removing wallpaper?

[Megan's Mom]

I have this project that I want to start on this weekend mainly because DH doesn't think I will do it and that is motivation enought. I want to remove the wallpaper from Megan's bathroom and paint the walls. I have never removed wallpaper before so I have some questions. Has anyone used one of the steamers and is it worth it to rent one? Are there other ways to remove the paper that work just as well.

As always thanks in advance for the help. What better place to come but to the Dis to answer all those questions.

 

[stinkerbelle]

My parents have re-wallpapered their house at least 852 times since I was born...older house (built in the 60's), horrible walls (so they could never paint), and I can honestly say they never rented a steamer.

Most recently (I want to say the paper they removed was maybe 5 years old?) they just scored the paper (this little thingie you can buy at any home improvement store - you run it over the wallpaper and it makes little holes in it) and then applied some sort of solution that 'ate away' the glue...making the wallpaper just peel off. (not sure of the name, but I'm sure if you talk to someone at the store they'll be able to help you out).

Now - this is off course the cheap way to do it...I would say start this way...then, if it doesn't work...try the steamer.

happy peeling!

 

[believe]

There is a solution called DIF that is great for removing wallpaper. My dad uses a mixer of vinegar and hot water.

 

[Pop Daddy]

no matter what you do its gonna be a long, hard job

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I removed it, not fun...

If the wallpaper is old then it will be harder. Especially if it isn't put up properly.

Took alot of remover and a few weeks.

 

[baby1038]

I recently just bought a new house and had the job of removing the wallpaper. I used hot water and liquid fabric softener It was unbelievable how easy the wallpaper came off. It just peeled right off.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Check the wallpaper first. We had one kind that just peeled right off with no outside help at all. Generally, the newer wallpapers that are heavier and the vinyl ones will peel off easily. If you do a little test, and it looks like it is going to pull off the paper on your dry wall, then go ahead and rent the steamer.

 

[Doug123]

Without a doubt: RENT THE STEAMER. I took wallpaper off our kitchen and half-bath walls without one, and it took forever (using DIF and all the techniques discussed above). I rented a steamer for the dining room, and it was finished in about 5 hours (a lot quicker).

Renting a steamer isn't that much money at all when you consider the time saved. Also by using a steamer, the wallpaper comes off "cleaner," which keeps the wall itself flater.

As far as technique, I first scored the area. I then used the steamer to take off the outside of the wallpaper. I then used the steamer again to take off the inside layer of the wallpaper still stuck to the wall.

Believe me, rent the steamer. You'll thank me.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would still check a corner of it first, because I took the wallpaper off our hall, stairway and bedroom in about 15 minutes because it pulled right off! Know you don't have that kind of paper before you go to the expense of the steamer.

 

[clueless adventurer]

I think if you right-click on your desktop and select properties, there's a thingie in there that will let you change it.

I really think the steamer will not work very well and might even cause some harm!

 

[meuseman]

I just removed an older wallpaper border. i figured just hot water & vinegar or the DIF gel would work.

It still took a solid 6-7 hours of spray/scrape/spray/scrape/swear/scrape some more

i would rent the steamer

 

[snoopy]

There is a solution called DIF that is great for removing wallpaper. My dad uses a mixer of vinegar and hot water.

This is me, too. I use DIF if the wallpaper is really stubborn or there are layers of wallpaper, but for the most part vinegar and hot water has always worked. If the wall is huge you might consider renting the steamer, but I have never seen the need to invest in one.

 

[Broken8ball]

I always try to peel the colored surface off as much as I can. That tends to leave the paper side still on the wall.

Use the scorer. It has 3 "wheel" thingies with teeth. Just don't press too hard or else the wall underneath it will have marks.

Once scored, I use just hot water and a sponge. Wet the paper really well, give it a minute or two to soak into the glue, then use a wall paper scraper to take it off.

The trick is to get to the glue and to loosen it with some liquid. Using the steamer is about the same as warm water (with or without additives) - the objective is to get the old glue wet so it comes off. Thats why pulling off the facing and using a scoring tool is important.

I do find that after the paper is gone I need to wet the wall down and scrape it once more to remove any extra paste that remains.

 

[clueless adventurer]

I understand DH is Dear Husband and DBIL is Dear Brother-in-Law, but what the heck is a DIF???