Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: Getting rid of a stippled ceiling

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Wallboard/Veneer Plaster
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 26 Mar 2001
Time: 08:47 PM

Comments

Is your ceiling a sprayed acoustical ceiling, sometimes called "cottage cheese" ceiling? If so, an earlier BuildersTALK reference is available at:

http://www.builderswebsource.com/_discBT/000000a5.htm

Another consideration is the age of the structure. Asbestos was commonly used in many sprayed ceilings and it was also used in drywall mud and taping compound. Therefore, before you begin creating a huge airborne mess that's potentially dangerous, you may want to have the ceiling tested for asbestos. If your home is relatively new, then asbestos has been banned in many countries for the past decade (varies country by country and product by product).

Conceptually, the key is to scrape off the existing rough texture using a wet mist to soften the coating along with a large putty knife. Once the rough surface has been smoothed out, you will often need to apply at least a thin layer of veneer plaster or drywall compound over the entire surface, followed by sanding to a smooth finish.

Alternatively, if your ceiling is not the "cottage cheese" type, but rather a skip-troweled surface texture, then you can try sanding down the high points and recoating with a fresh layer of mud.

This is painstaking work and very messy. We had it done professionally to our home many years ago. Fine white dust was airborne for weeks after the job was complete, even though reasonable care was taken to isolate each room with plastic sheeting. Dust infiltrated everything, including our clothes, furniture, carpeting, etc. The powder is so fine it is very difficult to confine.

Personally, this is one of those jobs I would leave to professionals experienced in this trade. If you plan to do it yourself, get a high quality respirator. You don't want to inhale the dust, asbestos or not.

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