I bought a house built in 1955, and it was a smoker's home since the 1970s. It's been tough tackling the nicotine stains while trying to remove the wallpaper in one bedroom, as there are five layers and the drywall underneath is pretty ruined. Most of the house is covered in textured wallpaper, and I'm considering whether it's more cost-effective to just replace the drywall entirely instead. Also, the popcorn ceiling is a concern—should I just drywall over it or seal the wallpaper, skim coat, and paint? Any advice?
2 Answers
If you're on a tight budget, I'd recommend sticking with trying to remove the wallpaper. But if you have a bit more to spend, pulling out the drywall completely might be worth it. It’ll save you a ton of time and give you the chance to make improvements—like fixing any wall issues, checking for pests, and adding insulation or new outlets.
When I got my house built in '55, the previous owners had covered everything with paint, even the wallpaper. After years away, I started seeing mysterious brown spots on my ceiling above the toilet. Turns out it was tar from the previous owner's smoking habits coming through the paint due to humidity! My contractor friend said the only fix is to take down the ceiling completely. So, addressing those nicotine issues now might save you headaches down the line!
I’ve noticed similar spots in my bathroom too! Definitely think there was a smoker before me as well. What a headache!