Home Repair and Paint Guide

... Hanging new wallpaper can transform your rooms into a brand new environment. ... The options seem endless. ... To get started, you need a tape measure, four foot level, four inch putty knife, paint roller and pan, two inch paint brush, step ladder, razor knife, smoothing brush, and a large table or flat working surface. ... Any defects on the walls will be magnified by the wallpaper, so take your time and make sure all problems have been corrected. ... Moisture from the pasting process can loosen the old paper, and ink can bleed through new paper unless you seal it with a special primer/sealer. ... Only consider applying new wallpaper over old if the old paper is in good condition, smooth, only one layer thick, and will accept the paste. ... To prepare a papered surface, re-paste and roll any loose seams, repair nicks and rough spots, and flatten overlapping seams by removing the excess with a razor knife. ... To check if ink will bleed from the old paper, moisten a small piece of the old paper with a clean sponge. ... If the existing paper is nonporous, use vinyl-to-vinyl primer to ensure adhesion and prevent mildew ...

... For a tub or shower enclosure, the basic procedure is to start with the ceiling first. ... Once the ceiling has been tiled, proceed to the back wall. ... Horizontal Working Lines Horizontal working lines are drawn first. ... The 1/8″ difference (if there is a difference) can be hidden with grout. ... Make a line (using a level and a straight edge) along the back wall and the two end walls. ... Determine a level line just like for a level tub and run a batten along the bottom of the line. ... This provides a level surface for the tile. ... You will have to cut the bottom row of tiles to fit along the uneven top edge of the tub or pan. ... To do this, first locate the mid-point on the back wall and mark it on the horizontal line. ... The distance left at each end gives you the dimension of your border tiles. ... If the end tiles are less than half the width of a tile, move the center line exactly one half the width of a tile to the left or right ...