Removing Crayon, Mold, Popcorn Ceilings, and Wall Anchors

Eddie Shekari
May 15, 2015

Getting things off your wall can be a problem. Removing crayon, mold, popcorn ceiling, wall anchors or more – Pro Painters can help.

Crayon

Removing Crayon? Crayon is the simplest to remove. If your wall has been drawn on then the easiest way to remove it is to use a baby wipe or other mild cleaner. Test it on a small section of the wall that is well hidden so that you’ll know it won’t affect the color or texture. Once sure, gently wipe the markings off.

Mold

Mold spores ride around on drafts of air and only need a tiny amount of moisture to settle and grow. This is one of the reasons that mold can often seem to be an ever-present visitor in your home. Tiny spots of mold can be removed with small applications of bleach or other household cleaner, but mold that has grown into a porous surface such as drywall will have to be removed completely along with the surface it occupies. When cutting drywall or stripping walls, remember to wear a respirator to prevent inhalation of spores. Afterward, paint a fresh top coat to prevent the mold’s return and vacuum the area thoroughly.

Popcorn Ceilings

Since most popcorn ceilings in the past were made with now-banned asbestos fiber, ceiling coatings should be lab tested before any work is done. For that reason, popcorn ceiling removal is not recommended as a DIY project. Pro Painters will cut off a small sample, bag it, and send it to a certified lab for testing. We have trained staff able to properly handle asbestos disposal and removal if it is present in your ceiling.

The most important part of dealing with popcorn ceilings is management and preparation for the inevitable mess. Pro Painters will move furniture out of the way, lay down a tarp, and turn the electricity off before beginning any removal processes.

After the removal of the popcorn coating, putty will be applied to any loose paper joints in your exposed ceiling, then sanded, primed, and repainted.

Wall Anchors

Before removing any wall anchors, you should determine whether the anchors are plastic or metal. Plastic anchors can be removed by inserting a thin blade, such as a razor blade, between the lip of the anchor and the sheetrock and moving the razor blade back and forth until it cuts through, and the lip comes off. The anchor can then be poked through the wall with a screwdriver and forgotten.

The process is much the same with a metal wall anchor, with the exception that you’ll need heavier duty tools. Find a pair of needle-nose pliers and insert it between the lip of the anchor and the wall; then, pry and bend the metal up towards the center of the hole. Once the edge is pried up enough, grab a wrench and pull at a side until the lip pops off and the rest of the assembly on the other side of the wall can be pushed through with the help of a screwdriver.

For professional, Houston-based work on your home, Pro Painters offers complete interior, exterior, and roof services with a Five-Year Warranty on materials and labor on all residential projects. Call 281.990.0717 for a free quote.

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Eddie Shekari

Eddie founded Pro Painters in 1995 to meet the growing need for high-quality residential and commercial painting needs in Houston. In nearly 20 years, Pro Painters has exponentially grown our client base, serving residents across the greater Houston area. Our core principles have helped us achieve the highest standard of workmanship and customer satisfaction. Our years of experience have allowed us to become an extension to our customers as the all-in-one solution for home makeovers.