How to Remove Textured Paint from your Walls

Textured paint was once very popular in homes, and many people decided to install it on walls and ceilings. Unfortunately, as fashions change, so textured paint has fallen out of fashion, and does not look likely to return. You may have some old textured paint walls which you have finally decided to get rid of, or you may have moved into a new home only to discover this horror once you remove cabinets or paneling. If, rather than cover over the textured paint with drywall, you wish to remove it completely, you may consider calling in an expert, but this can be expensive, and it is worth having a go yourself before you give up. Getting this job done doesn’t need the assistance of a professional if you have some basic home improvement skills. All you have to do is follow a few simple guidelines to get the project done quickly and easily.

Step 1 – Get Prepared

The first step is to get ready to remove the paint. Take off as much as you can strip away comfortably using a traditional paint scraper. Textured paint can contain asbestos, so you will need to use a face mask and safety gloves when you are stripping it. Take all of the paint which you remove and place it directly into the garbage in a sealed bag. Don't allow it to sit around on the floor for any length of time.

Step 2 – Use the Right Tools

Next you will have to remove the remaining textured paint. This is a lot more difficult than with ordinary paints due to the nature and ingredients of the substance. Some retailers may suggest you use a sander, as you might with any other paint-removal job, but this will be a mistake for two reasons. First, the  sander will cause a mess, and you will be cleaning away fragments of textured paint for years to come. Secondly, some forms of textured paint, such as Artex, have contained asbestos. You may not be sure whether your paint does or not, but it is not worth the risk of using a sander. Instead, use a steamer, which can be rented from most home improvement stores.

Step 3 – Using the Steamer

Operate the steamer as instructed in the manual, and then remove the damp paint using your scraper or the flat head of a screwdriver. This should peal off easily enough, although you can try steaming it again to make it come off more easily. You should be able to clean off a wall within a day, if you work hard.

Step 4 - Alternatives

If you don't fancy the task of scraping away at the paint, you could instead covering it with a caulking compound which will help to even out the highest parts of the paint. Fill the lower areas with the compound, and then leave to dry. Cover the entire wall with a layer of plaster, and proceed as though it were a fresh wall.