Yes, popcorn ceilings can be removed after they have been painted. Removing the ceiling is much easier if it has never been painted, but it can be removed either way.

What is the easiest way to remove painted popcorn ceiling?

Removing a Painted Popcorn Ceiling

  1. To help breakdown the paint, spray a mixture of one part vinegar to ten parts water on the surface of the ceiling.
  2. Use a 4-inch utility knife/type scraper to remove the material. This method is messy and slow, but it works.





How do you remove popcorn ceiling that’s been painted over?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It up 90% with hot water and then 10% with distilled white vinegar the cool thing about this is its acidic. So it will eat through the paint. Then you'd spray a section of the ceiling. Just like this.

Can you sand off painted popcorn ceiling?

Pros might take a different tack from a scraper when dealing with removing a painted popcorn ceiling. Some might pull out a drywall sander like the Festool Planex or the Makita cordless drywall sander. Coupled with a great dust extractor, these sanders make quick work of most popcorn ceilings.

How do you remove a painted textured ceiling?

How to Remove a Painted Stomp Textured Ceiling

  1. Cover the floor with plastic sheeting, and hang plastic in the doorways. …
  2. Scrape the ceiling with a hard-bristle push broom. …
  3. Fill a garden sprayer with water, pump it up and spray the ceiling thoroughly. …
  4. Scrape off the softened texture with a drywall knife.

What is the cheapest way to cover a popcorn ceiling?





Some of the cheapest options include covering it up with tongue-and-groove wood panels, drywall panels, prepared fiberboard ceiling planks/tiles, fabric, and paint patterns.

Is there a popcorn ceiling removal machine?

Attach POPeeze to your shop vacuum hose and a pole to make the difficult task of removing popcorn ceilings much easier!

Is it better to remove popcorn ceiling or cover it?

Due to removing a popcorn ceiling is time-consuming, messy, requires many skills, and has dangerous asbestos, covering it is the best option.

How do you remove a popcorn ceiling without scraping it?

How to Cover Ugly Popcorn Ceilings Without Scraping It Off

  1. Asbestos in popcorn ceiling material.
  2. Cover popcorn ceiling with drywall.
  3. Add wood panels or beadboard.
  4. Use a drop ceiling.
  5. Install metal ceiling tiles.
  6. Refresh the ceiling.



How hard is it to remove popcorn ceiling?

Removing a popcorn ceiling is a fairly easy and affordable DIY project that just requires some time and muscle. Should your ceiling need more TLC than just scraping and painting, there are also options for covering up popcorn ceilings, such as wood paneling, pressed tin tiles, or new drywall.

Is it worth it to remove popcorn ceiling?

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 long does popcorn ceiling removal take?



The popcorn easily peels right off. No need to power into it. With these long and even strokes my guy removed all the popcorn in less than 30 minutes with zero gouges in the drywall. If you do get any gouges, just use your putty knife to apply a little spackle or joint compound and smooth it out.

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.



Cost to texture drywall.

Project type Cost per square foot
Ceiling texture $1.00 – $2.00
Remove popcorn & retexture $1.80 – $3.80
Smooth textured walls $1.00 – $3.00

What is the difference between popcorn ceiling and textured ceiling?

A Brush Above



Popcorn or acoustic is different than textured ceilings. Textured ceilings implies a stomp or sprayed drywall mud finish.

Why do builders do popcorn ceilings?

The reason why popcorn ceilings are also called acoustic ceilings is because they are better at absorbing sound. This is in part because of the increased surface area due to all the raised bumps, which is said to help muffle noise.

Why do builders use popcorn ceiling?



During the era when textured ceilings were popular, builders used them in homes because they were inexpensive and could hide imperfections with ease. Popcorn ceilings were made to bolster the room’s acoustics via the reduction of ambient sounds and echoes.

Should you paint popcorn ceilings?

After enough time, popcorn ceilings begin to look dull, weary, and dated. Removing the popcorn texture coating is messy, but painting the popcorn ceiling is one way to bring back the ceiling’s sparkle and freshness for little cost and with minimal mess.

How can I tell if my popcorn ceiling has asbestos?

Unfortunately, you generally can’t tell whether a popcorn ceiling contains asbestos by examining it visually. If your home was built before the mid-1980s, there’s a good chance your popcorn ceiling has asbestos in it. The best way to determine if asbestos is present is to have your ceiling professionally tested.

How much does it cost to remove popcorn ceiling?

Popcorn ceiling removal cost ranges from around $898 to $2,847, with the average homeowner paying $1,853 for professional removal.

Will removing popcorn ceiling increase home value?



Removing popcorn ceilings will almost always increase a home’s value. Not only is the design trend no longer desirable, but it also poses safety concerns for home buyers. To understand further, it helps to learn more about why popcorn ceilings were once a popular design choice—as well as why they no longer are.

How do you change a popcorn ceiling to smooth?

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.