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My popcorn ceiling problem just got worse. I found out that have the hard plaster/stucco popcorn ceiling. I felt it and it is almost like the hardness of your stucco wall. Definitely not the soft stuff. I got three contractors to quote me on the cost of removal:
1st - $4500 - they will mud it with one thin layer, let it dry, mud it again with another layer. Then they sand and texture it with knock out. I was shocked with this quote so I got two other people to come.
2nd - $2700 - this guy will scrape it, he said it is hard but doable, and they mud it and sand if needed. He will add knockout texture afterward.
3rd - $3500 - this guy will put new drywall sheets over the popcorn ceiling, tape, mud and add orange peel finish.
I have no experience with this. Which solution do you think is the best?
It is kind of impossible to evaluate three different approaches to changing out the ceiling that each have VERY different levels of material cost and skill level.
I would probably want a nice SMOOTH ceiling if I was going to pay a whole bunch of dough for it. I might want to think about doing things like adding recessed lighting and in-ceiling sound systems of Atmos home theater if I was going through the trouble of having NEW drywall installed...
It makes a whole lot of sense to get an idea for how good or bad the neighboring homes are. I would not want to spend boatloads of cash to find out it won't matter to most buyers shopping in your area...
Did ANY of these contractors come via referrals? What if they are ALL overpriced and underskilled?
Second guy sounds like the best option. I am doing that now, actually. Option 1 seems kind of pointless because the mud might not stick well to uneven texture to begin with. Option 3 seems to add unnecessary weight in covering the issue up. Besides, option 2 is also the cheapest.
My 1920's house had damaged ceilings when I bought it. The contractor just installed new thinner drywall over the old stuff and it looks perfect. Then he added back or added new crown molding. It looks clean and (painted ceiling white) pristine. I think you should get different quotes just for this process since it may vary by quite a bit.
I would strongly suggest that as of now do nothing. The only popcorn ceiling that was hard like stucco was the old ceiling product that was loaded with asbestos. If the house was built before 1970, I'd have it tested before any removal. The difference being the methodology of the removal and cleanup. Hopefully you don't have asbestos but the hardness is an indicator of the asbestos type.
If you have asbestos positive in the ceiling materials, do not cover it up with more drywall or allow it to be covered with anything until it has been completely removed or encapsulated. Removal is the ideal method. Frankly, if it is asbestos positive, remove the drywall and popcorn and replace the drywall. More than likely, the walls will also have asbestos in the texture but since we paint the walls, it's been encapsulated and no danger to your health.
I would strongly suggest that as of now do nothing. The only popcorn ceiling that was hard like stucco was the old ceiling product that was loaded with asbestos. If the house was built before 1970, I'd have it tested before any removal. The difference being the methodology of the removal and cleanup. Hopefully you don't have asbestos but the hardness is an indicator of the asbestos type.
If you have asbestos positive in the ceiling materials, do not cover it up with more drywall or allow it to be covered with anything until it has been completely removed or encapsulated. Removal is the ideal method. Frankly, if it is asbestos positive, remove the drywall and popcorn and replace the drywall. More than likely, the walls will also have asbestos in the texture but since we paint the walls, it's been encapsulated and no danger to your health.
Do you have source for the assertion that "hard" popcorn == asbestos??? That is a new one! The only way that is APPROVED is to send to a label where technicians use microscopes to identify the specific mineral -- https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owa...RDS&p_id=10005
There is STILL not a single case of anybody merely living in a home that has asbestos in any of the building materials ever successfully claiming that asbestos made them ill... Just OSHA hazardous workplaces -- https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3507.html
OK, I asked about the 4th option, which means removing the existing ceiling and put in new drywall ceiling. None of the contractors wanted to do this because of the insulation stuffs would have to be redone. Sawing off the ceiling is also difficult because the ceiling drywall is on top of the wall drywall so you have to saw it close to the edge and hope you don't hit electrical wires or damage the vertical walls. It would be an even bigger job. One guy sprayed water on the popcorn and after a while tried to show me that water didn't really soften this popcorn. He gave me the scraper and it is literally as hard as your stucco wall. I think the guy who wants to scrape this thing off doesn't have the experience.
I finally went with the option of putting a 3/8" thick board to cover it. Yes, $3500 is expensive but I went with it. He will also fix all the nail holes, remove all phone jacks and cover them. He promises that all walls and ceilings will be in perfect conditions for painting. Instead of hiring someone to paint, now I have to paint the house myself.
They put up the 1/2 in drywall boards today. Tape, mud and sand the next 2 days. 4 people, it will take 3-4 days.
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