Ceiling Repair and Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Frederick, MD

A stained, cracked or sagging ceiling is hard to ignore, and dated popcorn texture can make an otherwise updated room feel old. Samuel Construction Group repairs drywall and plaster ceilings and removes popcorn ceilings for homeowners in Frederick and across Frederick County. We find the cause of the damage, make the repair, match the texture and paint so the ceiling looks like one smooth surface again. We are a licensed general contractor (MHIC #134199) with more than 10 years of experience.

Ceiling Repairs We Handle

• Water damage: stained, soft or sagging drywall under bathrooms, attics and roof leaks, replaced once the source is fixed.
• Cracks: cracked tape joints, settling cracks and long cracks across plaster ceilings.
• Sagging drywall: panels that have pulled away from the joists, refastened or replaced.
• Nail and screw pops: refastened and blended in.
• Holes: patches after plumbing, electrical, attic or light fixture work.
• Texture matching: smooth, knockdown, orange peel and popcorn patches matched to the surrounding ceiling.

Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Popcorn, or acoustic, ceilings were common in homes built from the 1950s through the 1980s, and plenty of Frederick County houses from that era still have them. Removing the texture brightens a room, makes it easier to clean and is often the first step before new lighting or paint. Our process:

1. Test first: if your home was built before the 1980s, we ask for an asbestos test by an accredited lab before any scraping. We do not disturb a ceiling that tests positive; that work must be done by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.
2. Protect the room: floors and walls are covered in plastic, furniture is moved or wrapped, and vents are sealed.
3. Remove the texture: unpainted popcorn is wetted and scraped. Painted popcorn does not scrape well, so we recommend a skim coat over it or new drywall instead.
4. Skim coat and sand: the bare drywall is repaired and skim coated so the ceiling is smooth, then sanded with dust control.
5. Prime and paint: a ceiling primer and paint finish the job, with optional new light fixtures while the ceiling is open.

Water Damaged Ceilings: Fix the Cause First

A brown ring on the ceiling means water came through at some point. Before we patch, we find out why: a leaking toilet seal or shower valve above, a failed roof flashing, ice damming or a condensation problem in the attic. Repairing the ceiling without fixing the source just means doing it twice. Our roofing and plumbing trades can handle the cause, and we finish with a stain blocking primer so the mark does not bleed through the new paint.

Plaster Ceilings in Older Frederick Homes

Homes in downtown Frederick and older neighborhoods often have plaster ceilings over wood lath. When plaster cracks and sags it can pull away from the lath, which needs to be reattached, not just painted over. Depending on the condition we stabilize and repair the plaster, skim coat it, or install new drywall over the old ceiling.

Ceiling Repair Cost

Cost depends on the size of the damaged area, whether it is drywall or plaster, the texture, the ceiling height and whether the whole ceiling needs paint so the repair blends in. Popcorn removal is priced by the room or square foot, and painted popcorn or a ceiling that needs a full skim coat costs more. We give you a written, itemized price after looking at the ceiling. Small ceiling patches can often be combined with other repairs through our handyman services.

Areas We Serve

We repair ceilings and remove popcorn texture in Frederick, Urbana, Ballenger Creek, Walkersville, Middletown, New Market, Mount Airy, Ijamsville and Thurmont. In Hagerstown and Washington County, see our drywall repair in Hagerstown page. For walls as well as ceilings, visit our main drywall contractor page, and pair the work with our interior painting.

Ceiling Repair FAQs

Does my popcorn ceiling contain asbestos? It might if it was applied before the 1980s. Spray on ceiling texture containing asbestos was banned in the late 1970s, but older stock was used for some years afterward. The only way to know is to have a sample tested by an accredited lab before anyone scrapes it. If it tests positive, removal has to be handled by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

Is it better to remove popcorn or cover it? Removing it gives the cleanest result. If the texture has been painted, which makes scraping very difficult, skim coating over it or installing new drywall over the old ceiling can be the better option. We tell you which approach suits your ceiling after a look.

How do you fix a water stained ceiling? First we find and fix the leak. Then we cut out drywall that is soft or sagging, replace it, tape and finish it, match the texture and prime with a stain blocking primer before painting so the stain does not bleed through.

How long does popcorn ceiling removal take? A single room usually takes one to three days because the ceiling needs to be wetted, scraped, skim coated, dried, sanded, primed and painted. A whole floor takes longer. Furniture is covered or moved and the room is sealed off to control dust.

Ready for a smooth ceiling again? Call (301) 762-2781 or request a free ceiling repair estimate. Samuel Construction Group is licensed and insured, MHIC #134199.