A lot of people have a popcorn textured ceiling in their home. A lot of people also wish that they didn't. What was a popular ceiling treatment in the 60's and 70's is now often considered a dated look.
So how do you get rid of a popcorn ceiling?
Well, I wish the answer were as easy as a 1, 2 3 step tutorial. You see the problem is that a lot of popcorn ceilings were installed containing asbestos. Therefore removal of asbestos is regulated by the government and may be hazardous if it becomes airborne. To remove it you have the best chance of success if the popcorn material has never been painted. Why? Because you will have to saturate the popcorn material with water so it does not release airborne fibers when being taken down. By not being painted it will absorb water easier. If your popcorn ceiling has been painted then the chances of you removing it by yourself are not very good. It may well require a professional licensed contractor in asbestos abatement.
One of the best step by step guides I've seen on popcorn ceiling removal is done by the Olympic Region Clean air Agency (ORCAA) out of Olympia, WA. In their guide book "How to Properly Remove Spray-On "Popcorn" Ceilings" they state:
If after trying various spray procedures, you are unable to get water through the paint in order to saturate the “popcorn” to the ceiling substrate, do not undertake this project. Leave the ceiling alone or hire an asbestos abatement contractor to do the work. If you remove this ceiling dry, you will contaminate your home with asbestos and expose yourself and your family to potentially high concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers. These fibers may remain in your home indefinitely."
You may download the ORCAA popcorn removal guide here.
