In case your house has a swirl ceiling, you are not alone. This ornamental style was used in the middle of the century houses, however, a majority of modern owners of houses would rather have a smooth, clean ceiling. Eliminate swirl ceiling texture, and a room can be made to appear brighter, higher and more modern.
Although it can be considered to be a huge task, you can remove that swirling texture of the past with the right tools, preparation and patience. This is a step-by-step guide that will take you through all the steps.
What Is a Swirl Ceiling Texture?
Swirl ceiling texture is a decorative drywall or plaster of parcel texture that is applied with either a brush, sponge, or a trowel and is used to produce a swirl or circular texture. It was a popular type of finishing in the 1960s-1980s as it concealed the flaws and gave the appearance of character.
Although swirl textures are attractive, they also have the tendency of:
- Collect dust and cobwebs
- Make rooms feel darker
- Be difficult to paint evenly
- Appears old fashioned in comparison with smooth, smooth ceilings.
This is why most house owners now prefer to eliminate them and instead go with smooth and flat finish.
Before You Begin: Check for Asbestos
Before you touch that ceiling, check for asbestos especially if your home was built before 1980. Some older textured ceilings (like popcorn or swirl designs) were made with asbestos for fire resistance.
How to Test for Asbestos
- Buy an asbestos testing kit from a home improvement store or order one online.
- Carefully collect a small ceiling sample following the kit’s instructions.
- Send it to the lab for analysis.
If your ceiling tests positive for asbestos, do not try to remove it yourself. Hire a certified asbestos abatement professional. If it’s asbestos-free, you’re safe to continue with DIY removal.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
To complete the process safely and without any issue, prepare the following tools and materials:
- Plastic wraps or drop cloths
- Painter’s tape
- Ladder
- Spray bottle or garden sprayer (full of water)
- Drywall knife or broad putty knife
- Safety goggles and dust mask
- Joint compound (for repairs)
- Sanding sponge or pole sander
- Primer and ceiling paint.
Step 1: Prepare the Room
Ceiling texture is a pain to remove, and therefore preparation is important.
- Clear room of any furniture that is possible.
- Plastic cover walls and cover floors with drop cloths.
- Switch off all the light fixtures and take them off or wrap them up in plastic.
- Wrap the edges of the ceiling and walls with tapes to protect trim and walls.
The more you save the room the less you will have to clean up.
Step 2: Soften the Texture with Water
The majority of the swirl textures are fabricated with the use of joint compound or plaster. Water can be used to make joint compound softer so that it is easier to scrape off.
- Fill your spray bottle or garden sprayer with warm water.
- Spray a little area of the ceiling–3×3 feet at a time.
- Allow the soaking of the water to continue 10-15 minutes.
- Don’t over-soak the ceiling. Excessive water may destroy the drywall below. It is aimed at softening the texture, not to wet the ceiling.
Step 3: Scrape Off the Texture
When the area is damp, then it is time to scrape.
- Keep your drywall knife at 30 degrees.
- Gently rub the swirl texture that becomes softened away off the surface.
- Slow and steady work–do not gouge the drywall.
- In case the texture is not coming off, spray in a little more water and allow some more minutes. Patience pays off here.
Hint: It is best to begin somewhere in a corner or an area that is not much noticed until you are familiar with the process.
Step 4: Repair Any Damage
It may happen that despite the care given to scraping the drywall, some of its parts may be nicked or damaged. That’s normal.
- Any gouges, dents, or seams can be filled with joint compound.
- Allow to dry (typically 24 hours).
- When it is dry sand the surface with a sanding sponge or pole sander.
- Sanding then, rub your hand over the ceiling.
- When the feeling is smooth and even, then you are prepared to do the finishing.
Step 5: Prime and Paint
- After that, when you have the ceiling smooth, now it is time to make it look new.
- Use a quality high-end primer that is used in drywalls. This assists in sealing up the surface and gives a proper covering of paint.
- Once the primer is dry, use ceiling paint that is of your choice. The most popular one is a bright and clean look that is achieved with flat white.
- Apply with a roller that has an extension pole to cover evenly and to save on time.
- Two coats might be required to have a perfect finish.
Alternative Option: Cover the Texture Instead
Otherwise, when scraping the swirl texture seems to be too messy or time-intensive, one can also cover it, rather than scrape it.
Common Cover-Up Methods:
- Install new drywall to the ceiling on top of the old ceiling.
- Add a thin layer of joint compound to have a smooth finish.
- Hang planks or ceiling panels to give a decorative appearance.
Such techniques may be quicker, but may be more expensive in terms of materials and labour.
How Long Does It Take?
The duration of swirl ceiling texture elimination is determined by the size of the room and the thickness of the texture.
- Small room (10×10 ft): 1-2 days
- Medium room (12×15 ft): 2-3 days
- Huge room or whole floor: 7 days or less.
This involves preparation time, scraping time, patching time, sanding time and painting time.
Safety Tips
- Wear a mask and goggles to cover yourself against dust at all times.
- Maintain good ventilation of the room.
- Have rest to prevent neck and shoulder strain.
- Clean-up rubbish using heavy-duty trash bags.
You can always seek the services of a professional to assist you in completing the task in case you begin to feel overwhelmed.
