(NAPSA)—Redecorating a home can be an exciting process for many homeowners. However, many dread the process of getting started when they first have to remove old wallpaper. Fortunately there is a simple solution: a wallpaper steamer. Wallpaper steamers can be as easy to use as an iron or garment steamer, and they allow smart doit-yourselfers to quickly remove old wallpaper and begin decorating the room of their dreams. Sim- ply fill the wallpaper steamer with tap water, plug in and steam away. No buckets, brushes, rollers or mixing needed. Compared to chemical wallpaper removal products, wallpaper steamers are faster, safer and more effective on all types of wallpaper, including vinyl, painted wallpaper and multiple layers. Wallpaper steamers require about 20 minutes to warm up each timethe tankis refilled (generally, two tankfuls will do a 10’ x 12’ room). During warm-up time, the user can prepare the walls by using the edge of a scraper or running a special wallpaper “scoring tool” over the wall to create perforations in the paper. This will allow the steam to penetrate the vinyl or multiple layer wallpaper. Scoring tools and scrapers are sold at home improvement, hardware andpaintstores. Once the steamer is warmed up, the steamplate is held over a section of wallpaper for about 15 seconds. When the wallpaper is damp, the user scrapes off the paper with one hand, while the other hand works ahead with the lightweight steamplate to soak A steamer can help homeowners remove wallpaper quickly and easily. the next section of paper—a continual process. Since there is no need to coat the wall with chemical solutions, which can be runny or drippy, the workspace is left clean. Wagner Spray Tech offers its Model 705 Power Steamer for around $49. It comes with an 8” x 11” steamplate and 11’ of hose. When compared to other wallpaper stripping alternatives, the Power Steamer is very economical. If the leading chemical stripper is used to remove wallpaper from a 10’ x 12’ room, the gel and required equipmentwill retail for $28 to $32. If a power steameris rented, the daily rental rate will be $20 to $25 and the unit will, most likely, be heavy and difficult to maneuver. The Wagner Power Steamer provides fast, chemical-free wallpaper removal in a lightweight, portable unit that can be used over and over again. For more information on Wagner Spray Tech’s power steamer products, call 1-800-727-4023 or visit the Web site at www.wagnerspray tech.com.
