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.

Mas Construction House Painter in Toronto. We are a skilled and experienced team of Painters in Toronto. We are specialized in Exterior painting, Interior painting, Drywall installation, Venetian plaster, and Popcorn ceiling removal, and many more.