Textured walls are a favorite for contractors and investors as it’s a cheap way to install drywall throughout a home.  However, if you’ve ever scraped up against one in your home, you’re probably ready for smooth walls.

So you have three ways you can go…

For Joint Compound: (not sure if this is you? Try method, if it doesn’t work—you likely have plaster)

Get a decent spray bottle and fill with warm water.  Spray an area of the wall and let it soak for a few minutes. Then using a drywall knife, scrape.  The goal is to use as little water as possible.  You don’t want to soak the drywall.

For Plaster:

Sand. Sand. Sand. This is the painful method 🙂  You can use a hand sander, but be prepared for a lot of dust.  Make sure you wear a mask that filters! Many shop-vacs have sander attachments you can buy that will actually cut the mess. This method will not guarantee a smooth finish, and you will probably end up mudding areas.

For Plaster: Popular Method

Skim.  No I’m not talking about milk. I’m talking about a thin coat of drywall mud over the surface of the walls.  Roll the thinned all-purpose joint compound on the walls with a heavy paint roller. Do it in small sections. Then smooth the mud with a squeegee knife starting in the top corner and pull down. Allow the first coat to dry.  Apply one or two more layers.  IMPORTANT: change the direction of the trowel on the second coat.  Go horizontal. It will hide any imperfections. When all layers have dried, lightly sand with a 120-grit paper.