How To Smooth Textured Walls

Whilst textured walls were once used as a feature to add personality to a home, or even hide imperfections, if you have just moved into a home that is full of ‘em, it is no surprise that you may want to cover the lot. However, the thought of getting rid of them might prove daunting, and rightly so. You could just hire a professional to do the job for you, or, you can do it yourself. Whilst it might be time consuming and a little messy, if you have the knowledge and know-how, you will be able to do it with as little mess as possible. That being said, it may prove a little tricky - but not impossible. In this article we shall take a look at how you can smooth out a rough surface on a while without resorting to calling a professional.

Before you put in the effort to get smoother walls, you will need to prepare for the job. This means covering whatever is necessary to avoid any unwanted mess. In fact, this job can get rather messy with drywall dust, so make sure to cover the flooring, furniture and remove objects off the wall. If you don’t have any material to cover objects with, then take them out of the room if possible, as nothing will get dirty and you will prevent any damage!

What You Will Need

Smoothing textured walls requires several tools and materials, depending on the level of texture and the finish you want. Here's a list of the essential tools needed, with a few optional things included:

• Spray bottle

• Sandpaper

• Drywall sander

• Sanding sponge

• Scraper or Putty Knife

• Drywall knife

• Taping knife

• Gloves

• Safety goggles & a dust mask or respirator

• Primer

• Paint roller

• Mud pan

What are the common methods to smooth textured walls?

Smoothing walls can be done using several common techniques, each suited to different types of textures and levels of desired smooth finish. Here are the most common methods:

1. Skim Coating Process - Skim coating is the most popular method for smoothing out walls. It involves applying a thin layer of joint compound (also known as drywall mud or drywall compound) over the entire surface of the wall to cover damage and rough spots such as holes, cracks, or uneven textures.

2. Sand Down the Texture - For light textures, lightly sand down the texture and it might be enough to achieve a smooth finish.

3. Apply a New Layer of Drywall - For heavily textured walls, it might be easier to cover the existing walls completely with a new layer of drywall rather than trying to get rid of the existing texture.

4. Chemical Stripping - Chemical stripping involves using a solution to dissolve the texture material (often plaster or paint).

5. Using a Texture Sponge - For very light textures or small areas, you can use a texture sponge to soften the texture.

6. Using a Wallpaper or Plaster Alternative - Some people opt to cover their walls with wallpaper or a plaster alternative like Venetian plaster, which can give a smooth finish.

Each method varies in terms of time, labor, and the type of texture problems you're dealing with, so choosing the right one depends on your specific situation and desired outcome.

Our Choice - Wet Sanding Method

Step 1: Soak The Wall With Water

Using a spray bottle, soak the wall with water in even small sections, so prepare yourself in patience, as it will take a while. Depending on the thickness and how bumpy the wall is, it may take a few more sprays before it is fully soft.  We recommend to wait around 15 minutes to let the water soak through. You will know when it is ready to move onto the next step because once you put your hands on the whole process, you should be able to take away the texture. If it isn’t doing things, spray some more. If it is ready, then move on to step 2.

Step 2: Scrape Away

To begin scraping the wall, start at the top. It is best to use a ladder to reach this area, but make sure you are stable if you are quite high - you’re going to be up there for a while! Use a drywall knife to get rid of any soft bits, but do it gently. You can do this by holding it at an angle whilst scratching along the wall to remove the uneven bits. The trick is to use quite long strokes, but just make sure that they are gentle too. If you find that a part of the textured wall won’t budget, spray it with water again and wait for it to soften. Start the process again and make sure it is completely even before you attempt to scrape it away.

Step 3: Scrape In Smaller Sections

It might be tempting to try and scrape a huge bit off, but you will have more success if you work in small sections. You will find that you need to keep moving and that the hours will pass. Even so, it is worth it and you will get to the end, no matter how much it probably doesn’t feel like it right now. When you think you have done all the areas, go back and check every single detail, likes holes and bumps of that wall. Any areas you have missed will create an uneven and bumpy finish. This is another reason why it is helpful and important to work in sections. Therefore, you have a better idea of what bit of the wall(s) you have done, and you will have far more great success to complete sections properly without accidentally missing areas.

Step 4: Time To Sand

Now that you have scraped off the texture of the wall, it is time to sand the rest. Whilst another time-consuming job, it will all be worth it to create a smooth wall completely - or at least as even as it can be. When doing this job, you need to be prepared and you need to protect yourself. That means wearing gloves, goggles and a respirator or a mask. Lots of particles of drywall dust will be flying into the air, so it is better to be protected. Just like before, it is important that you work in sections to ensure to get the best result possible. You can even use a flashlight to check to see if you have missed any areas. Once this step is done, you are finished!

