How to remove popcorn ceiling with a putty knife and water
By far the most popular method is using a putty knife and some water. It is dead simple.
Tools for the job
- Larger putty knife/drywall scraper (will be used as the popcorn ceiling removal tool)
- Spray bottle
- Plastic drop clothe
- Ladder or a tall step stool
- Safety glasses and a dust mask
Steps for getting rid of a popcorn ceiling
- It is tricky to remove popcorn ceiling without making a mess but it can be done. The key is to cover the room with a plastic drop cloth. It only costs a few bucks. If you have a hard time holding it in place, use a little bit of tape.
- Fill the spray bottle with water. Use the ladder and spray the ceiling with the bottle. Get it decently wet. Then use the edge of the putty knife to scrape the popcorn texture off. It shouldn’t take much effort to remove at this point. Use caution to not get the paper on the drywall very wet while removing the popcorn. It will make the repair process easier at the end.
- Clean up all the dust and debris by taking out the plastic drop clothe. You should be able to tie up the plastic like a garbage bag and bring it out the dumpster.
- Touch up any gouges or uneven areas with drywall compound. If you use the same putty knife, be sure to clean it off first.
- Depending on how you want the finish to look, you can texture the ceiling at after the drywall compound has dried.
- To finish up the job, prime and paint the ceiling.
