Causes of Peeling in Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings common in homes from the 1960s are still in homes
today. In older homes or those with poor construction, you may find your popcorn
ceiling peeling away.
Peeling texture can be caused by a
variety of causes. Some can be a quick fix while others the peeling can
continue.
Find out what is causing your cap to
peel and what corrections can be made.
Main
Causes of Peeling
- Humidity
- Water leak
- Wall dust
- Correction
Humidity
Moisture and mold growth common in
bathrooms and kitchens can start to form under the texture layer of a popcorn
ceiling. The popcorn cap will become damp and no longer adhere to the
drywall below. Peeling often the first to appear in the corners. You may first
notice spots forming before the cap begins to peel.
Recommended to read: Is
Popcorn Ceiling Dangerous?
Water
leak
Often, in two story houses, a water
leak rises upstairs directly to the ceiling below. Ceiling repair is often
necessary because of damage to the ceiling from popcorn. Ceiling is often damp
and has not started to peel, once leak is repaired and the ceiling dries, the
texture will loose from its base.
Wall dust
When a popcorn cap is applied directly too
undusted drywall, it does not adhere to the drywall itself, but simply a thin
layer of dust. Gypsum compound is used to connect the joints of two pieces of
drywall, which are commonly sanded. Surplus dust should be wiped off. However,
this step can be forgotten. Often, the popcorn cap will come off in strips
directly around the drywall joints. The entire ceiling cannot be stable.
Correction
In some cases, such as leaks and
humidity, the popcorn cap can be patched and re-textured. When humidity is a
problem, paint the ceiling and walls of the area with paint specially designed
for humid environments to decrease the risk of mold reoccurring. When plaster
dust or significant water leaks have occurred, you may need to scrape the popcorn
ceiling and all textures the entire area. You will notice the
corrected areas, and the whole texture will be stable.
Why
Remove Popcorn Ceilings?
Textured acoustical ceilings, also
called “popcorn ceilings,” were popular in the late 1950s through the
1980s. This inexpensive, easy-to-install ceiling was useful for masking ceiling
defects, reducing noise, and provides a cheap alternative to painting. Popcorn
ceilings fell out of fashion in the 1990s, and tend to make a bedroom
look. They can also pose a health hazard in some cases.
Remove
Popcorn Ceiling
- Appearance
- Structure
- Renovation
- Asbestos
Appearance
As popcorn ceilings are
no longer in fashion, they can make a house look old or stylish. They are
difficult to paint over and are often removed during reshaping.
If your popcorn ceiling has never been
painted, you can just scrape it off with a spatula. Cover the floor and interior
doors with plastic dust sheets and use eye and respiratory protection while
working.
You may need to spray the ceiling with
water to loosen the acoustic texture.
Structure
In older or quickly built homes, popcorn
ceilings can be used to cover damage or poor workmanship. A
popcorn ceiling covers stains, makes cracks in the plaster less obvious, and
can hide a ceiling that is not more level.
Remove your popcorn ceiling if you suspect damage to the ceiling structure or if
the ceiling itself has cracks. Some popcorn ceilings were painted after
installation.
The use of chemical strippers on these
ceilings. Once the paint film has been removed, one can scrape the ceiling as
usual.
Renovation
If you dramatically change the shape
and size of the room, your old popcorn cap may get in the way. Most homeowners
don't want to install a new popcorn cap to blend in with the old one, making
the move the best option.
Asbestos
Ceilings made before 1980 may contain
asbestos as an insulating and fire retardant material. This document is not a
health hazard if the cap is intact.
In intact homes containing
asbestos popcorn ceilings, leave the material in place or install a
new ceiling over the old one. When the ceiling is cracked or damaged,
encapsulate the material with paint or another sealant, or remove the ceiling
by government asbestos regulations.
Use a respirator and large amounts of
water, complete official notification, and take steps to reduce asbestos
contamination from the rest of the house. You can also hire a professional
asbestos removal company.
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