( 
)How To Repair Damaged Walls
Ever tried to remove wallpaper? I have, and guess what..NOT A PRETTY PICTURE. Oh I know they have gadgets and gizmos and solutions galore, but I still wrecked my sheet rock. In fact, I dont know what was uglier, the wallpaper circa 1970 something, orrrrr my huge gouge marks left by my struggling to remove it. Alas, what are you to do? Well after much sweat, blood and tears..I decided to quit. Yes, I quit. It was a disaster. I decided the best thing to do, was patch the holes with joint compound, and put a thin layer over the seams and any area I had partially ripped wallpaper. Now, I knew if I painted, all these horrible areas would show through. Why? Because you usually have to use a semi gloss in any area with moisture, ie: Bathroom and sometimes kitchen...sooooooo I went on a hunt. I even thought of putting new sheetrock over the existing sheetrock. Yes, it was that bad. I soon discovered, that hardware stores now carry textured, paintable wall paper in a a variety of styles. I went home, painted my ugly failure in primer, and put up the textured paintable wall paper. Yes, a great fix, and you can still use a neutral color on the finished product. Never fear home improvers..there are times when you can, and should use wall paper without feeling like you have committed the home decor blunder of the century.
Ads by Google
1. Patch the holes with joint compound.
2. sand the rough edges with a medium grit sandpaper. Using a palm sander works great.
3. Go over wall paper seams with the joint compound. We dont want the seams to show, so this can help hide them. Remember to sand the seam before and after doing this step.
4. Paint the walls with the recommended primer for going over existing wallpaper. I would do it twice if you have the strength.
5. Get any variety of textured paintable wallpaper. Many hardware/ home improvement stores carry these. I went to Lowes. If you are a novice, pick one witha very simple pattern or texture. Otherwise you may have a time lining up all the designs on the wall paper.
Ever tried to remove wallpaper? I have, and guess what..NOT A PRETTY PICTURE. Oh I know they have gadgets and gizmos and solutions galore, but I still wrecked my sheet rock. In fact, I dont know what was uglier, the wallpaper circa 1970 something, orrrrr my huge gouge marks left by my struggling to remove it. Alas, what are you to do? Well after much sweat, blood and tears..I decided to quit. Yes, I quit. It was a disaster. I decided the best thing to do, was patch the holes with joint compound, and put a thin layer over the seams and any area I had partially ripped wallpaper. Now, I knew if I painted, all these horrible areas would show through. Why? Because you usually have to use a semi gloss in any area with moisture, ie: Bathroom and sometimes kitchen...sooooooo I went on a hunt. I even thought of putting new sheetrock over the existing sheetrock. Yes, it was that bad. I soon discovered, that hardware stores now carry textured, paintable wall paper in a a variety of styles. I went home, painted my ugly failure in primer, and put up the textured paintable wall paper. Yes, a great fix, and you can still use a neutral color on the finished product. Never fear home improvers..there are times when you can, and should use wall paper without feeling like you have committed the home decor blunder of the century.
Ads by Google
1. Patch the holes with joint compound.
2. sand the rough edges with a medium grit sandpaper. Using a palm sander works great.
3. Go over wall paper seams with the joint compound. We dont want the seams to show, so this can help hide them. Remember to sand the seam before and after doing this step.
4. Paint the walls with the recommended primer for going over existing wallpaper. I would do it twice if you have the strength.
5. Get any variety of textured paintable wallpaper. Many hardware/ home improvement stores carry these. I went to Lowes. If you are a novice, pick one witha very simple pattern or texture. Otherwise you may have a time lining up all the designs on the wall paper.
Guide created: 02/18/09
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 
