I just moved into a house built in 1986 and I'm planning to repaint the walls. However, the walls look like the first two pictures in this link. Someone told me that it seems like there's wallpaper that's been painted over, so I decided to buy a steamer and use a putty knife to remove it. The issue is, the wallpaper seems thicker than what I saw in tutorials on YouTube, and it leaves some fabric behind. I scraped deeper and it looks like I've exposed the drywall in the last picture. Can someone confirm if that's the drywall? Also, I'm wondering if the fabric could contain asbestos—should I get it tested?
3 Answers
It looks like you’re dealing with grasscloth wallpaper! That texture definitely gives it away. Just make sure to properly assess the condition of the wall underneath as you go. You might end up with rough patches if the drywall paper comes off with it.
Removing wallpaper, especially painted-over stuff, is no walk in the park. It always looks easier than it is! Just keep in mind you'll likely need to repair the wall's surface if you're going to repaint it. Don't get discouraged—it’s a DIY learning experience!
Haha, I’m learning that the hard way! I thought this would be a quick job, but now it feels like a marathon.
Yep, that’s definitely drywall in the last photo. Just a heads-up: as you scrape, you might find that the drywall paper could come off with the wallpaper, leaving you with an uneven surface. I’d suggest leaving it be and maybe using a thick primer before you repaint to keep things smooth. If it’s really bad, you might need to think about replacing the drywall completely.
Appreciate the advice! I scraped too deep and noticed a smooth, ivory layer, but it’s a bit sticky with brown spots which I think is leftover adhesive. Should I still go with the thick primer idea?
Thanks for the tip! I did a quick search and it seems that’s right—those textures totally match up.