When it comes to all things related to how to remove popcorn ceilings from any living space, safety should always come first. Why? Simply because removing popcorn ceilings can be fussy and unsafe, especially with the presence of asbestos. Doing this type of job can be very frustrating because it can also get pretty messy. So, to remove popcorn ceiling safely and with a lot less fuss, there are do’s and don’ts as best practices.
Potential Dangers to Know About
As mentioned earlier, safety is extremely important when dealing with a popcorn ceiling. These drywall textures may contain asbestos and may even be coated with paint with lead content. Apparently, this was how things were done some decades ago. So, before dealing with popcorn, educate yourself about the potential dangers. Better yet, when in doubt, consult a professional.
The Environmental Protection Agency requires any person working in homes that were built before 1978 to be certified. This is particularly true if the work involves disrupting lead-based paints. This guideline in some states and localities are applied to lead and asbestos. This only means that when dealing with such materials, appropriate personal protective equipment is necessary. These equipment include goggles, dust respirators, dust masks, and hearing protectio
How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling: Do’s and Don’t’s
Once you have a clear understanding of what you may be dealing with, it is time to know the dos and don’ts for absolute safety.
Do’s
- Do communicate the presence of asbestos to the occupants and employees of the building. Remember that exposure to asbestos is considered high risk and is detrimental to people’s health. Also, this risk is only present if the material is disturbed in any way.
- Do contact certified asbestos inspectors. They will take samples of the materials that may contain asbestos. There are asbestos laboratories that will verify if the material contains asbestos or not.
- Do have with you a written evaluation from the asbestos inspector that specifies the location of asbestos. Included in this document should be the extent of damage as well as the recommendations for maintenance or approval.
- Do hire an asbestos abatement contractor. This avoids conflict of interest. It is recommended to hire a separate contractor from the one who obtained the samples. This gives that check-and-balance protocol for the most accurate results.
- Do obtain a contract, in black-and-white, before any abatement work begins.
- For employers, do provide respiratory protection to employees who may be working in areas with the presence of asbestos.
- Do consult with an accredited asbestos professional before any renovation, remodel or demolition project. Know that it is mandatory for businesses to obtain an asbestos inspection certification before any work is done related to construction.
Dont’s
- Don’t remove any materials yourself that you know may contain asbestos. Remember if asbestos is disturbed in the popcorn material, this is when problems begin. Once disturbed, asbestos fibers become airborne.
- Don’t dust, sweep, clean, or vacuum any debris that you suspect may have asbestos.
- Don’t tear, sand, scrape, nor drill holes in materials you know may have asbestos
- Don’t even attempt to level or remove asbestos flooring as well as its backing.
- Don’t track material through the house that may contain asbestos.
Helpful Tips in Removing Popcorn Ceiling
In removing popcorn, do remove any light fixtures and cover-up wiring. To avoid making a big mess, do run plastic sheeting all along your walls and floors. Secure these with tape. Do fill your tank sprayer with water, and only that. Don’t fill it so full that it is too heavy for you to carry. Do pump the pressure on your tank sprayer and aim the nozzle toward the ceiling. Do wear safety glasses or goggles to keep the water and popcorn from dripping into your eyes. Don’t be a rebel on this one.
Do put on a breathing mask. Do take the breathing mask detail seriously. Once you have done softening the popcorn material, it is time to scrape it off using a putty knife. Do let the water soak more if you feel that the material does not come down easily. You may also spray more water on the ceiling. Don’t think that scraping it constantly makes it easier to come down. Do believe that patience is a virtue. Just let the material soak a bit more until it becomes mush.
Don’t think that it is okay to leave small pieces of popcorn behind. Every piece has to go. If they dry up, do get them wet again and scrape them off. Once all popcorn has been scraped off, do allow the ceiling to dry fully. At this point, you may now apply spackle and lightly sand them once the spackle is dry. Finally, do prime your ceiling with the paint primer of your choice.