Grapevine Popcorn Ceiling Info: Your Complete Guide

Many homes in Grapevine and nearby areas built between the 1930s and 1990s have a popcorn ceiling, which are sometimes also referred to as stucco, acoustic, or cottage cheese ceilings. Without a doubt, this dated aesthetic is no longer in style—and many local homeowners with modern homes don’t have to be concerned about Grapevine popcorn ceiling problems.

However, if you are a Grapevine popcorn ceiling owner, don't despair; there is hope. You may want to embrace the aesthetic as a nod to days past, but it would be understandable if you want to get rid of the mottled texture entirely.

Whatever the case may be, it doesn't hurt to know a little bit more about popcorn ceilings before deciding whether yours should stay or go. On that note, our Grapevine handyman professionals are also your local Grapevine popcorn ceiling experts. The pros at Mr. Handyman of Arlington, Mansfield and Grapevine have put together this helpful guide just to make sure that Grapevine popcorn ceiling owners are all well-informed.

Do Popcorn Ceilings Have Asbestos?

That largely depends on when your Grapevine popcorn ceiling was installed. Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous silicate mineral. It was used as a popular building material that was sometimes in residential construction from the early 1940s until it was finally banned in 1978. Although banned, asbestos continued to be in circulation until the 1980s. Grapevine’s development boomed slightly after the airport opened in 1974, so some older Grapevine popcorn ceilings may contain asbestos.

What is Asbestos?

When disturbed, such as during a renovation, asbestos releases fibers into the air. Once inhaled, these fibers are highly toxic and cause a wide range of health problems—including lung cancer. For this reason, if you have older Grapevine popcorn ceilings and want to complete work on them, or get rid of them entirely, then you should do an asbestos patch test first.

How Do You Know If Your Grapevine Popcorn Ceiling Has Asbestos?

Asbestos testing and removal should always be completed by qualified professionals. It is possible to remove asbestos-ridden popcorn ceilings, but this task must also be completed by a professional asbestos remediation company. Make sure you carefully research the Grapevine company that you choose and ensure that they follow proper procedures for safe handling and disposal.

Why Were Popcorn Ceilings So Popular?

As a rule, texture tends to hide a multitude of sins. It can be very difficult to get a drywall surface perfectly level—especially on the ceiling. The endeavor can take a lot of time and requires professional skills. Thus, many Grapevine popcorn ceilings exist as a workaround for creating a perfect drywall finish. Also, there was a time in Grapevine and other parts of the U.S.—particularly during the 1970s—when a popcorn ceiling was the height of fashion.

Common Grapevine Popcorn Ceiling Repairs

Perhaps you've decided to hire professional removal services, or you simply want to update the look of your room with a fresh coat of paint. In any case, we've outlined a few common projects and fixes local homeowners can complete on their Grapevine popcorn ceilings—and we’ve got some professional tips to help too.

1. Patching

Does your Grapevine popcorn ceiling have cracks, stains from water damage, or other unsightly imperfections? It is possible to patch the area, however, it can be challenging to find an exact match for the original texture and color.

Typically, patching products are available in two forms: spray-on aerosol cans and premixed containers that you apply with a brush. These days, texture is created by using thinned drywall compound—however, you should not use this technique to patch your existing drywall texture. Those mixtures contain water, so they can actually cause existing drywall texture to fall off.

2. Painting

Are you keen to update your room's aesthetic with a fresh coat of paint? Painting can be a great way to add a little interest to the existing area—however, you should look for damage before you grab your brushes. You shouldn't paint drywall that is sagging, flaking, or shredding. These are signs that the area is in disrepair and it could be a health hazard if the texture was made with asbestos.

If everything looks good to go, and you've gotten asbestos testing from Grapevine popcorn ceiling experts, you may go ahead and start painting. Begin by lightly brushing off all dust with a very soft bristle brush. You can attach the brush to an extension pole to reach it more easily. The first coat should be a stain blocking primer to prevent water spots and other stains from showing through the paint job.

Once that coat has dried, use a thick nap roller or a paint sprayer to apply your color of choice. Since the area is textured, you may need more paint than you anticipated to ensure each spot is evenly covered. Make sure you carefully tape off the wall, cover light fixtures, and place plastic sheeting over your floor to prevent accidentally staining it with paint.

3. Hiding Texture

It's possible to hide your drywall texture and create a smooth surface. The most common materials used to hide the original texture are rigid foam tiles, drywall panels, and wood planking. Each material has different installation requirements and considerations:

• Foam panels can be installed with adhesive.

• Drywall requires joists, joint compound, nails, and screws.

• Wood requires joists, nails, and screws.

Depending on how high your walls go, you may also be able to install a drop ceiling to cover up the speckled texture. Typically, your room height needs to be more than 8 feet for that technique to work.

4. Grapevine Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Arguably, this is one of the most requested services for Grapevine handyman companies. Increasingly, homeowners throughout Grapevine and the surrounding areas want to get rid of this blast-from-the-past style. A smooth finish is generally more desirable for prospective buyers, and more aesthetically pleasing according to current trends.

