MOving in to new house tomorow and need to tak off wallpaper.Will a steamer ruin the drywall???
2007-03-22 01:31:55 · 12 answers · asked by askalotofquestionsmom 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
I remove wallpaper all the time. The sprayer with DIF is the best way to do it just mix it a little stronger than it says. A scouring tool really helps. wait about 15 to 20 minutes before scraping it off and you might as well use a putty knife for this because you will need it for scraping the glue off of the walls (keepspraying the walls with the mix to loosen/soften the glue) After you get all of the glue off wash the walls with warm water with a little dawn dishsoap in it ( use a sturdy cleaning sponge). after the wall dries you will want to primer the walls with a latex primer allow this to dry then look over your walls to see if any glue is bleeding through. If it is you can get a spray can of oil based primer and spray those spots. let the oil base dry for 24 hrs before painting over it to allow the chemicals to completely dry so that it wont show through the finish coat. also you can get your latex primer tinted the same color as your finish coat so you only have to put one finish coat on it. dont forget to put drop cloths down to save your floors glue and paint are messy.good luck.
2007-03-22 07:19:58 · answer #1 · answered by gwen0674 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A steamer will work, and not ruin the drywall. I use a different method, which was used by a professional wall paperer. Buy a garden sprayer, at your hardware store. Also purchase a wallpaper removal solvent. I use one called "FAST". Put the solvent in the sprayer, and add very hot water. Soak your paper with the mixture, and wait about ten minutes. The paper will start to peel off from the top. Just assist it. You may need a putty knife for any tough spots. I'd suggest that you wash the walls afterward, and then you are ready to put up your new paper, or paint. If you don't need the garden sprayer afterward, you can save your receipt and return it.
2007-03-22 08:45:30 · answer #2 · answered by Beau R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tried using a steamer. It was heavy, drippy and horrible.
So I filled a spray bottle with hot water and vinegar. It worked better!
Just score the wallpaper (make a lot of cuts with a carpet knife or razor tool so the hot water can penetrate to the glue), spray the hot water/vinegar on it, let it soak in. Then, using a wide putty knife as a scraper, pull and scrape the paper off.
This was quicker, cheaper, and less messy than renting the horrible heavy steamer.
Use cheap white vinegar. About a cup of it to a quart of water. Don't have to measure accurately.
Good luck! It's a messy job no matter what method you use.
2007-03-22 10:02:02 · answer #3 · answered by deablanca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is the best way, but a cheaper way is to buy a tool that "scores" the wallpaper (puts little holes in it and doesn't hurt the drywall underneath) and then spray it with a spray bottle filled with hot water (or the wallpaper remover liquid you can buy in stores--I use water) and leave it sit a while. When you go back to it, the paper peels right off.
2007-03-22 09:27:50 · answer #4 · answered by Helen L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! It's the only thing that really works. Score it really good, steam it off (If you're lucky, it'll be easy to come off), and then use a water and fabric softener mix to get the rest of the glue off, then prime it really good, then paint. I did this recently to my hideous (now beautiful) bathroom. Finally got paint on last night after a week. Good luck!
One more thing--DON'T waste your money on that spray chemical that takes the wallpaper off. It doesn't work. I've taken wallpaper off several times, and the steam is the only thing that works. Don't waste your money on that DIF stuff.
2007-03-22 09:28:11 · answer #5 · answered by GLSigma3 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sure a steamer will work, but i watch a lot of home repair shows and they say that you can use liquid fabric softner to soften the glue and it should make it easier to remove but it might take a little longer
2007-03-22 11:48:03 · answer #6 · answered by selma l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can. In fact, it is the best method of removing wallpaper. And no, it will not harm the drywall.
2007-03-22 08:38:03 · answer #7 · answered by Ted 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes..Just be careful not to scrap too hard when taking off the paper.
2007-03-22 10:06:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, if you don't over saturate the walls, let it stand for a few minutes them scrape off the old wall paper.
2007-03-22 08:39:08 · answer #9 · answered by Denise U 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yup....and no it will not hurt the drywall...unless you keep it pointed in one spot
2007-03-22 08:39:51 · answer #10 · answered by wolfwagon2002 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