House Chatt: Home Improvement Show in Chattanooga Tennessee

Ask Matt

Matt Hullander is a 17 year home improvement/new construction veteran and he'll answer your questions every week on House Chatt. Drop Matt a line below and then check back here every week for the latest questions and answers. Don't forget to find Matt Wednesday mornings on News 12 This Morning on WDEF-News 12.

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“When applying a new wall covering, stripping off the old wallpaper is usually wiser than leaving it on. New coverings adhere better to stripped-down surfaces. Depending on the wall covering and the kind of wall it's on, there are several ways to approach the job. Now, if you've decided to strip off the old stuff, here are the detailed instructions for removing strippable wall coverings. First, pry the paper up in an inconspicuous corner at the top of a wall with the tip of a utility knife. Next, grasp the tip of the corner and, keeping it as close to the wall as possible, try to pull it down the surface of the wall. Pulling it toward you and away from the wall increases the likelihood of tearing it. If a covering is strippable, it should peel away from the wall when you apply steady, moderate pressure. If not, you're probably dealing with a non-strippable paper that you will have to soak, steam, or dry-strip off the wall. NOTE: Do not soak or use steam-stripping methods on drywall, though. The moisture can soften the wall's kraft-paper surface and its gypsum core. Instead, use a dry-strip method.”