From the team at DeHaan Painting – Charlotte, NC
If you’ve ever seen or lived through a traditional popcorn ceiling removal project, you probably remember the mess. Plastic draped from wall to wall, soaking wet ceilings, piles of sticky debris falling to the floor, and hours (or days) of drying time before the job could even move forward. It was one of the most dreaded projects in residential remodeling for a reason.
At DeHaan Painting, we believe in doing things right—but we also believe in doing them smarter. That’s why we’ve completely overhauled how we remove popcorn texture from ceilings. Thanks to Festool’s revolutionary Planex dust-extraction sanding system, we’ve eliminated the need for water, plastic-wrapped rooms, and days of disruption.
🚫 The Old Way: Wet, Messy, and Slow
Let’s take a minute to understand what popcorn removal used to entail:
- First, the ceiling had to be sprayed with water to soften the texture.
- Then, a crew would scrape off the wet popcorn with long-handled tools—while standing under it.
- The soaked texture would fall in clumps, requiring tarps, buckets, and intensive cleanup.
- And then, you’d have to wait for the ceilings to dry—sometimes up to 24–48 hours—before patching, sanding, or painting could begin.
This method worked, but it created major inconvenience for homeowners and limited how efficiently we could complete a job.
✅ The New Way: Festool Planex + DeHaan Expertise
Enter the Festool Planex long-reach sander. This game-changing tool connects directly to a high-powered HEPA vacuum that captures the majority of dust right at the source. Instead of wetting and scraping, we now sand popcorn texture directly off the ceiling—and the debris is pulled into a sealed vacuum system as we go.
The Benefits Are Clear:
1. No Water = No Waiting
With our modern method, we no longer soak your ceilings. That means:
- No risk of moisture seeping into your drywall
- No waiting days for surfaces to dry before repairs or paint
- Faster project completion overall
2. Virtually Dust-Free
The Planex system is designed to collect dust the moment it’s created. Traditional popcorn removal filled homes with fine particles for weeks—even with plastic sheeting. Now, the dust is captured instantly, keeping your air cleaner and your home far less disrupted.
3. No Plastic Tent City
Because we’re not dealing with water or excessive debris, we don’t have to wrap your entire room in plastic. We still protect your space with floor protection, tape, and drop cloths—but the cleanup, prep time, and trash is dramatically reduced.
4. Smoother, More Consistent Results
By sanding instead of scraping, we have more control over the surface. That means fewer gouges in the drywall, less pulled drywall tape, a more even finish, and easier transition into skim-coating or priming. It’s a more professional approach from start to finish.
✅ The New Way: Festool Planex + DeHaan Expertise
Enter the Festool Planex long-reach sander. This game-changing tool connects directly to a high-powered HEPA vacuum that captures the majority of dust right at the source. Instead of wetting and scraping, we now sand popcorn texture directly off the ceiling—and the debris is pulled into a sealed vacuum system as we go.
The Benefits Are Clear:
1. No Water = No Waiting
With our modern method, we no longer soak your ceilings. That means:
- No risk of moisture seeping into your drywall
- No waiting days for surfaces to dry before repairs or paint
- Faster project completion overall
2. Virtually Dust-Free
The Planex system is designed to collect dust the moment it’s created. Traditional popcorn removal filled homes with fine particles for weeks—even with plastic sheeting. Now, the dust is captured instantly, keeping your air cleaner and your home far less disrupted.
3. No Plastic Tent City
Because we’re not dealing with water or excessive debris, we don’t have to wrap your entire room in plastic. We still protect your space with floor protection, tape, and drop cloths—but the cleanup, prep time, and trash is dramatically reduced.
4. Smoother, More Consistent Results
By sanding instead of scraping, we have more control over the surface. That means fewer gouges in the drywall, less pulled drywall tape, a more even finish, and easier transition into skim-coating or priming. It’s a more professional approach from start to finish.
What This Means for Homeowners
At DeHaan Painting, our goal is to provide high-quality craftsmanship without turning your home into a construction zone. With this improved popcorn ceiling removal method, you get:
- A cleaner home during the project
- A shorter overall timeline
- A better final finish on your ceilings
- Less disruption to your daily life
Whether you’re living in your home during the work or preparing a property for sale, this approach minimizes the stress—and mess—of ceiling updates.
What This Means for Homeowners
At DeHaan Painting, our goal is to provide high-quality craftsmanship without turning your home into a construction zone. With this improved popcorn ceiling removal method, you get:
- A cleaner home during the project
- A shorter overall timeline
- A better final finish on your ceilings
- Less disruption to your daily life
Whether you’re living in your home during the work or preparing a property for sale, this approach minimizes the stress—and mess—of ceiling updates.
Common Questions About Our Painting & Popcorn Removal Services
Not necessarily. Our low-dust system and localized work areas mean most homeowners in Charlotte can stay in their homes while we work. We coordinate schedules to minimize disruption.
Yes. We provide full skim-coating, priming, and painting services so your ceilings look fresh, smooth, and updated—like the texture was never there.
Absolutely. Our professional equipment and scaffolding allow us to safely handle vaulted and high ceilings. The Planex system is designed for efficient overhead work.
Most standard rooms are completed within 1–2 days, depending on size and complexity. Larger homes or vaulted ceilings may require more time for preparation and finishing.
Yes. All DeHaan Painting projects come with a 2-year workmanship warranty, giving you peace of mind that your ceilings and paint will look great for years.
