How should we address our peeling popcorn ceiling in the bathroom – scrape off, paint over, or replace with moisture-resistant material?
Asked by Aaron Meunier 
2 weeks ago
Last Updated: November 11, 2024
Do you have any suggestions on how to address this issue? The popcorn ceiling in our hallway bathroom has started to peel off gradually. We’re planning to install a new exhaust fan because I believe the current one has been in place since the house was built in ’85 and may have caused poor ventilation.
Should we simply scrape off the remaining popcorn, paint over it, or do we need to remove a larger section of the ceiling and replace it altogether? If replacement is necessary, should we use regular drywall or opt for the moisture-resistant drywall typically used in bathrooms and shower walls?
Scrape off any imperfections, apply mud, sand it down, then retexture the ceiling. The issue is that the ceiling was never properly painted, so the drywall mud absorbed moisture over time and started to come loose. That’s why it’s important to paint ceilings.
Scrape off old paint, prime the surface, then paint
The remaining part of the ceiling will eventually start to peel off. You should remove all the popcorn from the entire ceiling. Super easy to do with a garden sprayer, lightly spray water across the ceiling, wait 15 minutes, repeat, and then use a plastic scraper to easily remove the popcorn. Decide whether to reapply popcorn, add texture, and paint with interior satin latex. Fixing just the current patches will lead to repeating the process until the whole ceiling is done. So, it’s better to do it all now.
We were originally planning to paint the entire ceiling. Honestly, I think we could just scrape it off right now without needing to spray anything.
That’s great, it makes things easier. If you encounter any difficulties, using a little water can help. The moisture-resistant Sheetrock (green board) only really needs to be used inside the tub/shower enclosure. Unless you notice mold or soft spots on the ceiling, I’m confident the Sheetrock will be fine for texturing and painting. Enjoy the process!
I agree. I would also like to mention that where the popcorn ceiling was applied over taped joints, it will likely be harder to remove than over bare plaster board. As others have pointed out, some joints might need to be retaped.
Popcorn ceilings are just so tacky and remind me of old-school communism from the 1940s.
Make sure to check your bath fan exhaust first and see if it’s releasing moist air into the area above.
Many people will advise you on this, but be extremely careful when dealing with popcorn ceilings because of potential Asbestos exposure.
Make sure to wear the right protective gear, scrape off the popcorn texture, apply a thin layer of lightweight compound, prime, and paint. Some may suggest priming before applying mud for better adhesion.
Also, definitely replace the fan! There are new models available that come with LED lights and even a Bluetooth speaker, haha.
Asbestos is not very common in a 1985 building, but it’s always a good idea to wear proper PPE.
I agree about getting a new fan that fits the space (there are charts available), and it will likely be much quieter. Replacing a fan can be tricky, especially without access from above, but it’s necessary.
The textured surface is made of paper pulp that is applied with water. Typically, new construction has a smooth finish. Head to the hardware store and pick up a spring-loaded access panel, usually available in sizes like 6×9 or 8×8. Cut a hole to inspect if there is any mold damage on the top of the drywall. If there are black spots or any signs of mold, it’s best to have it professionally replaced. Remember to wear an N95 mask and eye protection while cutting. You may also consider using an electrical stick or non-contact electric tester to ensure there are no wires or lights where you are making the cut for the access panel.
Make sure the wiring for the fan/light isn’t in the way while cutting the access panel.
I see a few problems that are not very difficult to fix, but will require physical work overhead leading to sore shoulders, neck, and back. You might end up using a lot of ibuprofen in the near future. The ceiling was never painted, and the mud work is questionable. There are signs of bad taping all over the house, with loose joints and gaps. Investigate any moisture issues above the bathroom to prevent any mold problems. Consider addressing wet insulation if found. Since the house was built in 1985, asbestos should not be a concern. Fix bad tape joints, replace with hot mud, and ensure proper ceiling fastening before priming, painting, and possibly adding a skim coat or new drywall.
Ours is facing the same issue – the vent fan doesn’t blow air outside, only to a small area above the bathroom. The warm moist air from the shower meets cold surfaces in that area, leading to condensation that causes the tape to lift. It’s common for textured ceilings not to be painted, allowing them to be easily scrubbed off for a smooth surface. If your vent fan doesn’t have an external vent, it’s likely causing the problem.
First things first… make sure your fan is properly vented outside!!! If not, that could be why the room is retaining moisture and causing the popcorn to deteriorate over time, regardless of how well it was initially applied!
In the past, building codes allowed vents into the attic (in my case at least) which led to mold and mildew issues in various climates.
I upgraded my bath fans to ones with higher air movement (measured in cubic feet per minute – “CFM”) and ensured proper vents leading outside.
Since my roof is pitched on all sides, I had to vent through the soffit. (If there was a wall option, I would have considered that.) I even used stainless steel dryer vents for the exterior, with added backflow valves in the vents, although I wish I had purchased both stainless vents at the same time 😕
This solution has been effective for me, especially during the winter when I can see the steam leaving the house. I almost invested in a moisture sensor switch, but the old nickname “fart fan” kept me from doing so 🤣🤣🤣
Also, be mindful of blown-in insulation… it could be fiberglass, cellulose, or a combination of both. My old fans were filled with it.
‘t worry about scraping. Just go ahead and install new 1/4″ drywall over it.
Consider getting a Panasonic fan… they offer models that can extract 150 CFM, which is ideal for addressing moisture problems. I would suggest applying 1/4″ sheetrock over the popcorn ceiling.