Ceiling textured with plaster...

[seamlyne]

The ceiling in my kitchen is textured with drywall compound, primed and painted over. It was done twenty-six years ago, so the stuff is pretty solid. I'd like to have a smooth ceiling, but just scraping the stuff off hasn't worked so far. Our ceilings are already low - 7'-3" throughout the house - and the cabinets are flush to the ceiling, so I don't want to lose 1/2" by just covering it over with more drywall.

As I see it, I have two options: find some way to scrape the stuff off, or remove the ceiling and replace it. Is there a tool beyond a putty knife, some power tool maybe? Working with drywall generally doesn't bother me, but replacing the ceiling would bring down insulation, dust, mouse droppings, and god knows what else.

Any advice?

[handyandy]

It sounds to me like it would be easier and less messy to just remove the drywall and replace than try to scrape, especially if you've already tried. I don't know if you would ever get it smooth. Is there access from above to see what would fall if you did?

[seamlyne]

Access from above: thankfully, yes. It occurs to me I could just remove the insulation and give it a good vacuuming between the joists. Thanks for the direction!