I bought a big foreclosure home with a little age (45 years). I have been here 3 1/2 months and the fun keeps coming. This one is too much fun for just me, so someone please join me.
I need some tips on removing wallpaper in my kitchen that has 2+ layers of paint and some Spackle on it. I tried to take the easy way out and just paint over it, but every spot I spackled just bubbled up. Bring your guns, I'm not afraid to work.
By Bruce Reagan from SC
(NAPS) Redecorating a home can be an exciting process for many homeowners. However, many dread the process of getting started when they first have to remove old wallpaper. Fortunately there is a simple solution: a wallpaper steamer.
Wallpaper steamers can be as easy to use as an iron or garment steamer, and they allow do-it-yourselfers to quickly remove old wallpaper and begin decorating the room of their dreams. Simply fill the wallpaper steamer with tap water, plug in and steam away. No buckets, brushes, rollers or mixing needed.
Compared to chemical wallpaper removal products, wallpaper steamers are faster, safer and are effective on all types of wallpaper, including vinyl, painted wallpaper, and multiple layers.
Wallpaper steamers require about 20 minutes to warm up each time the tank is refilled (generally, two tankfuls will do a 10 foot x 12 foot room). During warm-up time, the user can prepare the walls by using the edge of a scraper or running a special wallpaper "scoring tool" over the wall to create perforations in the paper. This will allow the steam to penetrate the vinyl or multiple layer wallpaper. Scoring tools and scrapers are sold at home improvement, hardware, and paint stores.
Once the steamer is warmed up, the steam plate is held over a section of wallpaper for about 15 seconds. When the wallpaper is damp, the user scrapes off the paper with one hand, while the other hand works ahead with the lightweight steam plate to soak the next section of paper. It is a continual process. Since there is no need to coat the wall with chemical solutions, which can be runny, the workspace is left clean.
Wagner Spray Tech offers its Model 705 Power Steamer for around $49. It comes with an 8 inch x 11 inch steam plate and 11 feet of hose. When compared to other wallpaper stripping alternatives, the Power Steamer is very economical. If the leading chemical stripper is used to remove wallpaper from a 10 foot x12 foot room, the gel and required equipment will retail for $28 to $32. If a power steamer is rented, the daily rental rate will be $20 to $25 and the unit will, most likely, be heavy and difficult to maneuver.
The Wagner Power Steamer provides fast, chemical-free wallpaper removal in a lightweight, portable unit that can be used over and over again. Good luck. (01/26/2010)
If you've already tried DIF, you may have to use a flat tool to pry some of it off. Hard work, I know, but it will be worth it in the end. Take pictures, as you'll quickly forget what it looks like. (01/27/2010)
By Allison
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