Asbestos Test
A sample sent to an accredited lab before any scraping on older ceilings. Positive results go to a licensed abatement contractor.
Test · Scrape · Smooth · Paint
Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Matthews, NC
Popcorn and acoustic ceilings tested for asbestos, then scraped with the room sealed in plastic, skim-coated smooth or given a new texture, primed and painted.
Mon-Sat 7 AM-6 PM · On-Site Estimate · Written Scope First
6 DaysPhone line
Mon to Sat
Mon to Sat
On-SiteEstimate at
your property
your property
WrittenScope before
work starts
work starts
28105Matthews, Mint Hill
& Stallings
& Stallings
TEST FIRST Older texture may contain asbestos
Spot one of these? Call to book an on-site estimate
Warning Signs
7 Reasons Matthews Homeowners Remove Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn texture was common on ceilings into the 1980s and 1990s. Here is why people take it down, and what to check first.
- 01 It collects dust and cobwebs and cannot be cleaned
- 02 It yellows and stains, and repainting makes it heavier
- 03 It makes rooms look dated in listing photos
- 04 Leak stains that cannot be spot-painted on the texture
- 05 It crumbles or flakes when touched
- 06 A remodel is opening up rooms and ceilings anyway
- 07 You want recessed lighting or fans without patching texture
Call (980) 243-8188 Phone line open · Mon-Sat 7 AM-6 PM
What We Cover What Popcorn Ceiling Removal
What Popcorn Ceiling Removal
in Matthews NC Includes
Scraping is the messy part. The work that makes the ceiling look right comes after it.
Full Containment
Floors and walls covered in plastic, vents sealed, furniture removed or wrapped, so the dust stays in the room.
Wet Scraping
Texture misted and scraped off in sections, which keeps dust down and protects the paper face of the drywall.
Skim Coat or New Texture
A smooth Level 4 or 5 skim coat, or a light knockdown or orange peel if the ceiling has flaws you would rather hide.
Prime & Paint
A primer made for new joint compound, then a flat ceiling paint that hides minor waves.
Cleanup & Disposal
Plastic rolled up with the debris inside, the room vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum, and waste removed.
Thinking of a whole-floor removal? It goes faster before furniture moves in; call early.
📞 Call (980) 243-8188 Local Conditions Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn Ceilings
in Matthews-Area Homes
Matthews has a large stock of homes built in the 1980s and 1990s, and spray-on popcorn and acoustic textures were common on ceilings of that era, especially in bedrooms and hallways. Most of those ceilings are now dusty, stained and heavy with repaint.
Before anyone scrapes, the texture should be tested. The EPA notes that some textured ceilings contain asbestos, and HomeGuide recommends testing ceilings installed before 1986. If a test comes back positive, the ceiling goes to a licensed abatement contractor, not a painter.
Once texture is off, what is under it is rarely perfect: builders sprayed popcorn partly to hide rough seams. We plan for a skim coat or a light texture rather than assuming a smooth ceiling, and in pre-1978 homes, painted ceilings also follow lead-safe practices.
- Lab test first on ceilings from before 1986
- Room sealed in plastic with vents covered
- Wet scraping to keep dust down
- Skim coat or new texture quoted up front
Pre-1986 ceilings to test for asbestos before scraping
2-3 days typical for one room: scrape, skim, prime and paint
Our Process How Popcorn Ceiling Removal
How Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Works, Step by Step
Test, contain, scrape, smooth, paint. A room is usually out of use for two to three days.
- 01
Test the Texture
A sample goes to an accredited lab. If it contains asbestos, we stop and refer you to licensed abatement.
- 02
Seal the Room
Furniture out, floors and walls in plastic, vents and fixtures covered, and power to ceiling fixtures off.
- 03
Scrape and Smooth
Texture wet-scraped, seams repaired, and a skim coat or new texture applied and sanded.
- 04
Prime, Paint and Clean Up
Primer and flat ceiling paint, plastic and debris removed, and the room vacuumed.
Ready for step one?
Call (980) 243-8188Guidance & Business Details
Test the Ceiling Before Anyone Scrapes
Ask whether the price includes the asbestos test, the skim coat or texture, primer and paint, and how the room will be sealed.
