All Trucks, Campers, Trailers, RV's and Motor Homes - need help with getting rid of old wallpaper stuck to concrete!
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pushkina
05-28-08, 05:14 PM
We live in a 3 story townhouse from the 1970s which has concrete walls, every single one of which was covered with wallpaper stuck directly to the concrete.
As the entire area is very damp, could there be mold under such paper, stuck on concrete? If there is, will scrubbing with bleach be enough?
I wanted to begin to remove the wallpaper from the concrete walls but when I lifted some of it away, I saw that the concrete is very rough. Is there anyway that I can address is problem myself? Contractors have told me that it will take us moving everything out of the house and living elsewhere for 3-5 months and between $10-15,000 for the job.
Any ideas? Thanks.
BTW, we live in Australia which has very different construction ways, ideas about mold (it won't hurt you and is probably good for you!) and work ethics compared to the US.
As the entire area is very damp, could there be mold under such paper, stuck on concrete? If there is, will scrubbing with bleach be enough?
I wanted to begin to remove the wallpaper from the concrete walls but when I lifted some of it away, I saw that the concrete is very rough. Is there anyway that I can address is problem myself? Contractors have told me that it will take us moving everything out of the house and living elsewhere for 3-5 months and between $10-15,000 for the job.
Any ideas? Thanks.
BTW, we live in Australia which has very different construction ways, ideas about mold (it won't hurt you and is probably good for you!) and work ethics compared to the US.
twelvepole
05-28-08, 08:03 PM
The first step is to get the paper off before you can inspect the walls for mold and make a decision as to what you want to do about the walls.
The paper will need to be scored. Here in the states at wall paper stores, you can purchase a paper tiger. It's a little gizzo with a wheel that pokes holes in the paper. The more holes the better. Then, you can start saturateing the paper to soak off the paper which has to be scraped off with a putty knife. Sometimes once you get a strip started, you might be lucky to pull off a whole strip. Wallpaper is easier to remove if walls were properly sized (sealed) to receive wallpaper. Renting a wallpaper steamer after scoring the paper will make paper removal easier and faster.
If there is mold/mildew on walls under paper, then it can be disinfected with bleach/water solution. Then, you need to address why you have the mold/mildew. Moisture issues, high humidity, or other?
Then, you can decide what you want to do with the walls. Frame, insulate, drywall or other option. Post in the different forums as you progress through the project. Framing, insulation, plaster, paint, or other.
The paper will need to be scored. Here in the states at wall paper stores, you can purchase a paper tiger. It's a little gizzo with a wheel that pokes holes in the paper. The more holes the better. Then, you can start saturateing the paper to soak off the paper which has to be scraped off with a putty knife. Sometimes once you get a strip started, you might be lucky to pull off a whole strip. Wallpaper is easier to remove if walls were properly sized (sealed) to receive wallpaper. Renting a wallpaper steamer after scoring the paper will make paper removal easier and faster.
If there is mold/mildew on walls under paper, then it can be disinfected with bleach/water solution. Then, you need to address why you have the mold/mildew. Moisture issues, high humidity, or other?
Then, you can decide what you want to do with the walls. Frame, insulate, drywall or other option. Post in the different forums as you progress through the project. Framing, insulation, plaster, paint, or other.