Wallpaper and Wallcoverings - removing wallpaper from behind a toilet
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spiritdream
03-15-02, 03:29 PM
I am in the process of removing wallpaper in a bathroom. I have removed all of it except behind the toilet. It is a small space and no real way to get behind the toilet. What should I do? :(
the_tow_guy
03-15-02, 08:43 PM
I know it may sound daunting, but best thing to do is remove the toilet. Search the plumbing archives and you'll find a number of posts on toilet removal and installation. It's not that hard.
Basic procedure is drain tank, remove nuts from the hold-down bolts, lift out toilet. Installation is reversed except for first cleaning off all the old wax ring residue and installing new wax ring and hold-down bolts. When it's in place, sit down for a few minutes to seat the toilet down onto the wax ring beofre tightening nuts on hold-down bolts. Most importantly DO NO OVERTIGHTEN as you can crack the toilet.
Good luck.
Basic procedure is drain tank, remove nuts from the hold-down bolts, lift out toilet. Installation is reversed except for first cleaning off all the old wax ring residue and installing new wax ring and hold-down bolts. When it's in place, sit down for a few minutes to seat the toilet down onto the wax ring beofre tightening nuts on hold-down bolts. Most importantly DO NO OVERTIGHTEN as you can crack the toilet.
Good luck.
Wallpaper
03-16-02, 07:07 AM
The tow guy offers great advice. An alternate method is to use a wallpaper stripping blade tool. They sell these with wallpaper supplies or spackling tools at home improvement stores. It is a handle about a foot long with a 3-4 inch metal blade on the end designed for scraping. I use mine all the time. Once the paper/backing material is scraped away, I will throw a rag over the end of the tool and wash with the tool in spaces I can't reach. It is a blessing for scraping and in a pinch, give you the longer arms you sometimes wish for.
I would say buying the tool or removing the tank are the main two options and you should decide which is right for you. Either will require a trip to a hardware store. The new wax ring for your toilet is $1 and the scraping tool, if I remember correctly, is around $5.
I would say buying the tool or removing the tank are the main two options and you should decide which is right for you. Either will require a trip to a hardware store. The new wax ring for your toilet is $1 and the scraping tool, if I remember correctly, is around $5.
spiritdream
03-16-02, 07:52 AM
Thanks so much! I will probably try the scrapper first. And, lol, considering I've done the stripping so far with one arm broken, its at least something I can try by myself. I'm really glad to have found this site. What a Great place!:)
the_tow_guy
03-16-02, 12:32 PM
With a broken arm I would definitely try the scraper first! Also depending on what's going back ON the wall, you may end up wanting to remove the toilet anyway.