Sunday, January 10, 2010

Wallpaper removal continues...

This weekend, we had some help removing wall paper. Even though she spent some time working solo (THANK YOU!) she stuck to it, and ended up removing the outer layers of paper that remained in the dining room, and getting down to plaster, too. Sunday night, we homeowners even got in on the activity.

East wall
South wall
West wall
North wall
How one homeowner likes to kick back, after working hard on wallpaper removal

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Wallpaper removal has begun!

About a year and a half into homeownership, the wallpaper has finally met its fate. It is the end of an era... 5 layers of floral, splatter paint, and southwestern printed era.

The many layers of paint and wallpaper practically fell from the wall, except for the very first layer of paper. In about 10% of the total area, we got down to plaster, by just scraping the paper off (gently) while dry. With a a solution of 1/2 water and 1/2 fabric softener, the last of the paper scrapes up with a bit of elbow grease. The plaster, in general, looks very good.

We also discovered that behind the wallpaper was the last of the moisture from our insulation installation. Fortunately, there is no indication of mold (by smell or by my allergy-powered detector system), and the wallpaper comes off even more easily on these walls. In these areas, the dry-scraping-straight-to-plaster accounts for about 35% of the area.

The following pictures don't include the last shots of where we left off, tonight. We have a patch of plaster exposed that is about 2.5'x4." I will do the math for the total work hours per square foot of wallpaper removal, soon.

East Wall


South Wall


Some paper samples:









Wednesday, January 6, 2010

2010 Forecast

I was inspired by Our Portland Foursquare, to post a 2010 DIY to-do list. We have several projects on the chopping block, and maybe if I post them on the blog, we'll be extra motivated to get down to business!

The upcoming projects include:
  • stripping woodwork (in progress)
  • removing old wallpaper (in progress, going great!)
  • paint walls and woodwork (I know, I know)
  • level yard
  • retaining wall along front sidewalk
  • french drains
  • fix gutters
  • repair driveway
  • new back patio pavers
  • Restore the 5 sash windows

Lots of work in the yard, this spring and summer, but plenty indoors, for now, too. The wallpaper is coming down beautifully, and so far, the plaster looks pretty great, beneath. 2011, hopefully, will see a kitchen remodel and/or a bath remodel, possible new bath in basement and other basement improvements.