While it's not necessarily difficult to remove drywall texture, the process is very messy and time-consuming. First, you must spray the area with water. This will saturate the texture and cause it to release. Then, the final step involves carefully scraping it away with a large putty knife or taping trowel.

It sounds simple, but keep in mind it's very important to wear proper safety gear while completing this task. This should include old clothes, a face mask, protective eyewear, and gloves. Even if your drywall finish doesn't have asbestos fibers, it is still full of chemicals you should not breathe in. This is especially the case if the texture has been painted. In that case, water won't penetrate the speckled areas, so you will need to apply a stripping product first. These solutions are usually in a gel form and can be rolled or brushed on. Once the solution has adequately softened the paint and texture, you can scrape it off as usual.

5. Grapevine Popcorn Ceiling Installation

Are you keen on having textured added? You may like the nostalgic look, or maybe you enjoy the look of Grapevine popcorn ceilings that don’t have visible imperfections. The good news is, texture today is completely asbestos free. If your home happens to have a bumpy surface, and it was built after the 1980s, chances are it's not toxic.

Should you be interested in adding a little texture, you can easily do that too. You will need a specialty tool, a hopper gun, which sprays the material onto your ceiling. The material itself is made out of a dry powder and then mixed with water. It comes in a standard white but can be painted any color you choose once it dries. As there are many different possible errors for inexperienced installation, this type of project is best left to Grapevine popcorn ceiling experts.

Reasons to Schedule Grapevine Popcorn Ceiling Removal:

Perhaps you love the look of your textured ceiling, or even want to turn a smooth surface into a bumpy one to suit the aesthetic of your home. But for those local homeowners on the fence about whether or not they should get rid of their Grapevine popcorn ceiling, you may want to read the following. There are a few reasons why smooth surfaces are more appealing.

1. Get Rid of Harmful Asbestos

As we mentioned earlier, Grapevine popcorn ceilings installed between the 1940s and early 1970s may contain asbestos. If your home was built during this period, it's well worth having it tested. If the toxic material is found, you should consider investing in professional removal services for you and your family's health.

2. Create Better Lighting

Did you know that texture often impacts the lighting in a room? The bumpy surface bounces light off it and can create harsh shadows in your home. This may not be the bright and beautiful aesthetic you're going for, so it could be worthwhile to remove the speckle entirely.

3. Stop Discoloration

Popcorn ceilings can discolor over time, which is bound to make your home look dingy and uninviting. If you're tired of looking at sad ceilings, take steps to safely remove the texture. Alternatively, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders to brighten up the room.

4. Reduce Dust

Dust is a fact of life, and texture is a magnet for dust and dirt—making it all the more challenging to keep your home dust-free. Many Grapevine homeowners neglect to dust their ceilings regularly, but this can make a big difference in the air quality of your home. If you find no matter how hard you work to keep your space clean you're still bothered by copious amounts of dust, it could be time to remove your textured drywall.

5. Prevent it from Disintegrating

Like anything else in your home, your popcorn ceiling simply won't last forever. This is especially the case if it's old. If you notice white flecks start to fall on your floors and furniture, unfortunately you won't have much choice but to remove it entirely. Again, if your home was built prior to the 1980s and you notice the popcorn texture is starting to disintegrate, you should get an expert in to check for asbestos immediately.

6. Repair Damage

Part of being a homeowner means understanding that accidents happen. Holes may get punched in drywall, or furniture could scrape along it—dents, holes, and stains happen. While you can patch popcorn texture, it's not easy. Consider how attached you are to the style—it might be better to smooth the bumpy surface out instead. Plus, in the future, should further damage occur, it will be much easier and more cost-effective to fix.

7. Update Your Home's Aesthetic

Perhaps you've just moved into a new home, or you want to renovate the house you've been in for years. Whiletalking to general contractors, you may have come to the realization that the textured look simply doesn't suit your taste. This is reason enough to get rid of the bumpy aesthetic. Not to mention, you'll reap all the other benefits as well.

8. Improve Your Home's Resale Value

Smooth finishes are what buyers want right now, so by removing any texture you both modernize the space and make it more appealing to prospective buyers. This can make selling your home much easier when it comes to moving onto your next life chapter.

We’re Your Grapevine Popcorn Ceiling Experts!

If you need help to smooth a bumpy ceiling, Mr. Handyman of Arlington, Mansfield and Grapevine can get the job done! We're also experts at replacing and repairing drywall throughout your home. Our skillful technicians have helped homeowners throughout Grapevine and surrounding areas like Southlake andCoppell with their repair needs. Please note that we do not complete asbestos testing, but we're happy to point you in the right direction for a helpful and professional service.

To book an appointment today, we invite you to give our friendly office staff a call at 817-567-2433 . We look forward to hearing from you and helping with your future repair, replacement, and installation needs!