Wallpaper removal secrets ???

[Shewie]

As above, I`m having a total nightmare trying to remove some wallpaper which must be knocking on for 30 years old. Couldn`t tell you what sort it is other than it`s very shiney, very stubborn and very flowery.
Usually I peel off the top layer then score and soak the underneath with loads of hot soapy water and then it should come off easily, this stuff however won`t seperate and a scraper only takes off little tiny pieces. I took me nearly four hours yesterday to do one 8ft wall on the staircase and I`ve still got about 80sq ft to do.

Any sneaky tips I could try ???

I refuse to hire a wallpaper stripper just yet.


Rich

 

[steve a]

Score it a lot, then hire that wallpaper stripper, it's worth it in the end.

 

[gregorach]

Plaster over the top of it.

 

[Shewie]

Plaster over the top of it.

Seriously, I`m completely gullible when it comes to DIY and you could tell me anything and I would believe you.

My heart says yes but my mind says no on this one Greg

Should have mentioned my walls are made of paper mache (lathe and plaster actually) so it`s steady as you go if you know what I mean. Not to much elbow grease or the walls start to disintegrate.



Rich

 

[Tadpole]

Seriously, I`m completely gullible when it comes to DIY and you could tell me anything and I would believe you.

My heart says yes but my mind says no on this one Greg

Should have mentioned my walls are made of paper mache (lathe and plaster actually) so it`s steady as you go if you know what I mean. Not to much elbow grease or the walls start to disintegrate.



Rich

I agree with Greg, skim coat over the lot.

 

[mace242]

I had some really nasty stuff and somebody suggested that like you I score it and soak with soapy water. It worked brilliantly. One slight difference though - a good glug of vinegar in the soapy water.

 

[JonnyP]

Plaster over the top of it.

Lol....
Shewie... As mentioned you need to score it as much as poss. Use a knife or a wire brush or make yourself a scorer using a load of nails punched through a piece of wood. Then slap loads of soapy water over the wall, leave it to soak in and go at it with your scraper. You may need to soak the wall a few times...

 

[Tadpole]

:

Should have mentioned my walls are made of paper mache (lathe and plaster actually) so it`s steady as you go if you know what I mean. Not to much elbow grease or the walls start to disintegrate.
Rich

Lol....
Shewie... As mentioned you need to score it as much as poss. Use a knife or a wire brush or make yourself a scorer using a load of nails punched through a piece of wood. Then slap loads of soapy water over the wall, leave it to soak in and go at it with your scraper. You may need to soak the wall a few times...

Soak it too much and it will pull off the lathe, and you'll end up having to wallboard the whole lot. Seal the wallpaper, tape the seams, skim coat, it let it dry, skim it again, sand it and then if it needs it, skim and sand, then paint.

 

[gregorach]

Should have mentioned my walls are made of paper mache (lathe and plaster actually) so it`s steady as you go if you know what I mean.

Ah, well that really doesn't help any I'm afraid... Even if you do get it off, you're almost certainly looking at a plastering job to get the wall surface smooth again.

My last suggestion wasn't entirely serious, I admit.

 

[gregorach]

Soak it too much and it will pull off the lathe, and you'll end up having to wallboard the whole lot. Seal the wallpaper, tape the seams, skim coat, it let it dry, skim it again, sand it and then if it needs it, skim and sand, then paint.

Sounds like you know what you're talking about. I take it back - it was a serious suggestion after all!

 

[Tadpole]

Sounds like you know what you're talking about. I take it back - it was a serious suggestion after all!

my house is 104 years old, look too hard at the wall and the black plaster dust rains down.
I swear my hall and staircase has 7 layers of flock and woodchip paper. I tried to pull off a corner just to check, and a bit of 'wall' the size of a dinner plate came with it.

 

[sapper1]

why do you want o remove the paper?
If you put up lining paper horizontally and then put up the wallpaper it should give you a good finish.

 

[Shewie]

The grand plan is to get the whole lot skimmed but I always thought you had to get all the paper off first otherwise the plaster wouldn`t key as well, then giving more problems later on. No ??

Our house is knocking on for 150 years old so it`s always a bit scary when we decide to attack a room. I now understand why so much of it was covered in tongue and groove because you just never know what you`re gonna find behind it. The bathroom was like a Swedish sauna when we moved in, walls and ceiling being pine t&g. It was like taking a shower inside your garden shed.

If skimming is the answer I might just down tools now and get the pros in to cover it all up.


Rich

 

[rat pac]

Mate find out where your wall studs are
and screw plaster board over the whole lot , tape and joint it your self
save yourself loads of cash......... As long as you have a long level its not hard
if it's not too bad you can use lining paper horizontally you will end up with a nice wall again
kind regards
Rat pac

 

[crazydave]

sounds like its been painted - the joys of woodchip springs to mind. it may be a lot easier to go out and buy a simple stripper. the earlex ones are more than adequate and cheap.

the steam will soften the paper and glue but also the heat will soften the plasticiser in the paint - it will still probably take ages but its easy work instead of hard.

you can allways sell the stripper afterwards

 

[joejoe]

dont hire a steamer. buy one about 30 quid .best thing i ever bought for house diy

 

[Eric_Methven]

Have a bushcraft weekend in your garden. Supply a few crates of beer and get everyone who turns up to give you a hand.

Eric

 

[ganstey]

In one of my bedrooms I had some sort of plastic-coated wallpaper Mind you, that room also had a hasp&staple on the outside After several hours with the wallpaper stripper I decided to attack it with a wire brush. Once I'd got through the plastic, the stripper worked a treat.

Doesn't help you mind, as mine was a plastered cinder block wall. But my therapist says its good to talk

G

 

[Shewie]

Thanks for all the advice guys

I`ve mangaged to get about 90% of it done now so should have it completed by Sunday night.

Plenty of scoring, hot soapy water with vinegar and leaving it soak for about 20 mins did the trick. Found an old doorway underneath one section which is quite interesting.

The wife`s well chuffed and I`ve even earned enough brownie points to merit a night out in the Lakes with the bivvy and tarp this Saturday.


Rich