Last week, I started the remodel by scraping off the popcorn ceiling texture. The most recommended way to scrape a ceiling was to wet the popcorn with water, let soak for a up to 15 minutes and then scrape. However, I read one article that recommended against it. I thought I would follow the waterless recommendation because I felt it was less invasive and prevented any possible water damage.
Surprisingly, it wasn't so bad, it just took a really long time. Texture comes off really easily if not located upon a seam (please correct me if I'm using the wrong vocabulary) connecting pieces of drywall. However, it is really hard if it is. You've got to scrape and scrape and scrape to get texture off of it because it's made its home there. It took me about 5.5 hrs to prep and scrape the ceiling in the master bedroom.
I think I was sore for about three days afterwards. My right shoulder, which doesn't have any problems, started to hurt. I had to lay off working on the condo for a few days plus pop Ibuprofen round-the-clock for that rest period for my shoulder to get back into shape! This little event helped to tell me that I'm getting old and my body isn't like what it used to be.
I went back to work on the guest bedroom and I decided I was going to start from the center of the room and try the water method because scraping the ceiling dry was taking too long and was too physically taxing. I arranged my scaffold and two sawhorses in a X pattern so I could cover the maximum amount of area without having to reposition them. Then I lightly sprayed water on the ceiling. It left minimal watermarks on the drywall and helped to loosen the texture from the ceiling. I was able to complete the entire room in 2.5 hrs. I'm definitely going to spray from here on out!
Thereafter, I started to heavily spray the texture, which led to even easier removal. It did leave some watermarks but I figured it would be fine. Other have done so and so far, I haven't heard any negative experiences having done so.
I visited the condo 3 more times and was able to finish about 95% of the ceiling scraping. Special thanks to Paul M. for helping me out one night. It really sped up the completion of the ceiling demolition.
I think in total, it's taken about 15-16 hrs to scrape about 900 sq. ft. of ceiling texture. Now I really understand how construction to take so long. This is just the first phase and I haven't even gotten to painting or installing anything. I'm still taking stuff out!
I'm also learning that preparation helps to make a good finished product. For example, I should have sealed off non-work areas with plastic. I didn't do this to our kitchen so now there's a small layer of dust on our stove and dishwasher. I'm worried the dust might have damaged them but I think they'll be fine. I'm planning on cleaning them up and then putting them in our garage until the conclusion of the kitchen installation. If I had put up plastic between the rooms then I wouldn't have had this concern. In order to achieve the best results, I need to learn to slow down and include preparation as an important phase of any project.
Surprisingly, it wasn't so bad, it just took a really long time. Texture comes off really easily if not located upon a seam (please correct me if I'm using the wrong vocabulary) connecting pieces of drywall. However, it is really hard if it is. You've got to scrape and scrape and scrape to get texture off of it because it's made its home there. It took me about 5.5 hrs to prep and scrape the ceiling in the master bedroom.
I think I was sore for about three days afterwards. My right shoulder, which doesn't have any problems, started to hurt. I had to lay off working on the condo for a few days plus pop Ibuprofen round-the-clock for that rest period for my shoulder to get back into shape! This little event helped to tell me that I'm getting old and my body isn't like what it used to be.
I went back to work on the guest bedroom and I decided I was going to start from the center of the room and try the water method because scraping the ceiling dry was taking too long and was too physically taxing. I arranged my scaffold and two sawhorses in a X pattern so I could cover the maximum amount of area without having to reposition them. Then I lightly sprayed water on the ceiling. It left minimal watermarks on the drywall and helped to loosen the texture from the ceiling. I was able to complete the entire room in 2.5 hrs. I'm definitely going to spray from here on out!
Thereafter, I started to heavily spray the texture, which led to even easier removal. It did leave some watermarks but I figured it would be fine. Other have done so and so far, I haven't heard any negative experiences having done so.
I visited the condo 3 more times and was able to finish about 95% of the ceiling scraping. Special thanks to Paul M. for helping me out one night. It really sped up the completion of the ceiling demolition.
I think in total, it's taken about 15-16 hrs to scrape about 900 sq. ft. of ceiling texture. Now I really understand how construction to take so long. This is just the first phase and I haven't even gotten to painting or installing anything. I'm still taking stuff out!
The family room
The dining area and entry way
I'm also learning that preparation helps to make a good finished product. For example, I should have sealed off non-work areas with plastic. I didn't do this to our kitchen so now there's a small layer of dust on our stove and dishwasher. I'm worried the dust might have damaged them but I think they'll be fine. I'm planning on cleaning them up and then putting them in our garage until the conclusion of the kitchen installation. If I had put up plastic between the rooms then I wouldn't have had this concern. In order to achieve the best results, I need to learn to slow down and include preparation as an important phase of any project.
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