How to Protect your Walls - Continued

Wallpaper will fade over time but should still outlast most paint jobs.  In sunny rooms, move artwork or mirrors so that the paper will fade evenly.  Be careful when moving furniture so that you do not scratch or dent your wallpaper.  Leave space between items and the wall when you finally position them.  Make sure you hold on to the spare wallpaper in case you need to repair or replace a certain area.

If you are going to be putting up new wallpaper, choose a medium weight.  Heavy paper tears easily under it’s own weight, especially when installed in rooms with high ceilings.  Lightweight paper tears easily in general.  If you are buying for long- term, consider buying paper with a light pattern, it will show less dirt and wear than solid papers.  You may want to consider vinyl or coated paper for bathrooms or utility rooms where moisture may be a problem. 

An easy way to prolong the life of your shower walls is to wipe them down after every use or two.  This prevents soap from building up on the surface and discourages mildew.  To clean your shower curtain or sliding door, wipe it down with a sponge dampened with white vinegar.  Make sure you seal your grout with a clear silicone.  It will add luster to the finish and it will seal the grout’s pores against bleach.  Bleach kills mildew, however, it eats into porous materials like grout and causes them to deteriorate.  If you are going to re grout, consider using a silicone based grout additive that contains mildewcide.  The grout will last longer and you will have less cleanup work. 

If you want to use drywall or plywood in a high moisture area in your house then you need to specify you want water resistant plywood and special water resistant drywall.  In both cases, the sheets are heavier and more expensive than standard sheets, but they will save time and money down the road.  For areas that are subjected to constant moisture, such as a tub surround or shower, use concrete backboard.