how do i remove wallpaper from plaster board?

empy

Hi all, I have been lurking on the site for a few weeks now and have learnt loads, and saved loads.

Finnally decided to post, my husband and I just bought a house, which we have just found out is timberframed, i.e the internal walls are plaserboarded, they are all wallpapered and we would like remove the paper and paint instead, how do we remove the wallpaper with out damaging the walls?



many thanks

Emma

windym_2

Hi Emma and welcome to MSE :j

Try this website....http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/removing_wall_paper.htm

I am assuming your plasterboard is actually skimmed on top, so unless anyone knows to the contrary, I would imagine a steamer would be the way to go. I think some of the DIY shops hire them out.

empy

hi, and many thanks for the reply, i have looked at the website and will try the wahing up liquid and water, i am a bit put off te steamer method as, we have a whole 4 bedroom house to do and every wall is papered, so thats alot of water and electric and we are metred for both.


regards

Emma

Steve_Boorman

empy wrote:

hi, and many thanks for the reply, i have looked at the website and will try the wahing up liquid and water, i am a bit put off te steamer method as, we have a whole 4 bedroom house to do and every wall is papered, so thats alot of water and electric and we are metred for both.


regards

Emma

The wallpaper Stripper is the quickest and best way to remove the paper...it will save you a lot of elbow grease,time,money and MESS !!! Just don't leave it in one place for too long.I have also found it helps to score the paper first...a good cheap way to do this is to bash half a dozen nails into a hand held block of wood so that the tips just protrude from the other side.Run this over the paper first and the steam will get behind it, making it easier to remove.(This also works for the washing up liquid and water method...best applied using a large sponge). Good luck

davef

Hi

yep would recommend the steam stripper. Stripped my last place from top to toe using a electric steamer and electric costs were low. Also each water fill would last approx 60-70mins.

This is the one I bought & would recommend

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=22888&ts=03869

It has been known for steam strippers to damage old plaster but I have never had this issue.

Also have a look at the wallpaper perforator from Toolstation for £7.88. (part code 63466) Should save on sore arms !!
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/HandTools/DecoratorsTools/d10/sd160


Dave

mjseeley

Hi there,
I'd strongly recommend not removing it if possible... depending on how it's held on it could be a massive job (wallpaper pastes differ hugely). If the wallpaper you have is in good condition and flat, you may be able to successfully paper over it with thick lining paper (1400grade). This could give you a much nicer surface to paint on. Removing the wallpaper there could leave you with a damageed surface - if it does then you'll need to repair the damage and possibly paper over anyway.

Best bet is try it somewhere and see how easy it is to remove...

http://www.zinsser.com/ProjectDetails.asp?ProjectID=23
Take a look at these steps... i'd recommend the "papertiger" if you go down this route - very good for "scoring" the surface before applying the wallpaper stripper.

Good luck!