Thursday, March 21, 2024

How To Remove Mold From Popcorn Ceiling

Covering Popcorn Ceiling With A Skim Coat

How To Clean Popcorn Ceilings | Cobweb, Dust & Stain Removal

Instead of scraping off a popcorn ceiling, you could apply a skim coat. Here is everything you need to know about doing this without professional help.

Step one: Use a 14-inch drywall taping knife to apply joint compound to the ceiling. It should be a little thicker than if you were skim coating a smooth surface. Dont mix too much water into the mixture.

Step two: Wipe the surface of the ceiling to smooth out any bumps or air bubbles in the joint compound. Then go in the opposite direction to get rid of ridges.

Step three: Before your second coat of joint compound, use a drywall taping knife to scrape away any texture in your application.

Step four: Apply a second skim coat.

Step five: Let dry for 24 hours.

For a visual of a professional applying a skim coat, Paul Peck DrywallTube has a great series. He provides in-depth information about the best brand of joint compound and how to thin it with water see below.

Determine The Cause Of The Water Stain

Its kind of a moot point to start painting over a water stain without first determining where the moisture is coming from . A homeowner could technically keep applying layers and layers of finish to cover the stain but a leak or a faulty pipe could cause bigger problems down the line so its important to identify the source and correct the issue before repairing the water stain or water damage.

Most of the time a water stain on the drywall in a ceiling is caused by faulty shingles on the roof, but if the stain is directly below a bathroom the source could be a slow-leaking pipe. If possible, a homeowner should navigate to their roof and look for any signs of damage . For small issues caulking the area can work as a temporary fix but if you find serious damage a new roof may be needed to correct the situation.

Mold On Popcorn Ceilings

Eliminating mold on popcorn ceilings can be a difficult job. A popcorn finish is a bumpy, very uneven texturing that resembles cottage cheese and that was popular during the early 1970s. The finish was usually sprayed on and was effective at hiding blemishes and seam lines. When new, it was bright white in color and was claimed to have really good acoustical properties.

Today, popcorn ceilings are frowned upon by homeowners and homebuyers because they tend to collect dust and dont do a very good job of reflecting natural light. Also many popcorn-ceiling finishes contain asbestos. You can still find textured ceilings in newly built homes, but very few popcorn ceilings.

What Is Mold?

  • Mold is not dust or dirt.
  • You cant eliminate mold with ordinary cleaning chemicals or detergents.
  • You should not attempt to just sweep it or brush it away.
  • Despite many experts advice, chlorine bleach, which is 98% water, should NOT be used in an attempt to remove mold from porous surfaces like popcorn ceilings. The chemical chlorine will not penetrate and the water contained in chlorine bleach will add to the supply of moisture that the mold needs to survive.
  • In biblical times people were not instructed to clean mold, they were told to remove it. Times havent changed mold needs to be physically removed.
  • What kind of mold is it? It doesnt really matter, you dont want to keep it, and you must have it removed.

Molds Common Health Dangers

Removing Mold From Popcorn Ceilings

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Spray Problem Areas With Vinegar

Fill the bottle with undiluted white vinegar and spray the problem areas. Spray the entire ceiling, not just the moldy areas, as the beginnings of an area of black mold growth are invisible to the naked eye. Let the undiluted vinegar soak for at least an hour, rinse, and repeat. This will start to remove the stains.

Removal Of Mold From Popcorn Ceiling With The Baking Soda

Popcorn Ceiling Black Mold

Baking soda has several uses for household purposes, from absorbing odours to relieving heartburns. It safe your family and even your pets and can remove black mold that can catch moisture and form mold.

In the spray bottle, add one-quarter tablespoon of baking soda with the water to dissolve it. Now spray the affected area with the baking soda and water solution, and scrub with the brush to remove mold from the ceiling. Repeat the process of spraying and the space for drying without cleaning it. This will help prevent decay from coming back again on your roofs.

The tough mold stains make a thick paste of baking soda with water and white vinegar. Then apply this mixture on the surface to set. Black molds will go away by scrubbing and then clean them with water.

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How To Clean Kitchen Grease From Popcorn Ceiling

Although popcorn ceilings shouldnt be used in kitchens or bathrooms, where the high moisture content in the air can damage the finish, many contractors didnt get the memo! If your popcorn ceiling is suffering from kitchen grease stains, you can easily fix it with this solution.

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon dish soap

Mix the solution and dampen a microfiber cloth. Use it to dab the ceiling and lift old grease stains. Remember you shouldnt get the ceiling wet, because it will damage the finish and maybe even make the popcorn layer fall down. Avoid scrubbing the ceiling for the same reason. Wring the cloth out well before applying it to the ceiling, and dab gently to clean.

Pro Tip: Keep that cleaning fever going! Learn how to clean your window blinds and shades now!

Before: Boring Game Room

The popcorn ceiling outdates this plain game room, and the large pool table takes up most of the space. Nobody can watch sports on the disconnected TV, making it a not-so-great place to gather friends.

