The Sanding Solution To Remove Popcorn Ceilings That Isn't Worth It

Popcorn ceilings, though they were quite popular from the 1940s to the 1990s, are rather polarizing today. The textured design that once brought extra character to a space now feels dated to many. So, if you are looking to remove popcorn ceilings from your home, you are not alone. In fact, removal is so common that the internet is full of methods to restore these surfaces to their once-smooth appearance. One way to remove the texture is by sanding the ceiling smooth with a tool that is both an electric sander and a vacuum. While it may seem like a faster and cleaner solution for getting rid of ceiling texture, people who have tried the method report that it may be more trouble than it is worth due to the amount of dust it creates and the high cost of equipment.

These combination electric sanders and vacuums are meant to make the sanding process easier and more efficient by using power instead of elbow grease, and the vacuum attachment capability is there to suck up the dust and debris to keep the air clear and clean up after removal easier. If you're interested in the method, you'll want to know what it costs to remove a popcorn ceiling this way. 

Day rentals for one of these sanders costs about $60, and just buying one with long enough handles usually starts at around $100. You also need safety gear, such as a dust mask and protective eyewear, which may add to your total cost. Even if the numbers are within your budget, the opinions of others who have tried the method may convince you it's not worth it.

Although some people believe that the electric sander and shop vac combination is the best way to go about removing popcorn ceilings, many others disagree. While the vacuum is there to collect dust, it inevitably does not get everything. The amount that gets in the air and settles throughout the room can be frustrating, especially when you think you're investing in a tool that will prevent this issue. Electric sanding on a popcorn ceiling creates so much dust that users sometimes switch methods before the ceiling is done, even after paying for equipment.

While knowing how much dust there will be ahead of time may ease your frustration, you should also consider the level of difficulty. The electric sander may be able to grind down the texture with ease, but holding the machine up to your ceiling can be difficult. Sanders can be heavy and awkward to hold, making the process grueling. Along with maneuverability issues, there is a potential for damage to your ceiling from improper technique. 

Even if you manage to hoist the sander up and spend about an hour clearing most of the ceiling, you will have to go in with another method to get the edges and corners. Any spots that your sander doesn't smooth perfectly will also have to be scraped off or removed by hand, and if you have a low-quality sander, this could happen a lot. Overall, electric sanders with vacuums are probably not worth the cost and the clean-up, particularly when compared to a tried-and-true DIY method.

If you are still on the fence about getting an electric sander, the next step is to compare it to the classic method of simply scraping the texture off using a steel paint scraper. A 12-inch popcorn ceiling scraper with an attached bag to catch some debris costs about $20, which is about a third of the price of renting a sander for the day. A 12-inch steel blade taping knife is an even simpler tool for the job, and a good one costs only $15. Scraping can take about two to four hours per room, but you will save money.

Removing small bits of paint from the ceiling is bound to create a lot of debris, but there is a simple way to reduce the mess while manually scraping. All you need to do is spray some water on the ceiling. Misting the ceiling weighs down the popcorn, making it easier to remove, and it helps the dust particles clump together, which can make cleaning easier. There is even an unexpected laundry staple that makes popcorn ceiling removal easier, which could also be worth a try.

So, while the most high-tech option, the electric sander and vacuum combo, may sound great in theory, it is probably not worth it for DIYers looking to smooth out a ceiling. The classic water and scraper method is cheaper and easier, even if it can be time-consuming. No matter which method you choose, be sure to know the best method for testing your popcorn ceilings for asbestos so that your DIY removal is safe.