Wallpaper emergency!

[jcorn59483]

Our painter, coming on Monday, told us we could "save some money" by taking DIF and a paper tiger and taking off our wallpaper before he came. Well, I'm scared to death now because I am down to some cardboard colored paper and underneath that is plaster or drywall (and even some of that plaster is getting chipped up) Is this right? Are we supposed to go all the way to the drywall or plaster? At one point, we even went through the drywall (where the towel bar is;it came off)
Please email me at jcorn59483@aol.com because I put a message on our guy's voice mail and he has not answered yet. We are paying him big bucks but I'm scared to do more damage to our walls. Or is it okay to go all the way to the white plaster or drywall. Help!

[Chris Murphy]

It's hard to tell exactly what you are finding there because you are mixing terms.
I'll assume that the top layer- with the print- came off pretty easy; was it plastic-like vinyl? So then you are down to the "cardboard color" backing paper- this needs to come off too. The trick there is to be patient- if you start scraping too early, you'll dig into the sheetrock facing paper (usually gray or if real old, brown), and below that, the gypsum (white). There is no plaster in sheetrock. The joints of the sheetrock panels are smoothed over with (white) joint compound. This is very porous and easy to gouge, but also easily repairable.
Once the backing paper is off, you'll feel a slick substance underneath- that's paste. Wet it, wait a few minutes, and wash it off.

[Chuck Berkman, CP]

You wrote:

"Is this right? Are we supposed to go all the way to the drywall or plaster? At one point, we even went through the drywall (where the towel bar is;it came off)"
You're paying this painter "big bucks". If he knows his stuff, you will get good value from him. I can not help but question his experience if he suggested you purchase a paper tiger to do your own stripping over the weekend prior to Monday's appointment. I don't know of ONE professional that trusts this tool.
You talk of the "white" of the plaster or drywall. What happened to the paint? Was this existing paper put on over unpainted drywall or plaster? The paper should have removed to at least a coat of primer or contractor's flat. It sounds like you may have considerable paint delamination, as well as an extra hole in the wall now, where the towel bar used to be.
I hope this fellow returns your call prior to Monday. There's some wall repairs to be done. And, like Chris said, it is easily accomplished. To emphasize...DON'T FORGET THE PASTE!!! Applying a latex paint over a paste residue is asking for instant texture.
Are you getting the value that you expected by removing your own wallcovering, just prior to an alleged professional coming in to paint after you?
:) Chuck Berkman

[Mike Zekich]

FYI:

I received same email from jcorn. I replied and she called me at home today (Sunday) and I talked her through it.

Mike:llama:

[Chris Nelson]

Wow,she sure gets around. I thought I had talked her through it Sunday morning also!:llama:

[jcorn59483]

I was so panicky that I think I called every professional paperhanger in the country (and maybe a few nonprofessional ones as well, considering some of the advice I got).

More than a few people said, "First, pour yourself a stiff drink..."

I don't know whether that is professional advice or not but it sure helped...and it kept me from going near the wall again.

And yes, our painter was a pro and he didn't yell, scream or even look surprised when he walked in the door. He simply fixed the wall, slowly but surely and he gave me a fair price too. At least, it sure sounded fair to me, considering. He spent a lot of time sanding, refacing and fixing all the damage I'd done.

Anyway, you are a swell bunch of people and I really, really appreciate your understanding, advice and compassion. I don't think I could have made it through the weekend, nerves intact, without your help. From now on, I'm leaving this kind of job to the pros! I learned my lesson, big time.

[jcorn59483]

Well, I'll admit the guy is NOT a professional wallpaper person but he is by far the best painter I have ever seen. We've used a lot of painters through the years and he is tops.

About fair value- I honestly don't think he realized there were so many layers there or how much work was involved. He does primarily painting, although he certainly is doing a good job of taking down the wallpaper, even though it is taking a long time. He doesn't charge by the hour though, just by the room. So I don't see a huge extra cost from this...we've been talking price all along, on the same page there.