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1. Back yard currently has some wood retaining wall that is in very bad shape. I want to remove this all and build two rows with stone retaining wall blocks. The slope isn’t too sharp, so the first wall will be about 3ft tall and the 2nd about 2ft. It would be a smaller scale of the following:

It would be a gravity wall design, do you guys have recommendations on specific block manufacturers (versa-lok?) or have experience on items that I should be aware of?

2. Have any of you removed the popcorn crap from the ceiling? I think it’s very ugly and want to tackle this project. The house is empty so it should be pretty simple. Spray it down with water and scrape?

Thanks
2. Yes, get a garden sprayer and saturate the popcorn then get a wide bladed scraper and go to town. You will want to lay down plastic to cover the floor – just tape it to the top of the baseboards. You don’t want a flood in your house but keeping the texture wet makes it 100% easier to remove and it keeps the dust to an absolute minimum.

Before everybody gets their panties in a bunch about asbestos – What year was the house built? If after 1978 then there isn’t any asbestos there and you can procede with removal and disposal without fear. (Even if you knew that your ceiling texture was asbestos I wouild still recommend the same procedure for removal – disposal might merit some ehtical discuission though.)

House was build before 1978, I am pretty sure the procedure would be the same regardless of its got asbestos or not. I am going to be covered up and wearing a mask with filters.

How much work does it take to get all the popcorn off and then refinish it? Is it "worth" it?

It’s a pain in the ass and very messy, but it is definitely worth it. I went through my whole place and had it done. I did the removal in the master bedroom just as dumb_end_user described and then had a painting contractor come in and do the rest after I found out the whole ceiling would have to be floated to blend all the taped seams from the underlying drywall. I also went ahead and had the painters texture everything to match the existing wall. It’s amazing how much it opens up all the rooms. I’m sure you’ll love it.
Actually 1978 is theoretical. I am an Asbestos Inspector btw, and have found asbestos in popcorn ceilings in buildings constructed as recently as 1985 here in Hawaii. The photos in the DIY link make me cringe by the way.

If you you are going to do it yourself get a real respirator, tape plastic sheeting to your floors and walls, and under the windows. Get a light alluminum pole and attach the scraper to it so you dont literally eat the asbestos; and finally don’t do it yourself.
1. It would be easier to repair the retaining walls with deadmen and french drains than replace it.

2. I’d consider renting a drywall lift and rocking over the ceiling.

I have been encapsulating the room in plastic sheething, full suite and 2 filter respirator. When the stuff is wet it comes off pretty easily with no dusting. I am sure its not 100% safe but I wrap all the plastic up put in 2 trash bags and will take to the hazardous waste dump.
what about walls with the texture? Are walls constructed/created any differently than the ceilings? I hate the texture on the walls. sometimes i miss the light switch, and that shit cuts my hand.

walls are the same

textured walls

actually, I think venetian plaster looks very good and is a textured wall. But it is expensive to do

no it’s the sharp crap (it has edges and points) like on the ceiling. It’s not a "pretty" texture at all.

but I guess I meant to ask…did they use asbestos on the walls too? Or is that just something that would be on the ceiling? I want to say the house was built in the 70’s (judging by the old shag carpet and orange/green ceramics).

well yeah thats pretty good looking, but popcorn cieling type texture on walls…that shit is retarded

I considered this option. Ended up getting it professionally spray painted with a nice antique white paint. I set it off with light cream walls and a charcoal feature wall in the lounge room. Cherry oak floorboards throughout.

The place gets comments every time someone sees it for the first time.

Just some food for thought.
techo-bloc but dont try and fix it yourself, hire a pro to do the walls. It will come out much better.
My mom is in the process of removing the popcorn and hired a professional…very expensive.

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