Popcorn ceilings were inescapable from the 1950s to the early 1980s. They were a quick, cheap way to finish ceilings in tract homes and apartment buildings. Builders sprayed a stucco mixture on the ceiling that had a lumpy cottage-cheese like texture. Many homeowners got rid of their popcorn ceilings in the half-century since they were all the rage. But many popcorn ceilings remain, and those that do need cleaning by now. Here are some tips on how to clean popcorn ceilings, remove cobwebs, stains and discolorations and return them to their mid-20th century glory.

Cover the floor and surrounding furniture with tarps to protect them from the dust and dirt that will come off the ceiling during cleaning. Put the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner and gently run it over the ceiling. This will remove dirt and cobwebs. You can also use a feather duster to clean the ceiling, but it your ceiling is very dirty, the vacuum is the better choice.

If the ceiling can stand liquid, mix warm water and dish soap to create a cleaning solution. Dip a soft cloth in the solution, wring it out and use it to gently dab the stains on the ceiling. Be careful not to get the ceiling too wet.

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How To Remove Mold From A Bathroom Popcorn Ceiling

Last Updated on June 22, 2020 by Diana Rodriguez-Zaba

When youre dealing with a flooded bathroom floor, you dont usually look up. If its located upstairs, youre probably worried about the ceilings in rooms downstairs.

Most homeowners dont give bathroom ceilings much thought until they notice dark spots growing overhead.

When mold spreads into porous, textured surfaces, it becomes very difficult to eliminate.

Do you know how to remove mold on a bathroom popcorn ceiling?

As Chicagos leading mold remediation company, were happy to share insider tips that make mold removal easier.

How To Clean Popcorn Ceiling Dust

How to Clean Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling in 4 Steps

The center of your popcorn ceiling is more likely to be dusty than filled with cobwebs. Dust can be cleaned with a broom, duster, or vacuum. If you find these methods arent lifting the dust efficiently, try using a wool paint roller with a thick nap, or pile. Paint rollers are ideal for dusting ceilings because theyre designed to glide easily over the surface. Just remember not to press too hard, or youll damage the finish of the popcorn texture.

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Remove The Dust And Cobwebs

  • Use a vacuum with the widest brush attachment to gently remove dust and cobwebs from the ceilings surface. You can use a soft-bristled broom or feather duster instead, brushing the dust onto the covered floor.

If there are any stubborn particles trapped in the grooves of the uneven surface, try rolling a lint roller over them to pick them up.

How To Clean Mildew Off Popcorn Ceiling

Unlike mold, mildew grows on the surface of objects. Because of this, it is much easier to clean. Common household cleaners are effective in getting rid of mildew from ceilings.

The cleaning process for mildew is similar to cleaning yellow stains.

Step one: Make a cleaning solution of one part bleach, five parts water.

Step two: Lightly mist the area. Dont spray too much, as you do not want to create more water damage.

Step three: Let it dry for several hours.

Step four: If the mildew isnt budging, you may need to add more bleach into your cleaning solution. Add a second layer of spray onto the affected area.

Step five: Repaint the ceiling.

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How To Remove Mold From Popcorn Ceiling

Eddie A. FryeMay 2, 2021

Well! If you are dealing with the popcorn ceilings in your bathroom, they must be installed between 1930 and 1990. However, stucco and popcorn ceilings are making come back with different ideas, different installation procedures. Most homeowners do not give much consideration to bathroom ceilings until they see dark spots on the roofs. It will be a difficult task for you if the mold spreads into textured and porous surfaces. So if you want to know the exact and proper solution, you must learn how to remove mold from popcorn ceiling, keep on reading, and get the correct information.

Hi Since March 30 We’ve Noticed Some Weird Staining Occurring On The Walls And Ceiling Throughout Our Apartment They All Start Out As Clear Then Some Changes Colors I Reached Out To Our Property Management On March 30 And Again On May 7 Because Now My Entire House Is Sick And Showing Symptoms Associated With Mold Exposure My Landlord Had Yet To Come Out To Determine If It Is Mold I’m Growing Frustrated For Obvious Reasons And I Have Been Searching The Web For Insight Into What This Staining Might Be I Can’t Get Anyone To Come Out Because That Process Needs To Be Initiated By Our Landlord Which Has Been Unresponsive To This Point My Question Isbased On Pictures Could This Be Either Ghosting Condensation Or Mold

How To Get Black Mold Off Popcorn Ceiling

This type of staining is typically due to heavy condensation. You see it most often in a bathroom. It can also occur in rooms with high humidity and poor ventilation. The condensation is leaching out chemicals/contaminants from the paint. Ghosting causes perfectly straight lines which correlate to the underlying framing. Examples of ghosting.

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All About Popcorn Ceilings: Cleaning And Removal

Popcorn ceilings were a pesky trend several decades ago, but they linger in many homes today. They have rough textures that catch grease and grime which can make a bright white turn to a brown or yellow. If you dont want to go through the messy process of scraping and retexturing your ceiling, here are some popcorn ceiling cleaning tips to give your home a fresh feeling.

