Best Ways to Remove Old Wallpaper

by Craftsmans Corner | Sep 25, 2017 | Uncategorized

Changing the wallpaper in your house every once in a while is a great idea if you are looking for a cost-effective way to renovate your house. Changing the wallpaper will completely change the way that your house looks and feels and will add a unique touch to your house. However, changing the wallpaper is not as easy as it might seem. A very strong solution is applied to the walls before applying the wallpaper in order to ensure that it sticks firmly. As a result, removing the wallpaper is not an easy task by any means. If you want to remove the wallpaper without causing excessive damage to the walls of your house, here are a few tips that you should follow.

Determine the Type of Wall

Before you think about removing the old wallpaper from your house, you have to determine the type of walls in your house. Most houses throughout the United States usually contain plaster or drywall. Plaster was generally the material of choice in houses that are older than 50 years and are still standing. It is made using wood lathe that is nailed to the wood-framed walls and is covered with a couple of layers of plaster. These walls are generally pretty solid and will sound dull when you knock on them.

Drywall has been used for the past five decades or so and is basically made from a chalk-like substance that is layered with a very lightweight cardboard. The sheets are made in different sizes, are generally nailed to the wood-framed walls, and usually make a hollow sound when you tap on them. Keep in mind that drywall is generally very delicate so you can tear through it if you aren’t careful.

Prepping

Before you start mixing the solution, you have to remove all the furniture and carpets from the area. You can then start stripping the wallpaper from the walls. If the surface of the drywall is also removed, it’s probably because the surface was not sealed with adequate paint. You will need to call a maintenance company in order to repair the drywall before you can apply the new wallpaper.

All modern wallpapers are generally strippable so you can easily remove them without having to use any kind of water or chemicals. If the wallpaper was installed only recently, you might be in luck. In order to remove the wallpaper, all you have to do is hold the strip firmly and then pull it in a uniform manner. Strippable wallpapers are very easy to remove as long as you are careful when removing the strip. Do not pull on the strip with a sudden lurch as you might end up tearing it off. Once all the wallpaper has been removed, you will then need to clean the walls properly in order to get rid of the previous glue and solution before you start preparing the walls for the new wallpaper to be installed.

Tips for Properly Painting Over Mold or Mildew

by Craftsmans Corner | Sep 18, 2017 | Uncategorized

Mold or mildew can cause a lot of damage to your property if you don’t pay proper attention to it. Mold or mildew generally grows due to dampness and tends to spread very quickly. There have been many cases where the entire foundation of a building collapsed just due to the excessive growth of mold inside. Mold or mildew also starts growing on the walls of the house and needs to be treated with care. If you are painting on walls that have mold or mildew on them, you have to take a few precautions. Ideally, it’s best if you get rid of the mold or mildew before you start painting the walls. Here are a few tips for properly removing the mold or mildew from the walls and then painting over them.

Start by Checking for Plumbing Leaks

You should first start off by checking for any plumbing leaks behind the walls in order to determine the source of water leakage. Mold or mildew generally starts growing in damp areas. If you simply shave off the mold growth and paint over the walls, it’s not going to be a permanent fix. Within a few months, the paint will start to swell as water begins to accumulate behind it. You have to start off by checking for plumbing leaks in order to determine the exact source of mold or mildew. If you notice signs of mold near the water pipes or the icemaker lines, there’s a pretty high chance that there’s a leak somewhere. You have to make sure that you seal off the leak and seal it shut before you start preparing the surface for painting.

Mixing the Solution

Put on some rubber gloves in order to prevent injuring yourself while working on the walls. Then, mix a solution of bleach and water. Use one part bleach and three parts water in order to get the right mixture. Apply it on the area that has become affected with mold or mildew and then use a stiff-bristled brush in order to remove any signs of the mold or mildew. Let the solution sit for at least 10-15 minutes before you start washing it. Empty the bucket and then fill it up with clean water to rinse the bleach away. Once that is done, you should wipe away the surface to remove any excess moisture from the walls.

Warnings

When working on the walls, you have to make sure that you keep children or animals away from the walls. Using bleach is pretty dangerous so it’s important that you take the appropriate steps to prevent harm to any other person in the house. When working with bleach, you also have to make sure that you don’t let it touch the exposed surfaces of your body. If you have to climb a ladder in order to work, make sure that you call someone to spot you so that you don’t fall off or lose your balance while you work.