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How do you get rid of stomped ceilings?

Author

Emily Carr

Published Mar 04, 2026

How do you get rid of stomped ceilings?

If you can't remove all of the texture or if the underlying ceiling is not as smooth as you imagined, apply a skim coat of drywall joint compound on the whole ceiling with a wide-blade drywall finishing knife. Sand the skim-coated ceiling lightly after the joint compound dries, if necessary.

Just so, how do you remove a textured plaster ceiling?

Fill a garden sprayer with hot water. Saturate a small, manageable area of the ceiling with water. Allow the water to soften the texture for a few seconds and then scrape it off with a 3-inch, beveled edge putty knife. Don't force the texture off.

Also Know, can you scrape textured ceilings? If the ceiling is painted white, drywall finishers sometimes leave texture unpainted, and when they do, you can remove it by wetting and scraping it. When the texture has a coat of paint, though, you usually have to sand the texture off because the paint seals out the water.

Accordingly, how much does it cost to remove textured ceiling?

The average cost to remove popcorn ceiling is between $1,010 and $2,260 with most homeowners spending about $1,710. Contractors typically charge $1 to $2 per square foot for removal of popcorn ceilings.

How do you remove a popcorn ceiling without scraping it?

For easier scraping and practically no dust during popcorn ceiling removal, use a garden pump sprayer to mist the ceiling and let it soak in for about 15 minutes before scraping. Only give it a light misting—too much water could damage the drywall or loosen the joint tape.

How do you flatten a textured ceiling?

Scoop a small amount of the joint compound off the hawk using the taping knife, and then apply it in thin, smooth coats over the textured ceiling. This technique requires multiple coats, so don't feel the need to fill in all the low spots on the first pass. Wait roughly 45 minutes for the first coat to dry.

How long does it take to remove popcorn ceiling?

If you go with traditional methods — that is, scraping and removing, then resurfacing your ceilings — and hire a professional, you can expect approximately 20 hours of work to remove and replace your popcorn ceiling a 500sq foot area.

How do you remove a textured painted ceiling?

Removing a Painted Popcorn Ceiling
  1. To help breakdown the paint, spray a mixture of one part vinegar to ten parts water on the surface of the ceiling.
  2. Use a 4-inch utility knife/type scraper to remove the material. This method is messy and slow, but it works.

Do smooth ceilings add value?

Rather, a property's overall condition and appearance will dictate the value more than a single item, Ford added. “A freshly scraped ceiling may add zero value if the entire interior needs new paint and everything else about the house is outdated.”

Are smooth ceilings worth it?

Smooth ceilings are nice but not important. If it's not offered, it's not worth the upgrade cost unless you're planning to live there for a very long time and you really prefer smooth ceilings.

How many skim coats do I need for a ceiling?

It's an easy way to create flat and uniform surfaces on walls and ceilings so they can be painted or re-textured. As a rule of thumb, you should apply at least two skim coats to achieve a smooth and consistent surface. Below, you will find the top five reasons to apply a skim coat to your walls or ceiling.

Which direction should you roll a ceiling?

The first thing you need to decide is what direction you are going to roll. You want to keep it consistent on the entire ceiling. Most people agree that the best strategy is to roll toward (parallel with) the prevailing source of natural light, such as a big window. This prevents any roller lines from showing up.

How much does it cost to skim coat a ceiling?

Cost to Skim Coat
Item detailsQtyLow
Unused Minimum Labor Balance of 4 hr(s) minimum labor charge that can be applied to other tasks.0.0 h$0
Totals - Cost To Skim Coat500 SF$459
Average Cost per Square Foot$0.92

Are textured ceilings outdated?

Although textured ceilings are currently used in many homes, some people might view its appearance as outdated or unappealing. If you're looking to make your house look as contemporary as possible, this is something to keep in mind.

How long does it take to skim coat a ceiling?

The average setting time of a skim coat is about 2 hrs but in colder weather can take longer . So for 4 walls and a ceiling I would allow a day and a half for that size room in my estimations .

Can you plaster over stipple ceiling?

If you have decided to plaster over your stippled ceiling weather it is the living, bed or bathroom. Make sure you have covered the entire floor surface with dust sheets as this can be a messy job. I would always suggest two coats of PVA solution as you will get an excellent seal to the ceiling.

Is there a tool to remove popcorn ceiling?

A scraper: Any 6- to 10-inch drywall knife will work as a scraper, but to make life easier, Lipford suggests a special popcorn scraper tool from Homax ($21.99, Homax), which has a loop to attach a garbage bag, so you can scrape right into the bag instead of onto the floor.

What is so bad about popcorn ceilings?

Popcorn ceiling is a friable material — meaning it is very easy to damage. Friable asbestos materials release toxic dust at the slightest disturbance. Inhaling asbestos dust is what can lead to serious diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

How much does it cost to remove popcorn from the ceiling?

Removing a popcorn ceiling and replacing with knockdown averages $1 to $2 per square foot in labor, materials and equipment, like an automatic texture sprayer. Depending on where you live and the square footage of your ceiling, you can expect to pay an average of $500 to $1000.

How much value does removing popcorn ceiling add?

Schutte estimates that removing a popcorn ceiling would add $25,000 to $35,000 in value for a large estate executive home. For a home of about 1,400 square feet costing about $200,000, he estimates an added value of about $2,500—essentially, close to what a homeowner might put into the project.

How do you smooth popcorn ceilings?

When scraping popcorn ceilings, you'll want to use a 4-inch utility knife or a drywall knife to chip away at the texture and create a smooth surface. You'll probably need to skim it with a thin layer of joint compound to smooth out imperfections, then sand it smooth before repainting.

How do you make popcorn ceilings look good?

9 Options to Remove, Hide or Play Down a Popcorn Ceiling
  1. Ceiling Scraping.
  2. Ceiling Replacement.
  3. Covering Stucco.
  4. Beadboard. Classic beadboard makes a charming ceiling treatment, and not just in a rustic cottage.
  5. Warm wood. If you're not into painted beadboard, try multitonal wood for a rich, inviting treatment that's great for a den or sitting area.
  6. Pressed tin.
  7. Other Options.

Can you sand textured ceilings?

If the push broom doesn't penetrate the paint, you have two options: Sand off the texture with a drywall sander and create clouds of dust, or skim coat over the texture with fresh joint compound to make a smooth surface. Drywall finishers often do a rudimentary taping job if they expect the ceiling to be textured.