Drywall & Ceiling Work in Oildale, CA
Oildale is one of Bakersfield's oldest communities, with a large inventory of mid-century homes that are being renovated and updated by a new generation of owners. Bakersfield Elite Drywall specializes in exactly the kind of work these properties need — popcorn ceiling removal, lath-and-plaster conversion to modern drywall, and interior refreshes that bring these homes into the 21st century.
If you've purchased an older Oildale property or are finally getting around to updating one you've owned for years, we're the right crew to call.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal: The Most Transformative Upgrade in an Older Oildale Home
Walk into almost any Oildale home built between 1955 and 1985 and you'll find sprayed acoustic texture on every ceiling — the ubiquitous "popcorn" finish that was standard for decades. These ceilings have aged poorly: they yellow and crack, they collect dust and webs in their rough surface, and they make every room feel lower and darker than it actually is. Removing them is the single most transformative cosmetic upgrade most Oildale homeowners can make.
At Bakersfield Elite Drywall , we approach popcorn removal with proper technique, not just brute force. First, we test for asbestos — pre-1980 homes in particular have a meaningful chance of containing asbestos fibers in the texture material, and we will not proceed without clearance confirmation. Once cleared, we wet the texture lightly to control dust, scrape carefully, and skim the ceiling with joint compound to fill the small divots and irregularities left behind. After priming and a fresh texture coat — smooth, knockdown, or orange peel, your choice — the transformation is dramatic.
Homeowners who have been through the process consistently report that the rooms feel larger, brighter, and more modern after ceiling removal than they expected. The paint holds better on a smooth surface, the room looks cleaner, and the dated character that the popcorn texture imparted is simply gone. It's worth every penny, and we do it efficiently enough that most rooms in your home can be done within a few days.
Replacing Old Lath-and-Plaster Walls with Modern Drywall
Many Oildale homes still have their original lath-and-plaster wall system — thin wood strips nailed horizontally across the studs, then coated with multiple layers of plaster. This system was built well and has lasted decades, but it has a lifespan. Cracks develop as the wood backing shifts and the plaster loses its bond. When plaster sections begin to delaminate, bulge, or fall entirely, the repair options are limited: isolated plaster patching can extend the walls for a while, but eventually a section-by-section replacement with modern drywall becomes the better investment.
We handle lath-and-plaster demolition and drywall replacement regularly in Oildale properties. The process involves carefully removing the old plaster and lath without destabilizing adjacent sections, adding blocking where needed to provide adequate fastening for new panels, and then hanging, taping, and finishing new 1/2-inch drywall to match whatever level of surface smoothness the rest of the home's updated surfaces call for. We tie new work into existing door and window trim and leave you with a wall that looks and functions like new construction.
This work is dusty and disruptive — we won't pretend otherwise. But we take every possible step to contain the demolition debris, seal the work area from the rest of the home, and leave each day having cleaned up the work zone so that you can continue using the rest of your house during the project.
Serving Oildale and the North Bakersfield Area
Oildale sits on the north side of the Kern River, just across from central Bakersfield, and our service territory covers this entire corridor. We work across North Bakersfield, Oildale, and the surrounding communities for both residential and light commercial projects.
We also serve the community of Wasco, CA. If you have friends or family in Wasco who are dealing with drywall damage or planning an interior renovation, send them our way — we cover that area regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Oildale home's popcorn ceiling contains asbestos?
The only definitive way to know is through professional testing. We can refer you to a certified asbestos testing lab in the Bakersfield area. Homes built before 1980 are at highest risk. Testing typically involves taking a small chip sample and having it analyzed — the turnaround is usually 24 to 48 hours and the cost is modest compared to the risk of disturbing asbestos material without knowing.
Is it better to repair old plaster walls or replace them with drywall?
It depends on the extent of the damage. Isolated cracks and small impact holes can often be repaired with plaster compound and last another decade or more. But if more than 25 to 30 percent of the plaster in a room is cracked, soft, or delaminated, section-by-section replacement with modern drywall usually produces a better, longer-lasting result at a comparable total cost.
What texture options do I have after popcorn ceiling removal in Oildale?
The most popular options we install in the Bakersfield area are smooth (Level 4 or Level 5 finish), knockdown (a random low-relief pattern created by flattening splatter with a knife), and orange peel (a finely sprayed texture with a consistent, subtle surface). We can show you samples of each finish to help you decide before we start work.
Modernize Your Oildale Home Starting with the Ceilings
Removing outdated texture and replacing old plaster walls is one of the highest-impact upgrades you can make in an older home. Call us today for a free estimate — we'll walk through your home, assess everything that needs attention, and give you a clear plan and price.