DIY Network

Removing Wallpaper Learn the proper way to strip wallpaper from your walls. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-116

Guest Allegra Bennett, editor of Renovating Woman magazine, explains how to strip wallpaper from your walls.

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	Allegra shares invaluable tips that make removing wallpaper an easier job.
	Figure A
	Figure B

Materials:

plastic sheeting to tape to the shoe molding to cover the floor
spray bottle
putty knife or thin scraper
good sponge
small bucket
trash can

Removing Wallpaper

• Removing wallpaper is one of those home improvement jobs that can get a little messy, but it is not as difficult as it appears. The first thing you want to do is lay plastic on the floor.

• Your local home improvement store will have a device called a wall paper scorer. It has little teeth (figure A) that dig into the paper and allow the water to seep behind the paper and help dissolve the glue. Depending on the texture of the paper, sometimes you will need the help that this can provide, but use it with caution because if you apply too much pressure on it you will have teeth marks all over your wall. Either way, you will want the paper to get saturated with the solvent and the paper will begin to peel away. You can help coax it by using the putty knife.

• You need to cover any outlets that are exposed with plastic and tape. But, all-in-all you shouldn't drench the walls that much.

• You cannot pull the paper directly from the wall. You need to coax it by spraying the paper with a mixture of vinegar and water. You use two parts vinegar and four parts water. Spray or sponge the vinegar solution on the wall. Work one section at a time. Depending on the age of the paper, you may need to wait about ten minutes.

• Using a 2" putty knife gently ease back a corner of the paper (figure B), slowly peel away the paper with your fingers while pushing the putty knife along the wall behind the paper. Depending on the direction you begin, you will be able to gradually roll the paper up or down the wall in one large sheet as you proceed.

• A bucket comes in handy because you will need to give the un-papered wall a clean wipe.
  Spray the wall again with the water/vinegar mixture. This will remove any residue of glue that has stuck to the wall. Although you may not see the residue now, it will dry to the wall and create a texture you will be able to see if you are planning on repainting.

GUESTS :

Allegra Bennett
Editor, Renovating Woman magazine

When a Woman Takes an Ax to a Wall
Allegra Bennett
0965617327
March 2002
LPC Group

How to Hire a Contractor: A Homeowners Guide to Dynamic Contractor Relationships
Allegra Bennett
0965617319
September 2000
Renovating Woman

Website: www.renovatingwoman.com