  • Use a wet dry vac: Connect the vacuums brush attachment to the end of your wet dry vac hose and run it across the ceiling to get rid of dust and cobwebs.
  • Use a damp cloth: Cigarette smoke and grease will stain the ceiling and need to be wiped down with a cloth, but be careful! Popcorn ceilings will dissolve if too much water is applied to them. Test the damp washcloth on a portion of the ceiling before you begin cleaning the entire ceiling.
  • Remove Stains: Any ceiling can get stains, but popcorn ceilings are more prone to these yellow streaks. Mix five parts water to one part bleach and gently wipe the stains.Take care to not wet the ceiling too much! If the stain isnt coming out, a fresh paint will cover it up.
  • There are also ways to get rid of your popcorn textured ceiling rather than just cleaning it.

  • First, get the room prepared: You will need to put down tarps or trash bags to keeps the texture from falling all over your floor, carpet, or furniture.
  • Section off the ceiling: You wont be able to do the whole ceiling at once, so spray and scrape one section at a time.
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    Using Mold Cleaner In Your Ceiling

    If you are one of the homeowners who are not fond of using homemade cleaners, you can also use mold cleaners. The process of using mold cleaners is not far from using the homemade ones. Heres how you do it.

    Step #1. Wear gears to protect yourself

    Since mold cleaners contain various chemicals, it is best that you wear something to protect yourself. Wear a mask, a pair of gloves, and a protective eyewear to avoid inhaling the chemicals. Keep the area well-ventilated to avoid suffocation.

    Step #2. Spray the solution to the area

    Spray a thin layer of the mold cleaner to the affected area. Be careful not to spray it towards you to avoid potential health hazards.

    Step #3. Let the surface dry

    Before proceeding with removing the mold, let the surface area dry first so it will be absorbed by the popcorn ceiling.

    Step #4. Wipe the mold with a damp cloth

    Once the mold control is completely absorbed, use a damp cloth to wipe away the mold growth. Be careful not to damage the texture of the popcorn ceiling as much as possible.

    Step #5. Reapply mold control

    After removing all the mold, reapply a thin coat of mold control. It will help prevent mold growth from recurring.

    Here is a helpful guide in using concrobium mold control that you can check out. If you are wondering how fast mold grows, you can also read this article.

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    I Would Like To Know If This Is Due To Condensation Or Maybe A Issue Inside My Ceiling Also Is It Dangerous To Breath In And How Should I Get Rid Of It Thank You

    This is very likely due to condensation. Assuming this is an exterior wall, this is the coldest part of the room. The insulation in the ceiling above is often pulled back from the perimeter to allow air to enter through the soffit vents . This creates a cold spot. Condensation occurs when the warm & humid air interacts with this cold surface. In time, mold growth occurs.

    The amount of growth appears fairly small and can likely be cleaned with a detergent/water solution. Some staining may remain which will require repainting.

    Preventing regrowth can be accomplished by lowering the humidity in the home and installing more insulation in this portion of the attic. If soffit vents are present, be careful not to block these with the insulation.

    Removing A Popcorn Ceiling

    How To Remove Black Mold From Your Bathroom Ceiling

    Always check for asbestos before removing your popcorn ceiling. If it was installed before 1979, the texture most likely contains some percentage of this carcinogen. Any scraping will cause health risks.

    If you have modern popcorn ceilings, you can remove them yourself, but you have to be ready for a big mess. Cover all surfaces with plastic drop cloths or completely remove the furniture.

    Wet the ceiling with water to make it easier to remove. It should soften, which will allow you to scrape off the texture. You can use a mud pan to collect most of the falling texture as you work in small sections.

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    How To Remove Ceiling Mold

    This article was co-authored by Mike Kapur. Mike Kapur is a home inspector and the owner of Sonic Home Inspections, a home inspection company in Westchester, New York. With over 15 years of experience in pre-inspecting properties, Mike specializes in mold, radon, asbestos, lead, water, and air quality testing as well as hazardous materials, pest, infrared, and general home inspections. Prior to founding Sonic Home Inspections, Mike worked pre-inspecting apartments. Mike holds a BS in Accounting from Queens College and is a Certified Mold Assessor in the state of New York.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 15 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 738,276 times.

    Ceiling mold is unsightly, unhealthy and a bit of a challenge to clean. It can also cause permanent damage to your home and must always be treated as soon as possible. Following a few simple steps can help you on your way to a clean and healthy ceiling.

    Removing Grease Stains From Popcorn Ceiling

    Before you go spraying water on your ceiling, you need to make sure it can handle it. Therefore, you want to spray a small section to make sure it doesn’t cause any issues. If it’s all good, then follow these steps.

  • Fill a large spray bottle with warm water and 3-4 drops of Dawn.

  • Shake it up.

  • Dab at the grease with the microfiber cloth.

  • Allow to dry for several hours.

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