Repairing Popcorn Texture after Water Damage in Chicopee MA
Water damage turns popcorn ceilings into a sagging, discolored mess and can promote mold growth if left unchecked. Start by fixing the leak at its source? Once dry, if you will be scraping the texture, test for asbestos (in pre-1980 homes); if positive, stop and hire certified abatement professionals. For asbestos-free ceilings, cut out heavily damaged sections with a blade knife or a saw with a vacuum attachment, leaving a clean, straight edge. Lightly mist the undamaged surrounding area with water, then gently scrape away loose material. Feather the edges to blend the repair.
To reapply texture, use premixed popcorn repair spray in a can, or rent an air compressor and dedicated spray texture hopper from the Home Depot rental department. Practice on cardboard first. The rented dedicated popcorn sprayer will do a much better job than the cans. When ready to spray, practice on cardboard to dial in the pressure and tip size to match the existing. Spray in light, even passes, adding more where it looks bare. Let it dry 24 hours, then check to make sure there is enough texture; if not, add more. Once the texture is dry, if the color doesn't match, prime and paint with flat ceiling paint.