HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-10-16, Page 18(MS) -- Wallpaper is back in
vogue -- and it’s much easier to hang
than you think! The secret behind a
beautiful wallpapering project is
proper prep.
Just follow these tips:
A clean wall is the first essential
step.
Remove dirt, grime, grease, old
wallpaper adhesive and any other
contaminants that could interfere
with the adhesion with a simple soap
and water solution. If the old wallpa-
per adhesive gives you a hard time,
try using a wallpaper removal prod-
uct.
Here’s a tip from the pros:
Wallpaper does not hide chipping
paint or holes in the surface of the
wall.
Make sure to sand chipped paint
and repair holes before hanging
your wallpaper.
Be sure to apply a primer.
Wallpaper needs a smooth, sealed
surface to look its best, so be sure to
prime and seal your surface before
hanging paper.
A primer designed for wallcover-
ing prep, primes, hides, seals and
sizes in just one coat, creating a per-
fect surface for hanging the
paper.
Priming also makes wallpaper eas-
ier to position, improves its adhe-
sion, and makes it easier to remove
at redecorating time.
Choose the correct adhesive.
Different types of wallpaper can
require different adhesives.
PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2008.
On a roll
Wallpaper is back — and a hot
decorating trend. Be sure to
apply it correctly. (MS photo)
Follow the ABCs of hanging wallpaper
Continued grom page 17
infestation. Expect the unexpected
when you begin a project, and set
aside extra funds for such surprises.
Use caution around power
sources:A home will have a number
of cables and electric lines running
through it, with many originating
outside of the home. Don’t simply
pick up a sledgehammer and begin
demo. Always know where outlets,
plugs and wires are located and
work around them.
Rely on the right tools: Injuries
often occur when the right tools
aren’t used. Set aside a variety of
tools -- from screwdrivers and drills
to crowbars and hammers -- to get
the job done.
When in doubt, call in a profes-
sional: If you’re unsure of an aspect
of demolition, it may be best left to
a professional -- even if it costs you
a few dollars more.
(MS) -- Many homeowners find
that, if they haven’t been diligent
with cleaning up leaves that have
dropped from trees in the autumn,
the pigment in these leaves may end
up staining driveways and other con-
crete or masonry surfaces.
The result is brown, red, yellow, or
green leaf impressions that can be
difficult to remove. Removing these
stains can be done with the same
methods used for cleaning other
concrete stains.
Because certain chemicals used to
clean concrete can be extremely
caustic, it’s important to start with
the safest method of cleaning and
then move up as attempts to remove
stains are made but not successful.
For example, start with a pressure-
washer that shoots a high-speed
stream of water at the surface that
may remove a thin layer of the con-
crete and the stains. Household
bleach or outdoor strength bleach
can also be tried.
Many masonry cleaners on the
market contain phosphoric acid,
which is generally safe for do-it-
yourselfers if the warnings are heed-
ed.
Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is
another option, but some areas ban
the use of products containing phos-
phates.
One of the strongest and most dan-
gerous concrete cleaning products is
muriatic acid. This is a derivative of
hydrochloric acid and it will virtual-
ly break down everything it touches,
with the exception of some plastics.
Muriatic acid is best left for pro-
fessionals as it requires safety gog-
gles, rubber boots and even rubber
overalls for the safest application.
Plus, the acid can produce noxious
fumes and can spurt out of a con-
tainer if mixed improperly.
Expect the
unexpected
during
demo
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Cleaning leaf stains off concrete