5 Popcorn Removal Mistakes that will Leave You with a Mess and a Headache
On the surface, popcorn removal looks like a pretty simple process, right? Most would assume that you don’t have to do much more besides scraping off the texture, throwing it away, and repainting. This overly simple perception of the process leads many homeowners to try and take care of the process themselves. However, lots of DIY-ers find themselves in over their heads after they get through a section or two.
If you’ve taken on a popcorn removal project of your own, you know it’s a time-consuming, messy, pain in the neck (sometimes literally!). Some people learn best by doing, but take it from us, any Tampa Popcorn Removal project would be better off left to the pros. Here are a few of the most common popcorn removal mistakes that leave homeowners with a mess on their hands.
Don’t paint just yet - you’re missing a step
One of the most common misconceptions about popcorn removal is that you can paint right on the drywall after you’re done scraping. Before you paint, you need to re-texture your drywall to both protect it and to eliminate the appearance of any blemishes. This is where we come across the misconception that smooth ceilings are easy to achieve. In reality, smooth ceilings are among the most difficult to install, because they need meticulous sculpting to create a clean, even surface. Many homeowners choose knockdown or orange peel texture for an affordable and eye-catching option.
Don’t skimp on the prep work
Anyone who has ever removed popcorn ceilings can tell you that the popcorn texture gets everywhere. That’s why preparation for the popcorn removal job is the most important part of the whole experience - and why it often takes the longest! It’s crucial to remove ceiling fixtures and fans and stash them separately. It’s also very important to cover all surfaces with plastic to keep the dust out. When we say all surfaces, we really mean all surfaces. Popcorn dust likes to lodge itself in grout, molding seams, and so on.
More spraying, less scraping
Picture this: You’ve sprayed your entire ceiling with water, and you’re on the ladder with your putty knife, when you find that the popcorn is still sticking on. What do you do? If you answered that you scrape harder, you’re putting your ceiling in danger of serious dents and blemishes. Popcorn Removal isn’t the type of home improvement job that just needs a little extra elbow grease. If you’ve sprayed your ceiling and find that the popcorn isn’t super easy to remove, that means you need to spray it down again. When the popcorn texture is thoroughly saturated, it should slough off fairly easily.
Tampa Popcorn Removal to get the job done right
Removing popcorn texture from your ceilings isn’t necessarily a difficult job, but it can be a frustrating one if you’re not prepared. After a day of scraping, you’ll probably find yourself with a sore neck and a lot to clean up. Why not leave this job to the professionals? Our Tampa popcorn removal team has the equipment and the experience to get the job done quickly, leaving your space free of debris and looking better than ever before. When you’re ready to schedule your consultation, give us a call.