Popcorn ceilings are common in Ann Arbor homes and condominiums from the 1960s to the 1980s. Texture from before about 1980 should be tested for asbestos before anyone scrapes it. Once it is cleared, we remove the texture, repair and skim the drywall and paint a smooth ceiling.
Sprayed popcorn ceilings went into many Ann Arbor houses, condominiums and apartments built from the 1960s into the 1980s, and into some older homes during remodels. People remove them because they hold dust, are hard to patch after a leak and make rooms look darker. Removal means protecting the room, wetting and scraping the texture, repairing the drywall underneath, then priming and painting a smooth ceiling. Most rooms take a few days from start to finish.
Testing comes first. Ceiling texture sprayed before about 1980 may contain asbestos, and you cannot tell by looking. A lab test on a small sample settles it. If the result is positive, the ceiling should be left alone and sealed, or removed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. That is not painter's work. If the ceiling has been painted, it will not soften with water and takes much longer to scrape.
What is under the texture decides the rest of the job. Builders often sprayed popcorn to hide rough drywall joints, so a skim coat is usually needed to get a flat ceiling. We cover floors and walls with plastic, since the work is messy, and prime the bare surface before two finish coats. You get a written quote after we see the rooms and know the test result. Light fixtures and vents are taken down or masked first.
Popcorn ceiling removal in Ann Arbor: common questions
Does my popcorn ceiling need an asbestos test before removal?
If it was applied before about 1980, yes. A lab test on a small sample is the only way to know. We do not scrape a ceiling of that age without a test result.
Can a popcorn ceiling be painted and left in place?
Yes. If it is firmly attached and you are happy with the look, it can be sprayed or gently rolled. Painting it does make later removal harder.
Will the ceiling be smooth afterward?
Yes, once the joints are repaired and skimmed. The drywall under popcorn was rarely finished to a paint-ready level, so some skim coating is normal.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.