Acoustic Ceiling Removal

How to Prepare For Acoustic Ceiling Removal

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The removal of acoustic ceilings, commonly known as "popcorn" or "cottage cheese" ceilings, is a process undertaken to update and modernize a space. These textured ceilings were popular in the mid-20th century for their acoustic properties, but they have fallen out of favor due to their dated appearance and potential health concerns associated with asbestos in older installations. Here's a brief overview of the process:

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AC Interiors Inc specializes in the removal of Non Asbestos Acoustic Ceilings. We will remove the acoustic material from your ceilings, refinish, and spray a Texture or Smooth Finish to give your ceilings a polished look. If testing shows Asbestos in the Acoustic, we can Hang Drywall over your existing ceilings to Encapsulate allowing you to avoid costly Abatement costs.

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As an acoustic ceiling removal contractor we are a specialized professional or company that specializes in the removal of textured acoustic ceilings, often referred to as "popcorn" or "cottage cheese" ceilings. We as a contractor are skilled in safely and efficiently removing this type of ceiling material, which may have been popular in the past but is now often considered outdated or undesirable. Acoustic ceiling removal contractors typically offer the following services:

1. **Ceiling Assessment:** We will inspect the existing acoustic ceiling to determine its composition, including whether it contains asbestos. In older buildings built prior to 1978, acoustic ceilings may contain asbestos, a hazardous material that requires special handling and disposal.

2. **Asbestos Testing:** If there is a suspicion that the acoustic ceiling contains asbestos, we may suggest an asbestos testing to confirm its presence. If asbestos is detected, specialized procedures will be followed by an abatement company to ensure safe removal and disposal.

3. **Ceiling Removal:** We will do the acoustic ceiling removal from the ceiling surface. This process often involves scraping or wetting the acoustic material to loosen it from the ceiling substrate.

4. **Surface Preparation:** After removing the popcorn ceiling material, we prepare the ceiling surface for further finishing. This will include re coating all the drywall joints, nails, and angles to bring to specs for texture or smooth finish application.

5. **Ceiling Finishing:** Depending on the client's preferences, we may finish the ceiling with a smooth surface or apply a different texture or finish, such as a flat, textured, or painted ceiling.

6. **Clean-Up and Disposal:** We are responsible for cleaning and disposing of all non asbestos removed materials.

7. **Painting or Re-Finishing:** Some contractors offer painting or refinishing services to complete the ceiling's new look after the acoustic material is removed.

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Clients Preparation For Acoustic Ceiling Removal Prior to our Arrival​

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Please remove your valuable items and all other items from the tops of tables/upper shelves/desks/counters/closets top shelf/coffee tables etc. (computers and stereo equipment ok) 

Please do not leave items in the center of rooms.

Any televisions should be turned backward and covered by client in soft cloth.

Any small items of furniture and fragile glass table tops removed. 

All pictures where work is to be performed.

Any drapery/blinds that are hung from or less than 12 inches from ceiling. 

All clothing or other articles from closets 

All other items please leave against the walls no more than 2 feet out. 

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Our Procedure Acoustic Ceiling Removal-Non Asbestos

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All walls will be masked off in .33 mil plastic using 2 inch white masking tape, other types tend to delaminate and fall.

All remaining furniture will be covered in plastic for protection.

All carpet/tile floors will be masked with 1 mil plastic.

All hardwood floors will be covered with rosin paper then 1 mil plastic sheeting water and dust tight. 

All lighting/fans or fan blades will be removed and left down for texture dry time and painting. A.C. Interiors normally doesn't reinstall lighting because of texture and paint dry time.

If wallpaper exists and depending on how delicate we ask to use staples or blue tape.

We will  then put an additional garbage layer of plastic on top to catch all the debris. This gets rolled up and removed leaving a clean slate for us to work on.

Acoustic ceiling removal will then be wet down to absorb. We will remove and dispose non asbestos acoustic debris. In most cases we believe in letting the ceilings dry out until the next morning before we sand the drywall. After acoustic removal will sand use vacuum sanders to dust to a minimum.

After sanding the drywall we look for any damage found under the acoustic and will repair minor areas free of cost. If other than minor we ask you meet with us to go over any issues found ie water damage, prior unprofessional patch work, primed drywall from previous acoustic respray.

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Ceiling Joint Taping

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This process takes years of hands-on experience​

We use only our crew of seasoned journeyman, level, drywall trade specific tapers for this process. We will then apply the 2-3 coats of joint compound (mud) over all joints, nails and angles as mentioned above to prep for the finish you want.

We will then vacuum sand again.

We will then apply the Texture or Smooth Finish of your choice. Depending on your  style of finish, level 4 smooth seems to the most popular today. 

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Advice

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Which ever company you decide to hire for your Acoustic Ceiling Removal ensure they are C9 licensed, insured, and most importantly trade specific to the drywall industry only. Drywall Taping takes years to perfect, it is a skilled trade, we do this all day, every day. It is not about removing the cottage cheese ceiling then go straight to paint, anybody can do that. Keep in mind it will end up costing you more than the initial bid just to repair work by the unprofessional jack of all trades.

Also, we would suggest avoiding the "on-day companies" because there are key procedures that need to be followed such as dry times, mud shrinkage, touch up after sanding etc.

Hot mud is a go to for the one-day guys. Hot mud or smooth set is an excellent product, we use it as well. It is designed to harden up (not dry) enough to apply another coat of joint compound. It comes in 20/40/90 minute set times BUT this product does not dry completely for about 24 hours. If you've read this far you get a 5% discount, just ask. We like our drywall patching, repair, and taping to be fully cured before vacuum sanding and applying the Texture Coat, Orange Peel, Skip Trowel, Knockdown, Smooth Finish, and Santa Fe Ceiling and Wall Texture.

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Asbestos

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Any home built prior to 1978 will need to be tested prior ta an Acoustic Ceiling Removal. It is illegal for anyone other than the homeowner or a state certified abatement company to remove asbestos containing acoustic however we can legally provide an Encapsulation by hanging drywall over the top. If abatement you will need a drywall company to come tape and float to finish the ceilings. It is not necessary to pay someone any amount of money to do an Acoustic Ceiling Removal come to your house and have it tested. They will charge you up to $250.00 when you can do it yourself for $40.We refer Western Analytical Labs in Arleta. All done through the internet and email. All you will have to do is mail them a teaspoon size sample. They will have your results 24-48 hours, simple.