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Thank you all so much for your advice! I have to say - I'm a bit worried about what I'm going to find underneath - but it's already falling off in some places so I might as well just take it all off and see what happens!
Get a pump sprayer,fill it with warm water,hose her (the cieling) down,about 2' x 2' sections at a time,using a plastic scraper,take her down!!!! Medium size room should take no more than an hour or so.The underlying cieling needs to be handled by a professional wallboarder if you want it not to look foo-shizzle.
Thank you all so much for your advice! I have to say - I'm a bit worried about what I'm going to find underneath - but it's already falling off in some places so I might as well just take it all off and see what happens!
You're going to be fine.
As has already been said, get the pump sprayer & wet down the texture. It stuff will come off easily. If you want to speed up the job, get a drywall mud knife - either an 8" or 10". Just be careful, and use long deliberate strokes - not choppy little jabs.
http://www.all-wall.com/acatalog/Sheetrock-matrix-knife.jpg (broken link)
I'd suggest going to WalMart or Home Depot and getting a big CHEAP plastic tarp to cover the floor. Also, be sure to wear a mask.
Regardless of the condition of the ceiling under the popcorn texture, you'll just have to deal with it when you get there. I suspect that you'll find minor cracks and imperfections, all of which can be filled with drywall mud & lightly sanded.
It might not be bad under there, because it was popular. Although I cannot imagine why. We bought a vacation house in PA and the popcorn crap went up when the place was built.
you know, I complain about my house a lot but bumpy ceilings is one thing that it does NOT have! And for being plaster, they're not even all that cracked! (couple hairlines is all)
Get a pump sprayer,fill it with warm water,hose her (the cieling) down,about 2' x 2' sections at a time,using a plastic scraper,take her down!!!! Medium size room should take no more than an hour or so.The underlying cieling needs to be handled by a professional wallboarder if you want it not to look foo-shizzle.
That is what I have on my ceilings, and I know its new and does not have asbestos in it. If its falling off in hunks it could be old stuff... it doesn't do that easily. It should be tested before attacking it with the spray bottle. On home improvement shows they almost always redrywall it directly instead of disturbing it, especially old stuff.
I test sprayed a spot on my wall and apparently no priminging or sealing of the drywall was done when they sprayed it. It was futile, since you can still see the badly done drywall seames. Ah the joys of an old house bought in midremodle. So I say before you aim the spraybottle also check to see if your ceiling becomes a sponge.
I discovered a scraper on a pole removes most all the nubbies. It will make a mess but I have no carpet so sweeping isn't a problem. It won't be quite smooth but the walls are plastered so that will look fine. It will certainly look vastly improved.
If I could afford to do it myself I'd drywall over it and seal it up but that would involved removal of crown molding and more than I can do by myself, sigh...
My walls are a rough plaster finish I love and am going to attempt something like it in the kitchen on the walls, which got a quick coat of wall paint sans primer over the horrible drywall job. Wish me luck!
It really deends on how much you want to spend. We have them too so I researched our options. I believe you can remove them by spaying them with water and then scrapping the ceiling with a putty knife. Once all removed, you can evaluate the ceiling's condition and what options are available to you. I think the worst you will end up with is a ceiling finish that is not as bumpy as you previously had. Jay
Our painter removed ours so that's where I would start. After removing it you have to retexture and repaint so you may as well hire someone who can do it all at once.
That is what I have on my ceilings, and I know its new and does not have asbestos in it. If its falling off in hunks it could be old stuff... it doesn't do that easily. It should be tested before attacking it with the spray bottle. On home improvement shows they almost always redrywall it directly instead of disturbing it, especially old stuff.
I test sprayed a spot on my wall and apparently no priminging or sealing of the drywall was done when they sprayed it. It was futile, since you can still see the badly done drywall seames. Ah the joys of an old house bought in midremodle. So I say before you aim the spraybottle also check to see if your ceiling becomes a sponge.
I discovered a scraper on a pole removes most all the nubbies. It will make a mess but I have no carpet so sweeping isn't a problem. It won't be quite smooth but the walls are plastered so that will look fine. It will certainly look vastly improved.
If I could afford to do it myself I'd drywall over it and seal it up but that would involved removal of crown molding and more than I can do by myself, sigh...
My walls are a rough plaster finish I love and am going to attempt something like it in the kitchen on the walls, which got a quick coat of wall paint sans primer over the horrible drywall job. Wish me luck!
If you are talking about ceilings and not walls,the only reason why spray on would not come off is that someone has painted over them,thus sealing that crap on forever.In that case only option is really wallboard over it.NOT recommended to be done "in house",hire a pro.As regards old stuff,if there is asbestos in it,mask up with a real mask,wet it down thoroughly and go,OR,pay an asbestos abatement company massive amounts of money to have it removed.I served in the engine room of several WW2 and post war destroyers loaded with asbestos,knew enough even then to keep any opened insulation wet,and not one person I keep in touch with has ever had a medical problem stemming from exposure.No more dangerous than sanding your fiberglass boat.HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY!!!! up the IRISH!!!!
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