How to remove chip wallpaper?

[insidemyknee]

Hi all.

This summer I want to re-do my bedroom. It has hideous textured wood chip wallpaper and I need to get rid of it! >.<

I don't really want to hire a steam stripper because I have no idea how to do this myself and my stepdad isn't offering to help me. �_�

I read that if you' sponge' an area of the wall with hot water and then chip off the wallpaper by hand it is effective. Is this so? Any other tips?

Thanks in advance! ^-^

[insidemyknee]

10ClarionSt, thanks for the advice

Are you sure cold water though? Wouldn't warm water get soaked better?

[insidemyknee]

Rightio then. Thanks very much! :]

[Naomicorlett]

We had to strip a load of woodchip from my m-in-laws bungalow. We bought a rotary stripping tool from B&Q I think it was made by stanley . This scores the woodchip without damaging the plaster beneath. Then lots and lots of soaking I put a drop of washing up liquid in to help it soak in. Patience is the key...let it soak for a whole day keeping it damp if you can . Good luck its a horrible job but worth it.

[Postdog]

Those rotary's are good, but a waste of money if you are only doing the one room. Scoring takes a bit longer but will be cheaper.

[Naomicorlett]

Also I have to do another house so I have ordered a kit from www.wallwik.co.uk the testimonials look good. The two room kit cost �35 but I am short of time so I hope it's worth it. I will report back. PS the rotary stripping tool was not expensive and it doesn't damage the plaster beneath which a knife can do if you get heavy handed and impatient!!

[insidemyknee]

Thanks, Postdog & Naomi.

Just incase anyone comes across this, I've found that it's really easy just to do it by hand. :)

I use a scrapper to (carefully!) remove the chip wallpaper. This leaves a lot of it on the wall though - but it's easy to get off by sponging it with water with a bit of fairy liquid in it, leaving it for a minute and then simply scrapping the damp paper off.