Wallpaper--How do I get wallpaper off of unprimed sheetrock?

by Andrea
(Harker Heights, TX )

Boo! Bad builder!

I have a small bathroom in which I recently attempted to remove wallpaper as part of a DIY remodel. After attempts using a steamer and an enzyme product, I discovered the drywall was not sized or primed. This results in the paper layer of the drywall pulling away with the wallpaper. I was wondering if you have encountered this issue with projects, and how you have handled it.

I have read that Guardz can be used to seal the remaining layers of drywall, but I am nervous about the result looking uneven. Do you think that your Lusterstone technique could be used in this case over the Guardz product? Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated!

Answer:

Let me start by saying that I got a good chuckle from your photo caption. I can certainly understand the frustration, and yes, I have encountered this problem before.

Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for this. I know that's not exactly what you wanted to hear. The problem, as you mentioned, is that painting over existing wallpaper will have horrible results--if not immediately, then at some point in the future. The seams will eventually begin to peel up and separate, and you'll be left with a horribly ugly wall.

I always urge people to do a project right the first time. That way, you won't have to deal with it in the future. With that in mind, you have a few options:

1. Re-sheetrock your bathroom. I know this sounds like a huge, daunting project, but it might be the best idea to just give you a fresh start. And it really isn't as difficult as most people think it is. It's also pretty inexpensive. If possible, see if you have any friends or family members who have experience with this, and ask them to help you. It'll be a weekend project.

2. Remove all of the loose wallpaper, and then use joint compound to do a skim coat over the entire wall. You will probably have to do one coat, and then sand smooth, do a second coat, and sand smooth. You can then texture your walls with a standard orange-peel or knockdown texture, prime, and paint.

3. You could do a Venetian plaster-type wall treatment using joint compound. This would be the easiest solution, it would hide the imperfections on your walls, and it wouldn't require the application of a separate wall texture as mentioned in #2 above. However, the downside to this treatment is that it is not removable. If, at some point in the future, you decide that you want wallpaper or standard textured walls, your only choice will be to re-sheetrock your walls.

I think one of those would be your best options. Unfortunately, the Lusterstone wall treatment wouldn't work in your situation, because you would need to start with perfectly smooth walls.

Hope that helps! And let us know how it turns out! Happy decorating,