Wet sanding is a gentler, less dusty alternative to traditional dry sanding and can be especially great and we highly recommend in occupied homes where dust control is a priority.

What About The Skim And Paint Method?

The Wet Sanding method might take a while to do, but the skim coat and paint method will not only take longer, but needs a lot more skill to do it. Also, the difference is very significant. To put it simply, here is what it entails (without going into full detail) and how you can DIY skim coating technique:

• Add a drywall specific primer to the wall. Once done, skim coat the topcoat.

• Use a premixed drywall mud 'paste' or in other words joint compound. It should be thick like peanut butter. Put it into a mud pan and using slow movements, apply it as a first coat onto the wall.

• If you find that the primer is a little glossy, sand it first to help the paste stick better.

• Let the joint compound dry overnight, and if necessary, apply a second coat the next day. You may need to do this a few times to get the walls perfectly smooth.

• Once you are done with the final coat and it is dry completely, sand the skim coated wall.

• Lastly, coat it with a primer.

Can I smooth textured walls without removing the texture?

Yes, you can smooth the walls without taking away the texture by using various techniques that effectively cover or reduce the appearance of the texture. Here are some ways and options you can choose to solve this problem:

1. Skim Coating - this is the most common method to smooth out walls without removing the texture. Skim coating involves applying a thin layer of joint compound over the existing texture to create smooth walls.

2. Heavy Primer or Texture Coat - another method is to use a heavy primer or a texture coat, which is a designed thing to fill in holes and smooth out light textures.

3. Adding a Thick Wallpaper or Wall Liner - wall liners or thick wallpapers can cover uneven surfaces, providing a smooth base for paint or decorative wallpaper.

4. Installing Paneling or Wainscoting - if you want to cover the texture without addressing it directly, you can install paneling, wainscoting, or beadboard over the uneven walls and protect your home from unwanted dust.

These techniques allow you to smooth or reduce the appearance of heavily textured walls without the need for full texture removal, making them practical for many situations where you want a smoother finish.

How long does it take to smooth walls?

The time it takes to smooth our wall texture depends on several factors, including the method used, the size of the area, the type of texture, and the desired level of smoothness. Factors that influence time:

• Size of the Area: Larger rooms or multiple rooms will naturally take longer.

• Experience Level: A professional may work faster and with more precision than a DIYer.

• Type of Texture: Heavy textures (like popcorn) may require more work and time to smooth.

• Drying Conditions: Humidity and temperature can affect how quickly materials like joint compound or paint dry.

Smoothing an entire wall can take anywhere from 1 to 3 days, depending on the method used and the scope of the project.

How do I clean up after smoothing textured walls?

Here are some tips to help you efficiently and effectively clean up after smoothing out wall texture:

1. Dust Control During the Process - before you start the smoothing process, seal off the area with plastic sheeting or drop cloths to prevent dust from spreading to other parts of your home. If you have one, use a wet/dry vacuum while smoothing to capture dust as you go. This can greatly reduce the amount of dust you have to clean up later.

2. Work from Top to Bottom - start by cleaning higher surfaces (walls, window sills, countertops) and work your way down to the floor, as any dust that falls during cleaning will be captured when you clean the lower surfaces.

3. Use Multiple Cloths and Change Water Frequently - use multiple damp cloths, rotating them frequently as they get dirty. This prevents spreading dust around rather than getting rid of it. Change your bucket of water frequently to ensure you’re not reapplying dust to the surfaces.

4. Ventilate the Area - if possible, open windows and use fans to help ventilate the area. This will help disperse any airborne dust and speed up drying time after cleaning.

5. Damp Mopping for Thorough Floor Cleaning - after an initial dry sweep or vacuum, mop the floor with a damp mop or a damp rag. For best results, do this in two stages: one with a cleaning solution, and a final pass with just water to get rid of any soap residue.

Following these tips will help ensure that your space is clean and ready for the next steps in your project, such as priming and painting. A thorough cleanup will also help you avoid any dust-related issues with your finish or paint adhesion. We highly recommend taking in all of these steps for the perfect new smooth surface on your walls!

Final Thoughts

Not everyone likes a textured wall, despite it being used as a way to hide imperfections, or to create a unique wall effect (think of 1990s). So luckily, there is a way to remove it easily and simply with just a few tools. Whilst you could call a professional, you can also save some money by doing it yourself. So, if you find that you want to remove textured walls, then follow our simple advice above.