ll need a 4-inch utility knife or a drywall knife. If you want to smooth out imperfections, you’ll probably need to skim it with a thin layer of joint compound, then sand it smooth before painting.

Can you use a drywall sander on popcorn ceiling?

Yes as long as it is a texture made of drywall mud. I recently sanded a plaster popcorn ceiling with the 24 grit sandpaper and it worked well enough to sand the high spots down but still required a plaster skim coat to make it smooth.

What is the easiest way to remove popcorn ceiling texture?

“Use a wide putty knife or drywall taping knife and gently run it along the wet ceiling,” he says. Be careful not to gouge the ceiling beneath. (Filing the edges of your putty knife can help avoid gouges.) Make your way around the room, until all the texture has been removed.

Should I sand popcorn ceiling?

Popcorn ceilings can be seen as such an eyesore on an otherwise beautiful home. However, the thought of manually sanding it off sounds so much worse than actually having to look at the ceiling itself. It’s basically a vacuum for your ceiling, sucking in the grit you sand off, so there’s virtual zero cleanup.

How do you change a textured ceiling to smooth?

Add some joint compound to the hawk. Scoop a small amount of the joint compound off the hawk using the taping knife, and then apply it in thin, smooth coats over the textured ceiling. This technique requires multiple coats, so don’t feel the need to fill in all the low spots on the first pass.

Can popcorn ceiling be sanded off?

When scraping popcorn ceilings, you’ll want to use a 4-inch utility knife or a drywall knife to chip away at the texture and create a smooth surface. You’ll probably need to skim it with a thin layer of joint compound to smooth out imperfections, then sand it smooth before repainting.

How do you make popcorn ceilings look better?

Popcorn ceilings should be covered with lighter materials such as paint, paneling, or planks. One option to consider is gypsum board paneling, a material that is very similar to drywall, but much lighter and easier for the ceiling to support.

How do you sand a ceiling after removing popcorn?

If you notice any small holes or blemishes, you can use a drywall compound with a putty knife to fill them. Apply the compound in a nice skim coat to make it smooth. This will help you skip out on any extra sanding that may need to be done.

Can I use a sander on my ceiling?

Alright, your ceilings are scraped and you want to finish making your ceilings beautifully smooth. Use your pole sander with sand paper on it to evenly sand the ceiling and make it completely smooth.

Is removing popcorn ceiling worth it?

It’s time consuming and annoying, so if you’re bothered enough by it you can have it removed. It’s worth remembering that removing the ceiling in itself will cause a lot more dirt and dust around your home, at least while the work is being carried out. If you’re ok with that, then removing the ceiling is a good idea.

How can I tell if my popcorn ceiling has asbestos?

You can test a popcorn ceiling for the presence of asbestos by carefully scraping a small sample into a plastic bag and having it tested at an EPA-accredited lab. While homeowners are allowed to remove a popcorn ceiling that contains the material, a professional asbestos remediation company should do the job.

How do you sand a textured ceiling?

4 Key Tips for Sanding Stipple Make sure to get the ceiling checked for asbestos before starting this job. Ventilate well. Turn off your home’s A/C fan. Put down plastic. This job is a mess. Start sanding at slow speed and with fine grit paper. Increase grit and speed once you get the hang of it.

How much does it cost to smooth a textured ceiling?

The cost to texture walls and ceiling is $0.80 to $2.00 per square foot, which is $450 to $1,000 per bedroom and $600 to $1,400 for a living room. Retexturing walls cost $1.80 to $3.80 per square foot, including old texture removal. The cost to smooth textured walls is $1 to $3 per square foot.

What do you replace popcorn ceilings with?

One of the simplest alternatives to popcorn ceiling is replacing the drywall on your ceiling. You can either remove the popcorn ceiling first or simply add the drywall on top of your existing ceiling. While your ceiling will be a little bit lower than it was before, it will be hardly noticeable.