Any one have experience removing popcorn ceiling- DIY?

[Emmentaler]

We are considering putting in an offer on a house that has popcorn ceilings everywhere.  The house in general will need a lot of reno, so it makes sense to me to re-do the ceilings before any of the other work is done.  Originally we planned on having a contractor do it, but might try to do it ourselves, along with other demo, to save some money.  We've done demo and reno before, but never removed a popcorn ceiling.  If we don't put in an offer on this house, there are others we are considering, several with popcorn ceiling, so I'm still interested in any advice.

I know it's a huge PITA and that it would have be tested for asbestos as the house was built in the 60s.

Has anyone removed the popcorn ceiling themselves?  Is it too much of a hassle and better to have a professional do it?

Any tips, suggestions (besides don't do it)?

This is kind of a post  and run as I have a four-hour meeting coming up, but I'll check back later this afternoon.

TIA for any comments, suggestions, etc.

[Deleted]

We did. It is a PITA and a mess. You absolutely have to do it while the home is empty. Don't do it if you have carpets and change your air filters after you do it. You would not believe the amount of dust it creates.

Professional.   Or don't do it. 

If we ever decide we can't live with popcorn again, we will simply cover the ceiling with very thin drywall and call it a day.

[Deleted]

We didn't do upstairs because of the carpet. I don't even notice it really and now regret even fooling with the bottom.

Is it speckled or swirly with a pattern? Ours is the swirly pattern and I still say leave it.

[theseaword]

I'm a popcorn embracer.

[fireflycaptain]

I've done it and it's awful. If ever faced with it again I'll be hiring a professional.

[McBenny]

We did it before and it was hell on earth. It wasn't that old and there were no health concerns and we said fuck it in the rest of the rooms at the time. That is how bad it was for us. This is definitely something on my list that I would pay someone to do.

[hedgehog]

Jan 22, 2015 11:37:47 GMT -5 @marlasinger said:

We did. It is a PITA and a mess. You absolutely have to do it while the home is empty. Don't do it if you have carpets and change your air filters after you do it. You would not believe the amount of dust it creates.

Professional.   Or don't do it. 

If we ever decide we can't live with popcorn again, we will simply cover the ceiling with very thin drywall and call it a day.

this. We have removed some, redrywalled others. 

Just live with it, or pay a pro to drywall over it. 

[Emmentaler]

Jan 22, 2015 11:37:47 GMT -5 @marlasinger said:

We did. It is a PITA and a mess. You absolutely have to do it while the home is empty. Don't do it if you have carpets and change your air filters after you do it. You would not believe the amount of dust it creates.

Professional.   Or don't do it. 

If we ever decide we can't live with popcorn again, we will simply cover the ceiling with very thin drywall and call it a day.

We have considered if this was a possibility.  I think this might be a good alternative.  Thanks!

[Emmentaler]

Jan 22, 2015 11:45:25 GMT -5 @marlasinger said:

We didn't do upstairs because of the carpet. I don't even notice it really and now regret even fooling with the bottom.

Is it speckled or swirly with a pattern? Ours is the swirly pattern and I still say leave it.

It's speckled at least in a couple of the houses. I'm not sure what the swirly is, so I don't think it's that.

[Emmentaler]

Thanks for the advice, all! This was very informative and I may just learn to embrace the popcorn. And it might come back in style as super retro, right???

I think it's a bit pricey to have a professional do it because it's time consuming and hellish. There are so many other things that I want to spend the money on. If we can't live with it, then we'll probably see if we can drywall over it.

Thanks again!

[goldenbird]

My bff did it and said she'd never do it herself again and would pay someone, and she's a huge cheapskate when it comes to spending money on stuff like that. GL if you do it yourself! Very time consuming for sure.

[bonzo2012]

We had to have it removed at our old condo because some of it was crumbling and the building was old enough that there was likely asbestos. We had to pay professionals due to condo regulations because of the presence of asbestos. It was expensive, but the smooth ceilings were so much nicer!

[overture]

I've done it, and would do it again. Thick plastic sheeting taped like a bag on the walls and floors, a hose, a trowel, and a face mask. Pain in the neck (literally) but not that big of a deal.

Edit: That said, I wouldn't do it myself unless it wouldn't get done otherwise because of budget.

[thebay]

Omg fuck that shit. Drywall all the way.

[overture]

Also, if you're DIYing whatever solution you choose, consider that hanging drywall over the ceiling is still going to be a huge pain in the ass.

[thebay]

Jan 22, 2015 18:23:40 GMT -5 overture said:

Also, if you're DIYing whatever solution you choose, consider that hanging drywall over the ceiling is still going to be a huge pain in the ass.

This is very true. I would hire if it was at all in the budget.

[Emmentaler]

Jan 22, 2015 18:23:40 GMT -5 overture said:

Also, if you're DIYing whatever solution you choose, consider that hanging drywall over the ceiling is still going to be a huge pain in the ass.

We wouldn't do the drywall ourselves. I have limited experience drywalling- it's super heavy- and I don't trust our skill to do a ceiling. Plus, there are beams on 12 foot ceilings; it'd be a major PITA for sure.

[penguino11]

My dad did it on their house but it was done while it was gutted and before they put in new hard wood floors. He said it wasn't that hard and he's not a contractor by any means. He just used a spray bottle of water and a scraper.

[penguino11]

Oh, and also have it tested for asbestos first if you diy

[kristhegirl]

I don't know how this is true, but the dust is worse than drywall dust. If you can do the wet removal technique, do that. It doesn't always work, though, I think depending on the original application and possibly the age.

And yes, test for asbestos - if it's positive you have to do wet removal so you don't kill yourself. (Please don't kill yourself.)