Santa Rosa has many houses from the 1960s and 1970s that still have their original acoustic ceilings. Texture of that age can contain asbestos, so it needs a lab test before anyone scrapes it. Once a ceiling is cleared, we remove the texture, smooth the surface and paint it.
Sprayed acoustic ceilings were standard in the ranch houses and tracts that spread across Santa Rosa in the 1960s and 1970s, and thousands of homes still have them. Owners want them gone because they hold dust, shadow the room, crumble when touched and are almost impossible to patch after a leak. Taking the texture off and finishing the ceiling smooth, or with a light modern texture, makes rooms look brighter and taller without changing anything else.
Testing comes before anything else. Ceiling texture from that period can contain asbestos, and there is no way to tell by looking. A small sample goes to a laboratory. If the result is positive, removal is work for a licensed asbestos abatement contractor, not for a painter, and we will tell you that plainly. If the result is clear, we empty or cover the room, seal floors and walls in plastic, dampen the texture and scrape it off in sheets.
Scraping is only half the job. The board underneath was never finished for view, so joints and screw heads usually need new compound, sanding and a coat of primer before paint. This is dusty, wet work and the room is out of use while it happens, normally for a few days including drying. Ceilings that were painted over are slower, because paint stops water from soaking in. We check for that at the estimate and quote accordingly.
Popcorn ceiling removal in Santa Rosa: common questions
Is there asbestos in my Santa Rosa popcorn ceiling?
Nobody can say without a lab test. Texture sprayed in the 1960s and 1970s sometimes contains it, and some later ceilings do too. Do not scrape or sand a sample area yourself. Have it tested first.
What happens if the test comes back positive?
Then the ceiling should be removed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor, or left alone and undisturbed. Once it has been properly removed and cleared, we can finish and paint the ceiling.
Can the ceiling be covered instead of scraped?
Sometimes. New drywall can be fastened over the old ceiling, which avoids scraping. It lowers the ceiling slightly and needs taping and finishing. It is worth comparing when the texture has been painted many times.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.