What is the easiest and cheapest way to fix a wall with glued paneling and bumps and holes, considering I am 6 months pregnant and tackling the project alone?
Asked by Duško Mišković 
7 months ago
Last Updated: May 7, 2024
What’s the simplest and most budget-friendly way to repair this wall? The previous owner put on paneling with lots of bumps and holes. I can’t patch the holes right now. I’m 6 months pregnant and doing this project solo, so I need something that’s not too physically demanding.
You’ll need to scrape, skim coat, sand, prime, sand, and then paint the walls.
Make sure to prime the spots where the drywall paper has delaminated before skim coating them. We learned this lesson the hard way back in the 80s when we were taking down paneling.
Thank you for sharing that information! Learning should always be ongoing and never restricted.
Quick tip: try using quick mud mixed with Elmer’s glue as a skim coat first. This will help hide any ripped drywall paper easily.
Consider ripping it out and beginning anew.
Simplest and most affordable method
That’s exactly what I was thinking, .
Scrape and sand loose drywall paper then apply 2 coats of Zinsser primer. Apply 2 skim coats of Plus3 mud. Sand, prime, and paint
Attach the new paneling with glue.
Here.
Just be sure to remove the old paneling before proceeding
1/4 inch Drywall
I wouldn’t recommend it, you’ll have problems in the future. It’s best to do it correctly
Could you go into detail about the problems with Sheetrock over an old wall? This is the correct approach, sir!
Just to clarify, there is drywall, paneling, and then another layer of drywall. This setup can lead to moisture being trapped and mold problems in the future.
Hey, , now that the paneling is removed, where do you think the water will end up coming from?
Hey, , even if you remove the paneling, moisture can still become trapped. It’s important to do things properly and not cut corners.
Come on , let it go. I know I’m right. No need to act foolish!
Hey , you couldn’t be more wrong, that’s just a temporary solution from a negligent landlord
Silly comment
Hey Mannie! I see your point, but considering she’s pregnant and needs something simple, I would go with the 1/4″ sheetrock like Tim suggested. I wouldn’t even bother nailing it down since the surface isn’t even from the old adhesive. Just use a lot of construction adhesive so you only have to worry about taping and mudding the seams and corners. I think it’ll do the trick!
Hey Mannie, please stop commenting. You don’t really know what you’re talking about.
Hey there! So, it’s actually an interior wall, not a bathroom. I’m wondering, how does moisture manage to seep between the old bumpy drywall and the new drywall that’s snugly pressed against it? I understand this might be a bit challenging for someone who’s 6 months pregnant, but the problem you’re describing seems a bit unlikely.
A less physically demanding option would involve using glue to attach paneling
She’d have to remove the old paneling first.
Oh, gotcha. But based on the picture, it looks like she already did.
I just realized that, haha
2 drywall panels and a couple of days
She mentioned that the easiest and most affordable option is…
You could probably get 2 sheets of drywall and a pack of screws for around $50. It might only cost a few more dollars to get it ready for painting.
Did you remember to tear out the tape?
Lol, , you forgot to finish with the tape.
If you take out the tape, said it’s free.
Hey Craig! The easiest option would be the one that requires the least amount of work. Plus, if she’s not experienced in finishing drywall, this method won’t work.
Hey Craig! If you can find someone who is good at finishing drywall and doesn’t mind tearing out, hanging, and finishing well, then go for it. I think that’s the best plan.
Hey Mannie! Sorry, I just saw your situation. Maybe ask a friend to help out?
Not my situation or my friend, just outlining all the pros and cons for her so she can decide what’s best for her needs
Makes sense.
But honestly, the most practical choice is to remove it completely. Unless you want to reapply 2 pieces of paneling. Dealing with the glue by sanding and scraping is more trouble than it’s worth. Besides, you’d still need to repair and smooth out the wall with drywall mud. So if you’re going to do all that, why not start fresh?
Skimming would definitely be much easier for someone who doesn’t have experience. I get your point. Exploring all options and different viewpoints will help her choose what’s best for her.
It’s always the guys who hear “new drywall” and ignore the fact that she’s 6 months pregnant, doing it on her own, and can’t handle anything too physically demanding…. 🤦🏻♀️
Why not try using wrapping paper? Cover the wall with wrapping paper for now and worry about it later. A friend of mine did this to a section of her wall that her husband hadn’t finished covering or plastering yet. Surprisingly, it turned out to be quite interesting and she managed just fine with it.
Instead of tape, you might want to try using a glue gun. It’s a quick solution for the time being.
Hardboard
You’ve got this! Go for new drywall, you can definitely handle it!
We just need to replace the drywall. It should take about six hours.
Oh man…. Give it a shot solo when you’re 6 months pregnant…. If you don’t have advice to share about her question, it’s best not to say anything.
It’s tough to understand the difficulty when you’re dealing with a 6-month pregnant belly and constant fatigue. What may seem simple is actually quite challenging when you’re well into a pregnancy.
Have you ever tried your hand at sheet rock before? This task might seem easy, but I actually found it more difficult to remove the paneling!!🤣🤣
Let me tell you, I personally found the task of ripping out, putting up, taping, and mudding everything to be quite challenging.
It may take some time, but all you really need is a flat bar and a hammer to easily remove small pieces. Just apply several light coats of 20-minute mud and it’s a piece of cake. It’s not too labor intensive, so let the homeowner decide for themselves! 😂😂
Hopefully someone might have a simpler solution, but we recently removed the paneling from 2/3 of my house. We had to sand off the glue, which did leave imperfections. After that, we had to mud all the areas where the glue was, sand them, mud again, and sand once more… It was quite a tedious process. I definitely recommend wearing a mask, especially if you are pregnant (but really, anyone should). Amazon sells sanders that can attach to bags, resulting in way less dust, making it a worthwhile investment.
