Whats the best way to get flat walls?

poppyolivia

Right I've finally done it, I have started the long boring task of removing the wallpaper from my kitchen...in some places there is 5 layers (even found a doorway under the layers!!:o )! Well most of it thats left is wee brown bits of paper...whats the best way to get these off? The kitchen is 2 rooms knocked into one so I want to do it right first go as there is going to be alot of wall on show if that makes sense.
Now after I've made the walls as good as I can is it possible to get a good look through relining it with heavy duty lining paper? Or is this a waste of time? To get an idea of the condition of walls there is I would say 70% flat and 30% lumpy, raw plug covered, flakey mess. Can't really afford a plasterer in (but if I HAVE to I will after abit of saving) Do I need to buy sugar soap? Heard that was good but I have no idea sorry:o I have papered before and I'm no too bad so not worried about that just don't want to waste time and effort cause I'm gonna be here awhile the rate I go!

Cheers:j

Goodness can't believe I forgot to say...above an internal doorway there is powdery black stuff that looks like mould/damp...its not feeling damp just powdery....is that a bad thing? Whats the first step in getting rid apart from wiping it off? its about the width of the door and less than a foot in height. Thanks xx

superstylin

Hi PoppyOlivia

thought i'd start this off since you have had no replies! i'm no expert that's for sure, but we're currently doing up a flat and have just finished preparing the walls so i thought i'd let you know our process!

we removed the wallpaper using steam. this brought most of it off but unfortunately (or fortunately however you look at it) caused cracks in the parts of the plaster that had no real take on the bricks behind. we took these bits off, taking it back to a well held line and cleaning debris from behind as much as possible. we continued by washing the walls with sugar soap solution and using a brillo pad to get at the stubborn bits of paper left behind. any rawl plugs were pulled out (a tip is to put a screw into the plug then pull the screw, if they still don't come out you can drill through the rawl plug and pull). all holes were cleaned out and filled with patching plaster so that it stood slightly proud. these were sanded back when dry. the bigger patches of plaster that came off with the steamer we had skimmed by a plasterer. we are now using a 1400gsm lining paper to cover any small imperfections and it seems to be doing a good job.

the thing to remember is you don't need a plasterer to do whole walls or rooms. they can just patch particularly bad bits and this saves a good bit of money. (even better if you have a friend or relative who can plaster at mates rates!)

robnye

if you are intending to just paint the walls then yes a lining paper should be used, depending on how bad the walls are, will depend on how thick a lining paper you use,
alternatively you could use something like a blown paper type of paper and then paint, which will allow the blown pattern to hide the lumps and bumps

jason_s_2

Why not have them skimmed?

poppyolivia

jason_s wrote: »

Why not have them skimmed?

I would love to have the room skimmed but its probably an expensive job, the room size is 6.60 metres X 3.10 metres and not alot of wall units......????


superstylin, thats a good tip with the raw plugs...I keep finding more!:rotfl:Is 1400gsm the thickest you can buy??? And can you buy it in places like focus and that? Sorry for sounding daft but I haven't really been out and about looking at materials yet....stripping the walls takes up most of my time! Good luck with doing up your flat, you sound like you know exactly what you're doing!


robnye, most of the house is done in that blown paper stuff and its really annoying me..mind you seeing the state of my walls I can understand why! The kitchen had 'flat' paper on it already (well 5 layers!) and it looked smooth as anything when it was natural light but it was flaking in places with the paint. We had our ceiling done (ripped down and replaced) and the decorator ripped quite abit of the top of the paper and plastered the ripped bits but it looked really shoddy in certain lights even when I painted it...so it had to go...I really want to replace it with 'flat' paper if I can....might have 4 or 5 layers to get it up to scratch though:rotfl:

cheers for your help though everyone!!:T

andrew-b

superstylin wrote: »

any rawl plugs were pulled out (a tip is to put a screw into the plug then pull the screw, if they still don't come out you can drill through the rawl plug and pull

... or just bash them in so they are below the surface - which is much less hassle than messing about with drills

poppyolivia

andrew-b wrote: »

... or just bash them in so they are below the surface - which is much less hassle than messing about with drills

Thats more my style!!!!:rotfl:

lilac_lady

Blown wallpapers are supposedly "in" again. Must get some before they're "out"! (not).

poppyolivia

lilac_lady wrote: »

Blown wallpapers are supposedly "in" again. Must get some before they're "out"! (not).

:rotfl: :rotfl: Some are really nice though but I think its because both houses I've lived in have had it in some shape or form and I just want to go plain!!!;)

superstylin

andrew-b wrote: »

... or just bash them in so they are below the surface - which is much less hassle than messing about with drills

aye you're right lol i'd do that just as long as you know you're never gonna want to place a picture or anything else there afterwards because drilling an area to place a new rawl plug would be a nightmare if there's one behind already!

PasturesNew

As I see it, thinking long-term, if you do pay for a skim now it's done and your flat walls can be painted and repainted when you like.

If you put up lining paper, it might still be a little bumpy and then there are the join marks. Over time, in a steamy environment, you might find that the paper gathers smell and/or starts to split down the join lines. You'd also have to be careful you didn't tear it with the 1001 sharp instruments and gadgets you'd use in a kitchen.

Get 3 quotes and see ... might be less than you think.

I bought an old house, every wall was papered. I took all the paper off and replastered where the walls off came with it. Best thing ever in the long run as all walls were exposed and could breathe again. I prefer a wall where you can see what you're dealing with to one that's got hidden secrets.