Safely scrape off ceiling popcorn to update your home

Popcorn ceilings, which were a fixture in homes from the 1950s to ’70s, can make a space feel dated. Here's how you can update your home by scraping off ceiling popcorn yourself:

First, test your ceilings for asbestos. “You do not want to ingest or inhale the dangerous fibers that can come loose during your project,” says BobVila.com. “If an at-home test reveals that your popcorn does contain asbestos, leave any alterations to the pros.”

If tests show your ceilings are asbestos-free, it’s time to get to work.

For this popcorn-removal method, you’ll need:

• Some clear tarp

• A ladder or stool

• A spray bottle, portable pressure sprayer or damp towel

• A flat-edged metal scraper

• A putty knife

• Primer and paint

1.Clear and protect the space. Remove as much furniture as possible from the room you’re de-popcorning. Lay the tarp so that it covers the floor, radiators, remaining furniture and anything else completely. Using duct tape, seal the seams of the tarp together. Using painter’s tape, secure the tarp to the wall. Now, this concave plastic sheet should catch all falling debis.

2. Moisten the ceiling. Using either a spray bottle or portable pressure sprayer filled with water, wet a square area of the ceiling.

3. Scrape. Hold a flat-edged metal scraper to the ceiling at an angle and gently slide the popcorn texture off. Use a putty knife to tackle hard-to-reach edges. Note: Wear a mask and eye protection as debris and dust will fall during this step. When your ceiling is free of popcorn, bundle up the debris-filled tarp and throw it out.

4. Finish up. Use a spackling compound to fill and sand any ceiling holes. Wipe the ceiling smooth with a damp cloth. Prime the bare ceiling and paint it.

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