Would’ve been better off removing the adhesive beforehand and then sanding
The simplest option is to hang 1/4 inch drywall directly over the existing surface.
Use a firm blade to scrape it off, fill any holes, apply a thin layer of coating, then prime and paint.
It’s not very labor-intensive, but these two ideas shouldn’t be combined.
Totally agree with that 😂😂😂
Have you considered turning it into a piece of art by painting it? 🎨
Na Hallmark haha I was thinking the same thing! Remember that episode of Mr. Bean where he puts a firecracker in an open can of paint, lights it, and then leaves the room? Make sure to close the door on your way out! lol
Adorn it with the skulls of your enemies!
It might actually be easier to just tear out the drywall and start over rather than spending hours scraping and sanding.
This is one of those rare occasions where I’d suggest re-sheeting the wall, but that might be challenging to do alone. Another option is to scrape off all the glue and then skim the entire wall multiple times, which could be more labor-intensive. Unfortunately, there’s no easy or quick solution for a pregnant individual other than seeking help from a friend or family member to get the job done.
Are you feeling creative? The easiest and most affordable option would be to patch the holes, apply a base coat of paint, and then paint a fun mural to cover the glue. Another idea is to enlist a few friends to help remove the wall, put up new drywall, and paint. It may be quicker and simpler than trying to patch everything up and cost about the same. Removing the wall and hanging new drywall is the most challenging part, but the taping and mudding aren’t too difficult. Painting would require more effort. Alternatively, you could consider skin coating the wall, but it’s a skill that you might not want to learn while being six months pregnant. It involves a lot of bending, repetitive motion, and sanding, which may not be ideal. Personally, I don’t enjoy doing it even when not pregnant. Good luck with whatever option you choose!
To be honest, if you’re part of any mom groups or follow Buy Nothing groups, I would suggest asking for help there since you’re expecting. I’ve noticed many people in my groups who are more than willing to assist a neighbor
Head over to JoAnn Fabric and drape it with some fabric. Secure it in place until you can get some assistance to peel it off
Cover up the holes and try using peel and stick wallpaper. There are some really cool designs available.
If I were you, I’d go with shiplap. It’s simple and efficient. You can have it good, fast, or cheap – just pick two.
What’s the reason for not considering patching up the holes?
You should definitely redo it, I promise you’ll do a better job!😂😂
New drywall
Isn’t it typical that a guy would focus on the “new drywall” and overlook the fact that she’s 6 months pregnant, doing it alone, and unable to handle anything too physically demanding? 🤦🏻♀️
Isn’t it typical that a guy would focus on the “new drywall” and overlook the fact that she’s 6 months pregnant, doing it alone, and unable to handle anything too physically demanding? 🤦🏻♀️
Installing new drywall would be much easier than all the scraping, sanding, and skim coating needed to achieve a smooth finish. And you don’t have to hang full sheets at once.
I’ve been working on this area, trying to make it look better, but honestly, I think I should have just torn it out or put thin drywall over it.
Putting up a wall of designed board or paneling on its own might look a bit strange.
It’s common to see people choose to have an accent wall of shiplap or paneling. And hey, let’s be real, it’s not easy to tackle DIY projects when you’re 6 months pregnant!
I totally agree with what you said about replacing the drywall. It definitely seems like a simpler option than refinishing. Plus, a smooth surface would be ideal for any type of overlay installation.
Just my personal view. Using a saw and trim nail gun with an air compressor makes it go by quickly
Well I’ve never birthed a child so I suppose that wouldn’t be a good idea….haha
Removing mirrors can be a pain, but as a remodeling contractor, here’s my method: Use a scraper to remove the glue, score circles around the glue with a utility knife, spray with sealant, skim with mud, sand smooth with a wet sanding sponge, and finish with topping compound and texture.
Attach fabric with pins
Remove all of it, apply a thin layer of joint compound
1/4 inch drywall
How about trying wallpaper?
Ignore the clueless guys who didn’t realize you’re 6 months pregnant and handling everything by yourself.
My suggestion would be to consider faux shiplap wood paneling or authentic shiplap and secure it in place.
You could opt for thin drywall. It’s actually quite lightweight, especially when you only need to stand it up
I’d recommend scraping or sanding down the glue. Then just apply a bit of mud to even it out and let it dry. After that, the possibilities are endless. Replacing the drywall is not really necessary. We encountered a similar situation with a whole wall covered in glue during our last renovation, and it was simple to conceal.
It’s not too time-consuming either. I’m actually 6 months pregnant myself. Take your time with it. Otherwise, the only option left is to cover it up with something else.
(I’m not sure why you ruled out patching holes as a solution. It’s actually quite straightforward to do.)
Just let it be, it looks pretty nice
Consider vertical shiplap or beadboard. Honestly, I would cover it up in a heartbeat
$40 each plus some caulk, extra glue, nails, and paint might get the job done for around $200!
Have you considered using textured peel and stick wallpaper? It’s easy to remove later and repair if needed.
Paneling with the ship lap style
You can easily attach 1/4 inch drywall or FRP panel to it with no problem
It really frustrates me when people purposely do a poor job, knowing that someone else will have to deal with fixing it later on!
Easier solution: paint over it and move on.
Best solution: Tear out the drywall, install new drywall, mud, and paint.