Wallpaper and Wallcoverings - Nightmare wallpaper removal
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Nightmare wallpaper removal
Rin
01-12-04, 04:17 AM
I am trying to remove very old wallpaper. I have scored the wall, used the removal spray AND used a steamer. The wall paper continues to come off in tiny pieces. I have an entire living room to do and six hours later I don't even have one wall done! Any suggestions out there?
prowallguy
01-12-04, 08:05 AM
I would get rid of the steamer. Use a garden type pump sprayer with warm water and a removal solution.
The best removal solution I have used (http://safeandsimple.com/)
Tape a sheet of plastic to the baseboard and soak the wall repeatedly. Take the time and let the removal solution work. This can take a while. On stubborn removals we sometimes spray a wall 3 or 4 times, then tape a large piece of plastic over the wall to extend the soaking time.
If you try this, and are just tearing up the walls, or the drywall is wetting out and falling apart, it might be time to cut your losses and seal over it and create a 'new' wall.
Also be VERY CAREFUL when spraying anywhere near an outlet or light switch. Water and electricity don't play well together.:eek:
The best removal solution I have used (http://safeandsimple.com/)
Tape a sheet of plastic to the baseboard and soak the wall repeatedly. Take the time and let the removal solution work. This can take a while. On stubborn removals we sometimes spray a wall 3 or 4 times, then tape a large piece of plastic over the wall to extend the soaking time.
If you try this, and are just tearing up the walls, or the drywall is wetting out and falling apart, it might be time to cut your losses and seal over it and create a 'new' wall.
Also be VERY CAREFUL when spraying anywhere near an outlet or light switch. Water and electricity don't play well together.:eek:
BobF
01-12-04, 12:35 PM
Are you sure this is wallpaper over sheetrock (drywall)?
I tackled a similar project in my first house. After three of us worked for over an hour with little progress, I took a closer look at the "wallpaper". Turns out it was not drywall, but rather printed masonite. Masonite printed with "wallpaper" patterns was somewhat popular in the 70's (and 60's?). I ended up covering with an oil-based primer and painting.
If it is wallpaper over sheetrock, you have my sympathies. If you've ever hung paper, yourself, without the proper prep I take my sympathies back. Or for anyone that has hired a hangar that didn't do proper wall prep, I have no sympathy.
I live on street where all the houses are 11-12 years old. Many have hung paper. Very few bothered with proper wall prep - the paper was hung over the builders paint. That paper will be next to impossible to strip without tearing up the walls.
I tackled a similar project in my first house. After three of us worked for over an hour with little progress, I took a closer look at the "wallpaper". Turns out it was not drywall, but rather printed masonite. Masonite printed with "wallpaper" patterns was somewhat popular in the 70's (and 60's?). I ended up covering with an oil-based primer and painting.
If it is wallpaper over sheetrock, you have my sympathies. If you've ever hung paper, yourself, without the proper prep I take my sympathies back. Or for anyone that has hired a hangar that didn't do proper wall prep, I have no sympathy.
I live on street where all the houses are 11-12 years old. Many have hung paper. Very few bothered with proper wall prep - the paper was hung over the builders paint. That paper will be next to impossible to strip without tearing up the walls.
prowallguy
01-12-04, 01:59 PM
Turns out it was not drywall, but rather printed masonite
:eek: :(
If it is wallpaper over sheetrock, you have my sympathies. If you've ever hung paper, yourself, without the proper prep I take my sympathies back. Or for anyone that has hired a hangar that didn't do proper wall prep, I have no sympathy.
Right on.
I live on street where all the houses are 11-12 years old. Many have hung paper. Very few bothered with proper wall prep - the paper was hung over the builders paint. That paper will be next to impossible to strip without tearing up the walls.
You have just walked a mile in my shoes.
:eek: :(
If it is wallpaper over sheetrock, you have my sympathies. If you've ever hung paper, yourself, without the proper prep I take my sympathies back. Or for anyone that has hired a hangar that didn't do proper wall prep, I have no sympathy.
Right on.
I live on street where all the houses are 11-12 years old. Many have hung paper. Very few bothered with proper wall prep - the paper was hung over the builders paint. That paper will be next to impossible to strip without tearing up the walls.
You have just walked a mile in my shoes.