ud83dudcda Living Room Renovation Series u2014 3 of 20
u2190 Living Room Renovation Vol.2: Switch & Fixture Removal u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Living Room Renovation Vol.4: Floor Protection u2192
Hi there u2014 DIY Dad here! Continuing the first-floor living room renovation. With the outlet covers removed in the previous step, it’s time to take out the intercom. Tools used: impact driver and screwdriver.
The original intercom was a basic audio-only doorbell unit u2014 no video, no frills. We had no use for it, so it was going straight to the bin. The wiring, however, would be reused for the new unit, so I was careful not to damage it.
Disconnecting the wiring from the back of the indoor unit. I photographed everything before touching it u2014 a record of which wire went where.
The wall-mounting bracket for the indoor unit.
The outdoor unit removed from the wall.
The indoor unit removed.
The back side of the outdoor unit.
2026 Update u2014 The Big Picture of the Living Room Renovation
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The living room was by far the most involved part of the whole renovation u2014 wallpaper removal, substrate prep, roof leak repair, ceiling reinforcement… Honestly, there were moments where I thought: how can there possibly be this much to do?
Start by Removing Everything Attached to the Walls
The first rule of any wallpaper replacement job is to strip everything off the walls before you start u2014 switch and outlet covers, light fixtures, curtain rails, all of it. Skipping this step guarantees a messy finish around every fitting.
Removing Outlet Covers u2014 What to Watch For
Turn off the breaker first. Then unscrew the plate u2014 don’t touch the wires. Older buildings may have a ground wire attached; that just screws off its terminal. For intercom wiring you plan to reuse: photograph every connection before you disconnect anything. DIY Dad does this every single time.
Floor Protection u2014 More Is More
Lay masking film across the entire floor before starting wallpaper work. No gaps. If putty or adhesive drops, it peels straight off. Skip protection and you may spend an hour chiseling hardened compound off the floor later.
Tips for Stripping Wallpaper
Work a scraper blade in parallel to the wall surface slowly u2014 forcing it tears the drywall face away. Dampen stubborn sections lightly, but not so much that the gypsum board absorbs the water and weakens.
Wall Substrate Prep (Puttying) Makes or Breaks the Finish
Fill screw holes and seams with joint compound after stripping. Apply mesh tape over holes, skim compound over the tape, dry, and sand smooth. Nine times out of ten a poor finish traces back to skipped substrate prep.
Originally published: November 9, 2016 (old Seesaa blog) | Rewritten: May 7, 2026
ud83dudcda Living Room Renovation Series u2014 3 of 20
u2190 Living Room Renovation Vol.2: Switch & Fixture Removal u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Living Room Renovation Vol.4: Floor Protection u2192
DIY Renovation Quote Review Manual
How to read, compare, and negotiate contractor quotes. This manual saved me u00a5800,000 on a single renovation project.
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15 years of landlord experience u00b7 3 apartment buildings u00b7 DIY renovations that saved millions of yen. Browse all articles at diytosan.com
