Homeowner stuck with old wallpaper
Q: Our home has had the same wallpaper for 24 years, and some of the edges are peeling. Unfortunately, the person who hung the paper glued it to the drywall without applying wallpaper sizing first. Therefore, stripping the paper will probably damage the drywall surfaces. So, here are my two choices: I can glue down the loose edges and apply paint or wallpaper over the old paper, or I can try to strip the old paper and possibly damage the drywall. I'm a pretty good handyman, but I’m nearly 80 and am not looking for major projects. Given the choices, what do you recommend?
A: When you say the wallpaper was installed without sizing, does that mean the drywall was not primed or painted? If paint or primer was used, stripping can probably be done without damaging the drywall surfaces, even if sizing was not used. But why burden yourself with the mindless tedium of wallpaper removal?
For someone who is “not looking for major projects, your first suggestion seems more practical. The old wallpaper has lasted for 24 years, and you are no longer an energetic young man. If you don't mind having a second layer of wallpaper for the next 24 years, that will take you to age approximately 104. At that point, you probably won't care about wallpaper, sizing, stripper or paint. Therefore, the best option could be summarized as “why worry?” Glue the peeled edges, slap on another layer of wallpaper and relax with a good book.
Q: Our house was built in 1972, with aluminum wiring for all the outlet and light circuits. Recently, we learned that aluminum wire is a fire hazard. Since we have had no fire-related problems for the past 35 years, we’re wondering if this is true about aluminum wire. If so, is there a fix besides rewiring the entire house? Also, if we sell the house without rewiring it, will we be liable for future problems?
A: Aluminum wiring was installed in many homes from the late 1960s through the early 1970s, particularly in mobile homes. When used for 110-volt circuits, it is commonly recognized as a potential fire hazard. Fortunately, the solution does not involve rewiring your home. The problem exists at the connections only, requiring localized upgrades, rather than wire replacement.
Aluminum wire ends can become loose at connecting hardware, and this can cause overheating of the connections, resulting in house fires. This does not mean that the aluminum connections in your home are necessarily faulty, but there is a potential for overheating, even if you've never noticed a problem. In some cases, burned wires have been discovered within walls when homes were being remodeled.
The common solution is to install special connectors, commonly known as “pigtails,” at outlets, lights, and switches. This should be done by a licensed electrician who is familiar with aluminum wire issues.
As for future liability when you sell your home, just be sure to disclose to buyers that the house is wired with aluminum and include documentation to show that the wire ends have been retrofitted.
• Distributed by Action Coast Publishing. Questions to Barry Stone can be emailed to barry@housedetective.com.