Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. Wallpaper can be a beautiful and a long-lasting d cor solution, but when it s time to remove it you need patience, perseverance and a little know-how. There are different techniques for removing every kind of wallpaper, but the tools and preparation are much the same. First and foremost, realize that this is a wet and messy process. Removing or re-covering everything in the room with plastic and masking off trim and windows will eliminate a lot of cleanup hassles. Start at a top corner of the wall and try peeling off any loose areas of the outer layer. Once you ve peeled off everything you can, run a perforation tool over the rest. Mix your removal solution according to the manufacturer s instructions and spray it on with a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Wallpaper remover is an enzyme designed to dissolve the adhesive. Let it sit 5 minutes or so before you start scraping with a putty knife. To avoid damaging the plaster or drywall as you scrape, use only the knife s flat edge and not the corners. You may need to spray again a few times to get it all. Buying or renting a wallpaper steamer can make tough jobs much easier. Use this tool carefully because soaking the drywall or plaster will damage it. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Preparing the Finish Plaster Coat

It's time for the finish coat on the new plaster walls. Gary Annino explains how the plasterer creates a gauge of slaked lime and water. The gauge acts like a swimming pool into which water is poured and plaster is sprinkled and left to sit. After about ten minutes, the reaction is complete and the gauge is ready to be mixed into a lime plaster. This lime-plaster finish coat will be applied in a thin coat then polished up with a final application until it shines like marble. During this last pass and polish with a trowel, the plasterer keeps a spray bottle handy, constantly spraying the plaster so the trowel will glide over the surface and polish it smooth. Overall, the finish coat is about 1/8 inch thick. Bob then looks at the ceiling where wire lath is used to repair the holes and allow them to rebuild the plaster. The entire ceiling will receive a skim coat of lime plaster when the rough coats are done.

Green Cleaning: Outdoors

…soap and a scoop of borax. Pump or spray the solution onto the metal chairs…
…every cup of water and put it in a spray bottle. Test it on the back side of the…
…says. Once you know it s safe, spray it on and don t worry about rinsing…

Jump To: How To Library » Cleaning

Renovating a Home that has Lead Paint

…are scraping paint outside, put plastic down first. 2. Minimize Dust Use wet sanding techniques and have a spray bottle on hand as you work to keep dust to a minimum. Score wood before you pry it off, Duffey says, and pay special attention…

Jump To: How To Library » Healthy Home

Replacing a Frozen Outdoor Faucet with a Freeze-Proof One

…pipe into the coupling. To prepare the surrounding area for soldering, first wrap the coupling with plastic. Use a spray bottle to saturate the surrounding area with water. Remove the plastic. Insert a fireproof cloth to the area directly behind…

Jump To: How To Library » Plumbing » Faucets

Replacing a Leaky Valve

…when the solder flows freely into the connection. Step 9: Prepare the area around the existing pipe. Use a spray bottle to wet the wood joists and the areas around the existing pipe. Fasten a fireproof cloth to the area directly behind…

Jump To: How To Library » Plumbing » Pipes, Drains & Fittings

How to Repair Chipped or Cracked Stucco

Repairing chipped or cracked stucco is an easy project, but you'll need to set aside a few days to complete it.

Repairing Chipped or Cracked Stucco

…until it is the consistency of peanut butter. Use a spray bottle or hose to wet the surface where the new stucco is to…
… Step 4: Apply the final coat of stucco Use a spray bottle or hose to wet the scratch layer. Dampen a float with…

Jump To: How To Library » Siding » Miscellaneous Siding

Rebuilding a Wall with Three-Coat Plaster

…plaster that is skimmed onto the wall and smoothed to create a hard, shiny finish coat. Master plasterers work with a spray bottle to keep the plaster wet as they smooth it to a perfect finish. Beneath the Surface "Each plaster job is unique…

Jump To: How To Library » Walls & Ceilings » Walls » Plaster Walls

Brick Basics: Maintenance, Care and Cleaning

…on your home's exterior will require a different cleaning agent. Once a year use a garden hose, with a spray nozzle, or a spray bottle once a year to remove any loose dirt. If a particular side of your home receives little to no sunlight and…

Jump To: How To Library » Masonry & Paving » Brick & Stone

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