Many Modesto homes from the 1960s to the 1980s have sprayed popcorn ceilings. Older texture can contain asbestos, so it should be lab tested before anyone scrapes it. Once it is clear, we remove it, repair the ceiling and paint.
Popcorn ceilings were sprayed on many Modesto homes built from the 1960s into the 1980s. They collect dust, yellow with age and are hard to patch or paint cleanly. Removing them gives a room a lighter, more current look. Before anything is scraped, the age of the house matters. Older popcorn texture can contain asbestos, and you cannot tell by looking at it. Only a lab test on a small sample can settle it.
If your home is old enough that the texture could contain asbestos, have a sample tested by an accredited lab before any work. If it tests positive, removal is a job for a licensed asbestos abatement contractor, not a painter. If it is clear, we cover the floors and walls, wet the texture, scrape it and repair the drywall under it. Ceilings that were painted over are slower to remove.
What is left after scraping is rarely ready for paint. Joints and screw heads were often only roughly finished, because the texture was meant to hide them. We skim, sand and prime, then apply a smooth finish or a light texture and paint. Bright valley sunlight through the windows shows every flaw on a flat ceiling, so a light knockdown texture is a common and forgiving choice here. Ask to see a sample patch before you choose.
Popcorn ceiling removal in Modesto: common questions
Does my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
It might, mainly in older homes. The only way to know is a lab test of a small sample. Do not scrape, sand or drill it until you have a result. Testing comes first on any home old enough to be at risk.
Can you just paint over popcorn?
Yes, if it is sound and not stained or flaking. Painting freshens it and seals it, but it also makes later removal harder. If the texture is in good shape and tested or left undisturbed, painting is the lower cost choice.
How messy is removal?
It is a wet, messy job, so the room is emptied or fully covered first. Floors, walls, vents and lights are masked with plastic. The scraped material is bagged and taken away, and the room is cleaned before painting.
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.