The bad news:

• Popcorn ceiling material may contain asbestos. When disturbed (sanding, scraping), asbestos fibers release into the air. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, or asbestosis. According the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the risks increase with greater exposure.

• Damaged ceilings may release these fibers, posing danger to those who live in the home. Otherwise, if it is in good condition, the EPA recommends it is safest to leave it alone.

• In some areas it is against the law to remove and dispose of asbestos-laden materials yourself.

Pros of removing popcorn ceilings:

• Increases your home's value, or removes a negative aspect about your home that could slow its resale.

• Asbestos is only present in some popcorn ceilings—if testing rules out asbestos, this job is possible, albeit messy, to do yourself.

• It looks so much better.

Still want to pop that ceiling texture off? Start by testing for asbestos. The EPA recommends that any testing, removal, or repair should be done by a qualified asbestos professional. (Consult their website for hiring tips.)

No asbestos? Follow these steps to DIY:

1. Remove all furniture from the room.

2. Remove light fixtures and turn off the power.

3. Affix plastic sheeting to floor and walls using wide painter's tape.

5. Line the floor with paper for a safer walking surface.

6. With a thick napped paint roller, apply water in 3 square-foot sections.

8. Wait a few minutes, then scrape the moistened section with a wide putty knife. If too dry, repeat the process, then scrape again.

Once you have removed all the material, spackle to repair gouged or rough areas.

Are there alternatives? If asbestos is not involved, you may:

Paint: Because it is water based, latex primer or paint will loosen the texture and make a huge mess. Instead, use a shellac-based primer for the first coat, and roll carefully (don't backtrack), or, rent a sprayer to apply. Remember that paint creates a seal that prevents the soaking method described above, greatly increasing the difficulty of removing the material later.

Cover: Install drywall over the existing popcorn ceiling. This job rates on the difficult side for DIY, and you will lose about 1" of height in the room.

Few old-house features are as universally disliked as popcorn ceilings. This is one home improvement task that doesn't go well if you wing it. Proceed with caution!