Popcorn ceilings: test first, then remove or repair
Quick answer
Popcorn ceilings from the 1950s to 1980s can contain asbestos, so have a sample lab-tested before any scraping. If it is clear, the texture can be softened, scraped and the ceiling refinished.
Textured "popcorn" or acoustic ceilings were common in American homes built from the 1950s into the 1980s, including many of Monterey Park's mid-century hillside houses. The bumpy spray-on finish hid imperfections, softened echo and was fast to apply. Today, most owners find it dated, hard to clean and prone to dropping flakes.
Removing it can transform a room. But in homes of this age, there is a step that comes before any scraping, and it matters.
Test for asbestos first
Some popcorn ceiling textures from this period contain asbestos. You cannot tell by looking. The only way to know is to have a sample tested by an accredited lab.
Intact asbestos-containing material that is left alone is generally considered lower risk; disturbing it by scraping, sanding or drilling can release fibers into the air.
Testing is usually simple. A small sample is taken and sent to a lab. If the result shows asbestos, removal should be handled by a certified abatement contractor under the applicable rules. If it does not, removal can go ahead as normal renovation work.
Older paint layers can also contain lead. If your ceiling has been painted, it is worth testing for that too.
Other reasons to look before you scrape
- Painted texture. Popcorn that has been painted is much harder to remove because the paint seals the texture against water.
- Water stains. Brown rings point to a past or present roof or plumbing leak. Fix the cause first.
- Sagging areas. These can mean the drywall behind the texture is damaged.
- Vaulted and beamed ceilings. Many hillside homes have sloped or beamed ceilings, which take more setup and care around wood trim.
Your options
Remove it. After testing comes back clear, the texture is softened with water and scraped off. The drywall underneath is then repaired and finished with a smooth or light texture.
Cover it. In some cases, new drywall can be installed over the existing ceiling. This avoids disturbing the texture, but it adds weight and changes trim details.
Repair and keep it. Small damaged areas can be patched with a matching spray texture and painted, which is the simplest choice if you do not mind the look.
What you can do yourself
Order a test kit or arrange testing first. Until you have results, avoid scraping, sanding, drilling or hanging things from the ceiling.
If the test is clear and you want to do it yourself, plan for a lot of mess. You will need to empty the room, cover floors and walls with plastic, turn off the HVAC, and work carefully on a ladder. Most people underestimate the drywall finishing afterward; scraped ceilings almost always need skim coating to look good.
When to call us
- Your test is clear and you want the texture removed
- Painted popcorn that will not come off easily
- A stained or damaged section that needs patching
- High, vaulted or beamed ceilings
- You want a smooth or light-textured ceiling finished and painted
A note on painting instead
If testing comes back positive or you simply do not want the mess, painting is a fair option. Use a thick-nap roller and a flat ceiling paint, apply light coats, and do not overwork the texture, since wet popcorn can loosen and fall. Encapsulating with paint is not removal, so keep a record of the test result for any future buyer or contractor.
What our popcorn ceiling job involves
We confirm that testing has been done and the results are clear before starting. Then we protect the room: furniture out or covered, floors and walls sealed with plastic, vents covered, and fixtures removed or protected.
We mist the texture to soften it and scrape it off with wide blades, collecting the debris as we go. Once it is off, we inspect the drywall, fix damaged tape seams, set loose fasteners and patch gouges. We then skim coat as needed to create a smooth surface, or apply a light texture if you prefer, prime, and paint.
On beamed or sloped ceilings, we mask wood carefully and work around it by hand. Our popcorn ceiling removal page has more, and drywall repair and painting touch-ups are part of the finish.
What smooth ceilings change in a mid-century room
Many hillside homes in Monterey Park have long, low rooms with a wall of windows facing the view. Popcorn texture catches low-angle light from those windows and makes every bump and seam stand out, especially in the late afternoon. A smooth or lightly textured ceiling reflects light more evenly, and in a room with clerestory windows or a sloped ceiling, it makes the space feel taller and brighter.
It also makes the ceiling far easier to clean and repaint later, since dust and cobwebs no longer cling to the texture.
Choosing a finish
A perfectly smooth ceiling, sometimes called a level 5 finish, takes the most work and shows the most light. A light skip trowel or orange peel texture hides small imperfections and suits many mid-century homes. We will show you samples and talk through what fits the room before we start finishing.
While the ceiling is open
Ceiling work is a good time to swap a light fixture, retrofit recessed cans to LED, or replace a ceiling fan, since the room is already prepped. If you have been meaning to do any of those, mention it.
Living through it
Plan for the room to be out of use for the duration of the work and for paint to cure. Keep pets and kids out of the work area. And ask for a clear schedule, so you know when furniture can go back.
Text a photo of your ceiling, any stains, and your test results to (626) 684-3505.
On popcorn ceiling days, a quick bánh mì from Bánh Mì Hòa Phát on North Garfield is about the only lunch that fits between coats.
Want us to handle it?
Call or text (626) 684-3505, Mon–Sat, 8:30 AM–7 PM. Send a photo and we will give you an upfront quote.
Call or text (626) 684-3505