Popcorn ceilings were everywhere in homes built from the 1960s through the 1980s, and Cedar Rapids and Iowa City have plenty of them. Removing the texture is one of the most satisfying updates you can make to an older home.
Why Homeowners Remove It
Popcorn texture traps dust, is nearly impossible to clean, hides cracks and makes rooms feel dated. A smooth ceiling reflects more light and instantly makes the room feel newer and taller.
Test Older Ceilings First
Texture applied before the early 1980s can contain asbestos. If your home is from that era, a simple lab test tells you whether it is safe to scrape. If the test comes back positive, covering the ceiling with new drywall is the safer route.
What The Process Looks Like
The room is sealed in plastic, the texture is wetted and scraped, the ceiling is skim coated and sanded smooth, then primed and painted. Expect two to three days for a single room including drying time.
Painted Popcorn Is Harder
If the texture has been painted, water cannot soak in and it scrapes poorly. In those cases covering the ceiling with a new layer of drywall is often cleaner and faster than trying to remove it.
Want a price for your own project? Call or text First Line Solutions at (319) 560-1495 for a free estimate, or send us a message.
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