How to Remove Texture from Walls: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tired of that bumpy, dated texture staring back at you every time you walk into a room? Many homes built in past decades feature textured walls, a design choice that can now feel out of sync with modern aesthetics. While texture was originally used to hide imperfections or add visual interest, it can make a room feel smaller, collect dust, and simply look outdated. Fortunately, removing wall texture is a project many homeowners can tackle themselves, transforming their living spaces with a smoother, more contemporary finish.

Removing texture from walls isn’t just about aesthetics; it can significantly impact your home’s value and appeal. A smooth wall surface provides a blank canvas for modern paint colors, wallpapers, and artwork, creating a brighter, more spacious feel. Furthermore, smooth walls are easier to clean and maintain, offering a practical benefit alongside the visual upgrade. By taking on this DIY project, you’re not only updating your home’s look but also potentially increasing its resale value.

What tools will I need, and what are the most common removal methods?

What tools do I need to remove textured walls effectively?

Removing textured walls requires a combination of tools for scraping, sanding, and potentially dampening or dissolving the texture. Essential tools include a wide drywall knife (6-12 inches), a pump sprayer (for water or texture removal solution), drywall sanding sponges or a sanding block with various grits of sandpaper (120-220 grit), drop cloths or plastic sheeting, painter’s tape, a taping knife, joint compound, and safety gear like eye protection and a dust mask.

Removing textured walls is a messy process, so proper preparation is key. Before you even pick up a tool, cover the floor and any furniture with drop cloths or plastic sheeting and secure them with painter’s tape. This protects surfaces from water damage, texture debris, and joint compound splatters. Painter’s tape should also be used around trim, ceilings, and other areas you want to protect. The method you use to remove the texture will influence which tools become critical. For example, if the texture is easily scraped off after dampening, a wide drywall knife will be your primary tool. If the texture is more stubborn or the “scrape and skim” method isn’t suitable, a chemical texture remover spray and appropriate safety gear (gloves, respirator) will be necessary. Sanding is almost always part of the process, especially after applying joint compound to smooth the wall. A sanding pole can be extremely helpful for reaching high walls and ceilings.

Is it better to skim coat or remove texture completely?

Whether it’s better to skim coat or completely remove texture from walls depends largely on the type of texture, your skill level, and the desired final result. Skim coating is generally faster and less messy, but only works well on lightly textured walls. Removing the texture entirely offers a perfectly smooth finish, but is more labor-intensive and can be more difficult to execute flawlessly.

For lightly textured walls, like orange peel or subtle knockdown, skim coating is often the preferred method. It involves applying thin layers of joint compound over the existing texture to create a smooth surface. This is a less invasive approach than completely removing the texture because it avoids potential damage to the drywall underneath. If you’re comfortable with applying joint compound and sanding, skim coating can be a cost-effective and efficient solution. It’s also a good choice if you’re concerned about dust and debris created during texture removal. However, for heavily textured walls, such as popcorn texture (especially if it contains asbestos, which requires professional abatement) or very thick knockdown, complete removal is usually the better option. Trying to skim coat over a deeply textured surface will require numerous coats of joint compound, making the process time-consuming and potentially leading to cracking or an uneven finish. Removing the texture ensures a completely smooth base, providing the best possible surface for painting or wallpapering. Be aware that removing texture can damage the drywall, requiring subsequent patching and skim coating anyway. Ultimately, the decision boils down to assessing the texture’s severity, your comfort level with DIY projects, and your desired aesthetic. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to consult with a professional contractor who can evaluate your walls and recommend the most appropriate course of action.

What’s the best way to deal with lead paint when removing wall texture?

The best way to deal with lead paint when removing wall texture is to assume that any paint in a home built before 1978 contains lead and to take appropriate precautions, including testing, containment, and using wet removal methods or professional abatement services. Avoid sanding or dry scraping, as these methods create hazardous lead dust.

When dealing with textured walls, the potential presence of lead paint significantly complicates the removal process. Before commencing any work, it is crucial to have the texture and underlying paint layers tested for lead by a certified professional. If lead is confirmed, the safest course of action is often to hire a certified lead abatement contractor. These professionals have the training, equipment, and experience to safely remove or encapsulate the lead paint in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. If you choose to tackle the project yourself, meticulous adherence to lead-safe work practices is essential. This includes creating a contained work area with plastic sheeting, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a respirator, gloves, and disposable coveralls, and employing wet removal methods to minimize dust. Wetting the texture before scraping or using a wet sanding sponge can significantly reduce the amount of airborne lead particles. After the removal, proper disposal of the contaminated waste is crucial, following local guidelines for hazardous materials. Improper handling of lead paint can expose you, your family, and the environment to serious health risks.

What are the different types of textured walls and how does removal vary?

The most common types of textured walls include orange peel, popcorn, knockdown, and swirl, with removal varying significantly based on the type of texture, its age, and whether it contains asbestos. Orange peel and swirl textures, being relatively thin, are often easily removed with moisture and scraping, while popcorn texture (especially older applications) presents challenges due to its thickness, potential asbestos content, and tendency to crumble. Knockdown textures fall somewhere in between, often requiring multiple applications of moisture and careful scraping.

The critical factor influencing removal difficulty is often the composition of the texture itself. Older popcorn ceilings, installed before the late 1970s, frequently contain asbestos, a hazardous material. Disturbing asbestos-containing texture during removal releases fibers into the air, posing serious health risks. If you suspect asbestos, professional testing and abatement are absolutely necessary. Attempting to remove it yourself is strongly discouraged and may be illegal in some jurisdictions.

Beyond asbestos, the adhesion strength of the texture to the underlying drywall affects the removal process. Textures that were applied to unprimed or poorly prepared surfaces tend to be more difficult to remove, often requiring more aggressive scraping and potentially damaging the drywall. Conversely, textures applied over properly primed surfaces typically release more easily with moisture and gentle scraping. In some cases, covering the texture with a new layer of drywall may be a more cost-effective and less messy alternative to complete removal, particularly for heavily textured or difficult-to-remove finishes.