Project photos
Before the scraper. After the skim coat.
Real popcorn ceiling removal jobs in New Braunfels and surrounding areas.
That bumpy texture made sense in 1974. It doesn't anymore. Roland scrapes it off, skims the ceiling smooth, and leaves it paint-ready - so your freshly updated room actually looks updated all the way to the top.
SS Drywall Repair removes popcorn ceilings throughout New Braunfels and the surrounding Hill Country - from older homes in the historic Gruene and downtown districts to 1980s and 1990s builds in established neighborhoods like Emerald Forest and Oak Run. Roland handles the full job himself: scraping, skim coating, sanding, and leaving the ceiling paint-ready. The room must be empty before work begins. Call (830) 500-1866 for a free in-home estimate.
Popcorn removal done right is a multi-step process. Skipping any part of it is what leaves ceilings looking patchy or uneven after painting.
The popcorn texture is lightly misted with water to soften it, then scraped off the ceiling in sections. Roland works carefully to avoid gouging the drywall beneath - damage created during scraping means extra skim coat work later. Floors are fully protected before any work starts.
After scraping, the ceiling surface is rarely smooth - there are scuff marks, small gouges, uneven tape seams, and areas where the paper face of the drywall got pulled. A skim coat of joint compound is applied across the entire ceiling to create a flat, consistent surface. This is the step most DIY attempts skip, and it's why professionally removed ceilings look better.
Once the skim coat dries, it's sanded smooth. Roland checks the surface under raking light - the harshest test for flatness - before calling it done. The ceiling is left paint-ready: clean, flat, and consistent across the entire surface. You choose whether you want smooth or a light orange peel texture applied before painting.
Popcorn removal is a bigger project than most wall repairs. These four things need to be sorted before Roland shows up.
Every piece of furniture, every fixture, every item on the walls needs to come out before work begins. Popcorn removal is wet and messy - Roland protects floors thoroughly, but the room itself must be cleared. This isn't negotiable.
Popcorn ceilings installed before 1980 may contain asbestos. Have the material tested by a certified inspector before scheduling removal. Roland works on ceilings that have been tested and cleared - he does not perform asbestos testing or abatement.
If the popcorn ceiling has been painted over, the moisture-softening method doesn't work as effectively. Painted popcorn needs to be dry-scraped or the drywall beneath may need to be skim coated more heavily. Roland will note this during the estimate.
Roland leaves the ceiling paint-ready - smooth, primed, and sanded flat. Painting is a separate step. If you need a painter referral in the New Braunfels area, Roland is happy to point you in the right direction.
Roland keeps the process simple and the communication clear from estimate to finish.
Roland assesses the ceiling, notes if it's been painted, checks for any problem areas, and gives a written quote.
All furniture and belongings out before the scheduled start. Roland handles floor protection on his end.
Popcorn is misted and scraped section by section. Careful scraping preserves the drywall face beneath.
Full ceiling skim coat applied, dried, and sanded flat. Checked under raking light before moving on.
Clean, smooth, primed, and ready for your painter. Roland walks you through the finished ceiling before leaving.
Real popcorn ceiling removal jobs in New Braunfels and surrounding areas.
New Braunfels is one of Texas's fastest-growing cities with a competitive resale market. Homeowners removing popcorn ceilings as part of pre-sale updates are one of Roland's most common customers.
Established New Braunfels neighborhoods like Oak Run, Westside, and areas near downtown were built when popcorn was standard. Many of these homes are now going through first or second-time renovations.
With the Comal River drawing visitors year-round, many NB homeowners run short-term rentals. Popcorn ceiling removal is a popular upgrade that improves listing photos and guest reviews.
New Braunfels has a large stock of homes built between 1970 and 1995 - exactly the era when popcorn ceilings were considered standard. Roland has removed popcorn ceilings in homes across the full range: small starter homes near the historic district, larger family homes in Creekside and Gruene Estates, and older ranch-style properties along the Canyon Lake corridor.
Every ceiling is a little different. Some homes have multiple coats of paint over the popcorn, which changes the scraping approach. Some have original drywall that's held up well; others have ceiling boards that need extra skim coat attention. Roland assesses it all during the estimate so there are no surprises mid-job.
Consistently, yes. Smooth ceilings photograph better, feel more modern, and remove a common objection for buyers who would otherwise want to negotiate the cost down. Roland regularly works with homeowners preparing for sale and can often schedule quickly to fit closing timelines. We also serve San Marcos, San Antonio, Seguin, and Canyon Lake.
"Rolland responded the same day with a reasonable bid to knock down the hideous popcorn ceiling in our recently purchased home. He then perfectly masked the repair... we couldn't be more happy."
"Roland and his team did a wonderful job on ceiling, wall repair, and texturing. I am beyond satisfied. He was fair and reasonable but so much more. He kept in constant communication throughout."
"Highly recommended!! Roland did a fantastic job! I will be calling him again the next time I need drywall work!!"
If your home was built before 1980, yes. Popcorn ceilings from that era may contain asbestos. Have the material tested by a certified inspector before scheduling any removal. Roland works on ceilings that have been tested and cleared.
Yes, completely. All furniture, fixtures, and items need to be removed before Roland arrives. The scraping process is wet and messy regardless of how carefully it's done, and protecting a full room of furniture adds time and doesn't eliminate risk.
Smooth, flat, and paint-ready. After scraping, Roland applies a skim coat, sands it flat, and checks it under raking light. You can have it left smooth or ask for a light texture before painting.
Never. Roland does every job himself - no subcontractors or crew members. That's the same person who gave you the estimate, and that's the person doing the work.
Free estimate. Same-day response. Roland picks up the phone.