We moved into a new house about a year ago and the living room walls are textured with sand. Whomever did the work was obviously not a professional none of the sand is even there are spots covered in it and some with hardly any at all. I want to repaint it but if I paint over the walls you'll still see all the sand so therefore I am going to have to get rid of the sand first. I want to do the simplest and cheapest way possible. I thought about just using an electric sander but wasn't sure if it would even work. If you have any info on how I should go about this it is greatly appreciated. I am so sick of looking at dirty walls because I can't clean them. I am ready to have a living room I love to come home to!

I would take a 6 inch or so metal putty knife/scraper and run it across all the walls with medium pressure to get the bigger chunks and grits off... Then take the electric sander and give them a buzz... Should be fine.

Thank you for your help! I will give it a shot!! :)

You could tape plastic drop cloths on the floor and doors and use an orange peel areosol spray. I did my dining room and was really satisfied with it. You will have to use a tinted water-based primer on the walls before painting though even if you sand the walls.

Electric sander? Let's consider the dust on that and user know how. If you use one, use a circular small hand sander and light grit. OR just use a sheetrock sander by hand and go over with circular motions. Wear a mask.

Now, prime everything before painting.