Prime wallpaper then texture?

[Account Closed]

Hi BP, I have a handyman coming tomorrow, and I have to decide whether I want him to strip all the drywall in the upstairs of the house off and us re drywall everything which involves taping, 2 coats of mud, sanding then texture and a little more sanding, ooorrr... does anyone know if I can prime the wallpaper then texture over it. In the past I have had difficulty trying to go over wallpaper with mud (joint compound), because it gets the wall paper wet, then the wall paper comes lose and bubbles, then I’m left with bubbles that I try to smooth over, but my second coat of mud gets the wall paper moist again and it bubbles more in other areas etc.

My technical remodel question is: is there a positive solution to going over wall paper? I imagine if I eggshell or satin sheen over it, it might seal the wall paper and keep it from the moisture of the drywall mud. This would save me tons of time if I can just prime the walls instead of tear it down, rehang, tape, mud finish etc. If there’s a way to get to drywall smooth texture over wallpaper stuck to drywall or plaster, please let me know your ideas. This would save a lot of people some time if we can get this one figured out.

[Sylvia B.]

Originally posted by @Matt M.:

16 years as remodeling contractor, and wallpaper is one of my biggest headaches to deal with.

 The only good wallpaper is that which is lying curled and rumpled on the floor . . .