Read the Relevant Guidance
- EPA: Asbestos in the home
Why older textured ceilings should be tested before anyone scrapes them.
- EPA: Lead-safe renovation, repair and painting
Explains the lead-safe rules that apply when painting work disturbs paint in homes built before 1978.
Choose Your Next Step
- Popcorn ceilings and asbestos
Which ceilings to test and how.
- Smooth or textured after removal
Skim coat levels and when texture is smarter.
- Repaint the walls too
Walls are usually painted after a ceiling job.
- What popcorn removal costs
National benchmarks per square foot.
Business Details You Can Check
- Owner
- Matthews Painting Pros, Owner & Founder. Meet the team.
- Office and contact
- 250 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105. (980) 243-8188 · info@matthewspaintingpros.com. Office and contact details.
- Written warranty
- Every completed painting job comes with a 2-year written workmanship warranty. Read coverage, exclusions and how to claim.
- Contractor documentation
- Ask for a certificate of liability insurance, proof of workers' compensation where the law requires it, and for homes built before 1978 the lead-safe firm certification. Check North Carolina lead-safe firm certification.
- Your job documentation
- Request a written scope listing surfaces, prep steps, products, colors, sheen and number of coats. Use the written-estimate checklist.
Why Call Us How We Handle
How We Handle
Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Matthews NC
The test comes first and the dust stays in the room. Our team quotes the finish, not just the scraping.
- Asbestos test before scraping on older ceilings
- Room sealed in plastic with vents covered
- Wet scraping to keep dust down
- Skim coat or new texture written into the quote
- Positive tests referred to licensed abatement, never scraped by us
- 2-Year Workmanship Warranty on the finished ceiling paint
FAQ Popcorn Ceiling Removal Matthews NC:
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Matthews NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on cost, asbestos, mess and what the ceiling looks like after.
01 How much does popcorn ceiling removal cost in Matthews NC?
Removal is priced by square foot, plus testing and the finish you choose. HomeGuide's national benchmark is $2 to $6 per square foot including refinishing, or $2,000 to $9,000 for a typical home, with asbestos testing at $250 to $850 (October 2023).
Read the cost sources and assumptions.
Question about your property? Call (980) 243-8188 02 Does my popcorn ceiling have asbestos?
You cannot tell by looking. Asbestos was used in some textured ceiling products; testing is recommended for ceilings installed before 1986. A lab test of a small sample gives the answer.
Question about your property? Call (980) 243-8188 03 What happens if the test is positive?
We do not scrape it. Asbestos ceilings are removed by a licensed abatement contractor, or left in place and encapsulated. We can paint or refinish after abatement.
Question about your property? Call (980) 243-8188 04 How messy is popcorn ceiling removal?
Very, which is why the room is sealed in plastic and the texture is wet-scraped. The plastic rolls up with the debris, and the room is vacuumed afterward.
Question about your property? Call (980) 243-8188 05 Will my ceiling be smooth after removal?
Not without a skim coat. Ceilings under popcorn usually have rough seams. We either skim coat for a smooth finish or apply a light texture.
Question about your property? Call (980) 243-8188 06 Can you paint over popcorn instead?
Yes, with a thick-nap roller or sprayer, but it adds weight and makes later removal harder. If the texture is loose, paint can pull it down.
Question about your property? Call (980) 243-8188 07 How long does it take?
About two to three days per room or open area: scraping, skim coat drying time, sanding, primer and paint.
Question about your property? Call (980) 243-8188 08 Can I stay in the house?
Yes. The room being worked on is sealed off; the rest of the house stays usable.
Question about your property? Call (980) 243-8188 Ready to Start? Need Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Need Popcorn Ceiling Removal
in Matthews NC?
Tell us the rooms, the ceiling height, and roughly when the house was built. We will start with a test and a written scope.
Phone line open Mon-Sat 7 AM-6 PM Matthews, Mecklenburg & Union County
✓ On-site estimate✓ Written scope before work✓ Insured crew✓ Matthews, NC 28105