Popcorn ceiling removal

[BP in ME]

Test it for asbestos before removing it. It’s a simple test. Scrape some off in a closet and send it in to a lab. Inexpensive and you really need to address how you proceed removing it. Whether you hire a company trained in asbestos removal or you do it yourself you need to take precautions.
That being said as stated above it’s fairly easy to remove. Just have a drywaller come in and retexture.

If it does contain asbestos, it should be fairly well encapsulated in it's current state. Sanding or scraping should be avoided altogether unless you hire a pro. The OP could save a few grand by taking some basic precautions and using dust control while pulling down the sheetrock and disposing of it. Then have someone redo it.

[Topwater 2]

I did my house using the shopvac method. Its a piece of cake!! Don't use water!! Cover your furniture and go to town.

[astronomical]

Me and my family did the hallway, living room, dining room and kitchen of my house. Just sprayed with water and scraped with scrapers. Most came right off, and we had to accomplish some repair but not bad. We then refinished the ceiling with mud and painted. Looks a lot better than the nasty popcorn.

[THOEFT]

I did my house using the shopvac method. Its a piece of cake!! Don't use water!! Cover your furniture and go to town.

You obviously are not a drywall finisher.

[Bass Junkie]

I did my entire house when I remodeled it over a year ago. I used a backpack sprayer and a taping knife. Spray it down pretty good and let if set a couple minutes and it will scrape right off. Most of mine had even been painted over and it was still pretty easy.

[Meadows]

I’m an asbestos abatement contractor. Please disregard the advice given previously about how to remove it yourself if it contains asbestos. There’s a LOT more precautions that need to be taken other than wearing a respirator and keeping it wet.

Do yourself and your family a favor and hire a licensed asbestos inspector to test it (doing this by yourself can be tricky as well.) If it does contain asbestos, hire a professional abatement contractor to have it removed properly

[jham0077]

Cover the floor and up the wall a foot or so with painter's plastic, its lighter weight and cheaper. Spray and work small sections at a time, not the whole ceiling. Painted or not, it comes off pretty easy. Just don't sand or scrape on it dry, drywall dust can get in places you wouldn't believe. Once its airborne and the AC kicks on you'll have it through the whole house.

[Menacer]

Put 1/4 inch rock over it. Less work in my opinion.

[ohsnags]

Test it for asbestos before removing it. It’s a simple test. Scrape some off in a closet and send it in to a lab. Inexpensive and you really need to address how you proceed removing it. Whether you hire a company trained in asbestos removal or you do it yourself you need to take precautions.
That being said as stated above it’s fairly easy to remove. Just have a drywaller come in and retexture.

This..........but take at least 3 random samples. If it comes back positive use an accredited contractor. They have the training and equipment to do it properly.

[bkeenom]

Comes off easily.............. If it wasnt painted or mixed with paint when sprayed.

What is the best way to get it off if it has been painted?