Removing wallpaper is often hard work, but it needn't be a chore.
:: There are various methods for stripping wallpaper but by far the easiest is a wallpaper steam stripper, which you can hire or buy inexpensively. If you've got a lot of wallpaper to strip, it certainly makes sense to buy one. These strippers are similar to big kettles and it's easy to get scalded by the steam or drips of boiling water, so use with care and try to keep the hose straight because it can twist off, leaving steam streaming dangerously from the stripper.
:: To operate a steam stripper, you simply hold the steam plate to the wall and wait for the steam to loosen the wallpaper. Keep testing to see if the paper is loose because you can damage the plaster underneath if you hold the plate on for too long. For speed, hold the plate to the wall with one hand and scrape where you've already steamed with the other hand.
:: Some wallpapers have more than one layer, or you'll find layers of different wallpapers, in which case it's often easier to remove one layer at a time. The steam will penetrate better if you score the wallpaper first, especially if it's thick, but you may leave score lines in the plaster, which is no good if you're not replastering or repapering, so do a tester patch first.
:: The best wallpaper stripping knives have long metal handles and replaceable blades, which screw in place. The only problem is that these blades are really sharp when new and can damage the plaster underneath if the wallpaper's thin or you're not careful when scraping. If you're worried about this, traditional wallpaper scrapers with non-replaceable, triangular-shaped blades are less sharp.
:: Clear up your wallpaper scrapings as you go along because once dry, they set hard and can stick like glue to floors and other surfaces. After stripping, you'll need to scrub and scrape the walls with sugar-soap solution and then clean water to get rid of any leftover paste and scraps of paper.
DIY news bulletin
If the start of spring has inspired you to get stuck into home improvement, get along to Focus DIY, where, until March 27, you'll get 15% off when you spend £50 or more (excluding lawnmowers, gift vouchers and concessions).
You also qualify for their Spring Discount Card, which gives you 10% off all further purchases made in store until April 30 (excluding the Thetford store, where the offer is spend £25 and receive 15% off all purchases with the card until June 19). Visit www.focusdiy.co.uk to find your nearest store.
Mira Showers has added several new models to its range of showers and showerheads. They incorporate some very clever features, including rubber rings around each spray hole to make cleaning off limescale easy, showerheads that let you change between four different sprays at the flick of a switch, eco showering modes to save water, and digital control boxes that enable you to pre-program a range of options, including turning on the shower wirelessly from the comfort of your bed.
Prices start at £21.12 for a Beat or Nectar showerhead. For more information, go to www.mirashowers.co.uk.
Want new tiles but can't face the hassle of removing the existing tiles? B&Q's new porcelain Slim Tiles are the answer. At just 4.5mm thick, they're slimmer than ordinary tiles. Suitable for both walls and floors and available in matt black and ivory, each tile measures 300mm x 600mm. They cost £39.98 for a pack of six. Find out more at www.diy.com.
Ask the expert..
Q: I've got scratches on my cast-iron bath. Can I disguise them?
A: Use a specialist paint, such as Ronseal Kitchen & Bathroom Touch-up Enamel (£11.98 for 10ml), which you just shake for a couple of minutes and then apply in several thin coats (leave to dry for 24 hours). It's like correction fluid and can be used on white bathroom suites and kitchen sinks and appliances.
Seasonal task...
It's Mothering Sunday on April 3 so, as well as the usual flowers and chocs, give your mum a nice surprise by offering to do all those DIY jobs that she never gets round to doing or can't do herself.
