Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Popcorn ceilings — the textured acoustic finish that was standard in homes built from the 1960s through the 1990s — are one of the most common upgrade requests in San Diego. Ross Painting Group removes popcorn texture and leaves a smooth, skim-coated ceiling ready for paint. The result transforms rooms immediately: they look larger, brighter, and more contemporary.

Our popcorn ceiling removal process starts with an important safety check. Homes built before 1978 may contain asbestos in their acoustic texture, and that texture must be tested by a certified lab before disturbance. We discuss this with every client on pre-1978 homes and can coordinate testing. Post-1978 homes are generally safe for standard removal.

For the removal itself, we wet the texture thoroughly with a garden sprayer to soften it, then scrape it clean with wide drywall blades. Floors, walls, and fixtures are protected completely before we begin. After scraping, the ceiling typically has tool marks and inconsistencies that need a skim coat — one to two thin coats of joint compound applied and sanded between coats to achieve a true drywall-smooth surface.

The finished ceiling is primed with PVA drywall primer to seal the new compound and ensure even sheen, then painted with quality ceiling white. The transformation is dramatic — clients consistently say their rooms look completely different after smooth ceilings are installed.