Removing a textured ceiling is a difficult and labor-intensive process. One of the most important stages is the preparation phase, as you will need to scrape the entire textured ceiling using a scraper. There is also the cleaning process and preparing the ceiling for the new project. In this article, we explain how to remove a textured ceiling step by step and highlight the key points you should pay attention to during this process.
How to Remove Textured Ceiling?
The best way to remove a textured ceiling is with a hard, sharp, and sturdy scraper. The sturdy, long handle of this scraper makes the scraping process much easier. As you can imagine, scraping the ceiling can be tiring, so you’ll need strong arms and shoulders.
You will also need to take time to clean up the dust generated during the scraping. Therefore, it’s important to take safety precautions before you begin, both for cleaning and for your own protection. After the scraping is complete, you may also need to prepare the ceiling for the new application. We outline all these steps in detail below.
Approximate time needed to scrape the textured ceiling of a room of about 16 square meters: 8 hours
Prepare the Ceiling
Before you start scraping the textured ceiling, you should remove any ceiling fixtures. Get rid of obstacles that will slow you down. This will help you move faster. Remove the ceiling fixtures and cut the power to eliminate the danger of the cables.
Cover the Floor
Cover the furniture with a drop cloth. This will help eliminate most of the dust generated during the scraping process. Even if there is no furniture in the room, you can reduce the cleaning time by taping drop cloths to the floor.
Protect Yourself from Dust
Wear overalls, dust mask and goggles. The dust may contain asbestos. You must wear a mask to avoid exposure to very harmful asbestos. Work goggles are also very useful to protect your eyes from dust.
Use a Quality Scraper with a Long Handle
Use a scraper with a sturdy tip and a long handle. Your arms and shoulders will become tired when scraping the textured ceiling. A scraper of good quality, equipped with an adjustable handle, will significantly ease the job.
Work in Multiple Directions
Scrape in different directions. If scraping is difficult in one direction, change direction. If the scraping is very difficult, spray the ceiling before you start scraping. Let the water soak into the rough ceiling for about half an hour. This will make it easier to scrape and get rid of dust.
Check if The Ceiling is Smooth Enough
After scraping, check that the ceiling is smooth enough and, if necessary, sand and smooth some areas. Wipe the entire ceiling with a damp cloth.
Apply Primer Paint
Use primer paint. Once the ceiling is sufficiently leveled, use the appropriate primer for your new project. If you are considering a coating, you may not need a primer.
Clean the Dust
After all the scraping is done, start cleaning. Even if you cover the floor and furniture, dust will still get into some parts. Therefore, cleaning is also necessary. Remember that dust can also cling to the walls. Remove dust from the walls and floor. “For detailed information, you can read: how to clean walls without leaving streaks?”
