Would You Like a Free Expert Consultation?

Las Vegas Handyman 

Not every project goes as well as planned. We would be happy to spend a few minutes answering your questions.

Subscribe by Email

Your email:

Browse by Tag

Pro Handyman Blog

Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

Handyman Tells How To Trim Wallpaper Edges

  
  
  

handyman wallpaperIf you are going to install wallpaper, use this handyman tip: use a sharp blade. Installing wallpaper can be a messy job, and the last thing you want to do is to do the job again. When you fitting wallpaper to the wall, it can be a time consuming process.

After you have activated the adhesive and booked the drop, place the drop onto the wall into position. You will have to adjust it slightly, but try not to move it around too much. You will need to align any pattern in the paper and butt the paper together. Use a damp sponge or a plastic scraper and smooth out the paper, getting rid of any bubbles.

You will need to trim the paper for length. For this you need a new razor blade. You might be tempted to use a blade that is fairly new but don’t do it. The very last thing you want to happen is for the wallpaper to tear. Use the scraper tool and push the wallpaper against the ceiling or baseboard, whichever you are trimming. Start in the middle of the paper and push the bubbles out ending at the baseboard or ceiling. Gently push the paper to the edge and hold the scraper in place while you run the sharp razor blade along the edge. The scraper will act as a guide as you cut. Don’t lift the blade as you cut. Instead, keep the blade cutting and stop, then move the scraper forward and continue cutting the paper until the paper has been completely cut. The waste strip will easily pull away and you will be left with a perfect edge.

Cover Your Switch Covers To Match Wallpaper

  
  
  

wallpaperIf you’ve installed wallpaper before you know it can be messy, but the finished product is very nice. The last think you want to see on your newly wallpapered wall, in a plain looking builder-grade white wall switch cover. Boring! Here is how you can dress it up and make it blend in.

You can cover the wall plate with wallpaper to match the paper on the wall. Use a piece of wallpaper that will perfectly match the pattern. You can cut a large square and place it in the general area of the switch plate to make sure. If you have a complex pattern you will have to be more exact, but if you have, for example, vertical stripes it will be fairly easy to match up.

You are going to dry fit the wallpaper over the switch plate cover, so you will need to remove the cover and turn off the power to the switch. Cut the paper to fit around the cover leaving about an inch of overhang. When you have the pattern matched up, you can use contact cement on the cover. You will need to work fairly quickly as the cement dries fast. Fit the paper and hold it to the wall to make sure the pattern lines up. For the openings in the wall plate, use a blade and cut an “X” at the opening, folding the flaps through the opening and around to the back Let everything dry, and then you can screw it back on the wall. For a finishing touch you can paint the screw heads the same color as the wallpaper.

Tags: 

Repairing Wallpaper Blemishes

  
  
  

wallpaperLet’s be honest, wallpaper installations are not one of my favorite things. I’ve done it many times, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Along the way I’ve learned a few things I will share.

There are times that no matter what, wallpaper seams just won’t behave. You are supposed to butt the seams together and roll them just once using only light pressure so you don’t squeeze all of the glue out of the seam. This works most of the time. For the times that it doesn’t work, use small amounts of wallpaper adhesive and work it into the seam areas. You can try a small syringe and place a few dabs where you need it, or you can use a cotton swab. If you use a cotton swab you may leave some fibers in the adhesive, but they won’t be noticeable when it dries.

If you are hanging the paper and you see small bubbles, don’t worry. They should disappear after a while. If they don’t go away, you can use a sharp razor blade and cut a small slit in the bubble to push out the air. You may want to use add some paper adhesive just to make sure it stays down.

Tags: 
All Posts