Popcorn Ceiling Services

Popcorn ceilings became a thing back in the 1970's when it was discovered that builders could save money on properly finishing ceilings by spraying texture instead. While the glamor of popcorn is gone, there are practical uses for popcorn ceilings besides the aesthetics.

Popcorn is excellent at hiding defects and absorbing sound. Whether that be cracks that can't be repaired, or damage to the ceiling thats too costly to fix properly. Often times, its far cheaper to repair a damaged popcorn ceiling and then paint it, than it is to remove it.

Popcorn Ceiling Repair

Some people like their popcorn ceiling because it helps absorb sound, and hides defects in the ceiling or they like how it looks. This is especially true if the ceiling(s) have cracks or other damage that can’t be fixed. In these cases, they may not want the popcorn removed; they just need some repairs made to it.

We are capable of making any needed repairs to your popcorn ceilings, using the same method which was used when the popcorn was applied initially. Spraying popcorn requires special equipment. You can not duplicate the texture of a popcorn ceiling using a spray can from a big box store.

Repairing a Popcorn Ceiling the Right way

Applying popcorn texture demands specialized equipment that many painting contractors are hesitant to acquire. It also necessitates significant upper body strength to manage the hopper without spilling it all on the floor. Popcorn texture has the consistency of watery oatmeal, so it splatters easily, sticks to everything, and is overall very messy.

If you recently had plumbing work, or other damage to your popcorn ceilings, we can make the repairs, and then spray popcorn, then paint the ceiling.

Repairing popcorn ceilings is pretty straightforward, just requires a couple of extra steps. We remove the existing popcorn around the damage to ensure our patches are as smooth and flat as possible. Then we spot prime our patches. Once we are happy with the patch, and its primed, we require the use of a 20amp outlet for our air compressor (which stays in the truck, its heavy and very noisy), then we run hoses and spray the new texture. As soon as the texture is sprayed, we clean up everything. The ceiling must dry before we can paint it, usually about a day.

Typically, it takes 1-2 hours to set up to spray popcorn, 10-15 minutes to spray popcorn, and then 1-2 hours to clean up

Often times, a new water stain will appear with in a day or two around the newly sprayed texture. This is normal. We spot prime the new texture with oil based primer, then paint the ceiling with latex ceiling paint to ensure a uniform color, sheen, and texture.

Depending on the size of the repair, priming the patches / ceiling, and painting the same may take more than one day. The reason for this is due to the nature of popcorn. Once it becomes saturated, it will peal off the ceiling. Which is why every step must thoroughly dry before moving to the next step. There is no rushing the process.

Painting Popcorn Ceilings

We paint popcorn ceilings all the time. A lot of painting contractors prefer not to paint popcorn ceilings due to the extra work and costs involved. For one, it ruins the roller cover. Also requires more prep, its messy, as it rains popcorn when you roll it. It also requires about 50% more paint.

It can take twice as long to paint a popcorn ceiling vs a smooth ceiling!

The 'cut in' or edging as some call it, must fully dry prior to rolling paint on the ceiling. Which can add significant time to the job. When you roll the ceiling, you roll into the 'cut in', you run the risk of pealing the popcorn off the ceiling (bad). If its fully dry, this typically wont happen. If its at all wet or damp, it can and will peal! We will often run lots of fans to speed up drying, however are limited due to the plastic blowing around.

When you roll paint on a popcorn ceiling, some of the texture does come off in the form of small white gobs that sticks to everything. Its messy. You can clearly tell who rolled the ceiling. For this reason, we ask that the homeowner limit their incursion into the work area as much as possible during the painting process.

Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Depending on the age of your home, is the biggest factor in determining if your popcorn has asbestos. You shouldn't scrape or sand a popcorn ceiling dry. Not only is that dusty and dirty, but you could make potential asbestos airborne which is detrimental to your health. When we remove popcorn, we use water, and a lot of it, and scrape it off wet. Its messy, but its the safest, easiest way to remove it.

Take note that removing a popcorn ceiling will often impact the walls directly beneath it. Meaning the top corners often need to be repaired where the wall meets the ceiling. Just be aware of this.

This shows an 'easy off' Popcorn Ceiling Removal

They are NOT all this easy!! The fan doesnt work and was replaced after we were done

Covering Popcorn Ceilings

Sometimes it may be easier, and possibly cheaper, to just go over the ceiling with new drywall. It needs to be noted that putting new drywall over an existing popcorn ceiling may not rid the ceiling of defects. Meaning that the waviness of the existing ceiling may be exacerbated with new drywall. This is especially true with plaster ceilings

We do not install new drywall ceilings at this time.