Popcorn ceilings in Providence are mostly in homes, additions and remodeled flats from the 1960s to the 1980s. Texture from before the mid 1980s should be tested for asbestos before anyone scrapes it. Once it is clear, we remove it, repair the surface and paint.
Sprayed popcorn ceilings are less common in Providence than in newer cities, because so much of the housing is older and has plaster. They show up in homes and additions from the 1960s to the 1980s, in remodeled apartments and in condos. Sometimes the texture was sprayed over cracked plaster to hide it. Before anything is scraped, the age of the ceiling matters, because older texture can contain asbestos. So the first question we ask is when it went up.
A ceiling that could date from before the mid 1980s should be tested by a laboratory before it is disturbed. If it contains asbestos, removal is work for a licensed asbestos contractor, not a painter. If the test is clear, the texture is wetted and scraped, the surface is repaired and skimmed smooth, then primed and painted. In houses built before 1978 the paint under or over the texture may also contain lead.
What is under the texture decides how much work follows. Drywall usually needs joint repair and a skim coat. Old plaster may be cracked or loose, which is often why it was covered. We check a small area first where we can and tell you what we find. The room is emptied or covered and sealed with plastic. The written quote covers removal, repairs, primer and ceiling paint. Furniture you cannot move is wrapped where it stands.
Popcorn ceiling removal in Providence: common questions
Does my popcorn ceiling need an asbestos test?
If it could have been put up before the mid 1980s, yes, test it before it is scraped or sanded. A laboratory test is the only way to know. If the result is positive, a licensed asbestos contractor has to handle it.
Can you just paint over a popcorn ceiling?
Yes, if it is sound and you are happy to keep the texture. It is sprayed or rolled gently so the texture stays on. Painting makes later removal harder, so decide first whether you want it gone.
What will the ceiling look like after removal?
Smooth, once it is repaired, skimmed, primed and painted. The scraping is the quick part. The finishing takes longer, because a flat ceiling shows every flaw in side light from the windows.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.