Plastering a wallpaper is an easy fix to transform your room. Wallpapers can bring a fresher look and make your room feel spacious. However, overtime wallpapers get old and can get torn away at different locations. You might also want to add a new fresh color to your room but cannot paint over the wallpaper. You will need to get rid of the old wallpaper first.
Removing wallpaper is easier than it sounds. If you know the type of wallpaper you have, you can easily remove it yourself. Consider it a simple DIY project. Follow the below-mentioned tips and tricks for wallpaper removal.
What Wallpaper Do I Have?
- First of all, figure out the type of wallpaper you have. Modern “strippable” wallpapers can be easily peeled off without extra effort. Uncoated wallpapers need water and steam. If you have a vinyl-coated wallpaper, then you should consider hiring a professional.
This type is meant to be washable. It is made of a water-resistant compound hence the water and steam can’t penetrate through. Don’t remove it yourself as you would end up damaging your wall.
Before You Start
- It is easier to remove wallpaper from a plaster wall, wood, gypsum and metal compared to a drywall. Wallpaper tends to glue strongly to the drywall. It is nearly impossible to remove it yourself. You will run the risk of damaging your walls permanently.
What Do You Need
By now you have figured out the type of wallpaper and the nature of the walls. So let’s get down to the item checklist for this project:
- Dry Cloth
- Plastic Sheet
- Sponge
- Soap
- Bowl/Dish
- Warm Water
- Garden Spray Bottle/Steamer
- Scrapper/Putty Knife
Lets Get Started
- To minimize the risk of electrocution, turn off the power supply for the room. You can also remove the circuit breakers. Move the furniture away from the walls and cover them with a cloth. Water, steam, and soap can damage your floorboards, so cover them with a plastic sheet.
It is better to work in a well aired and lighted room, so open the windows. If you are allergic to dust, you should consider wearing a simple mask.
Scraping and Peeling
- Look for the edge and start peeling off your wallpaper. Use the scrapper to guide you and peel off as much as you can. A strippable wallpaper does not require water. If you have an uncoated wallpaper, consider the next step before peeling.
Make It Wet
- Use the spray bottle to spray warm water on the wallpaper. You should spray profusely. There’s no such thing as too wet. Make sure you leave the wallpaper wet for at least 20 mins before proceeding to scrape it off. A steamer will save you time as you can almost immediately start peeling it off. Hold the steamer for about 20 seconds on the wallpaper.
Don’t Be Afraid of a Little Mess
- It’s going to get very messy. There will be water dripping and peeled off wallpaper everywhere. Make sure you have peeled it off completely. Take a step back and look at your wall. Do you notice any leftovers? If so, then use the spray bottle and spray it with warm water. Now gently peel it off using the putty knife or scraper. Make sure you don’t damage the wall.
Finishing It Up
- You’ve successfully removed your old wallpaper. However, the work is not over yet. Take some warm water in a bowl and add a little soap. Now soak the sponge in the bowl. Use the sponge to wash your wall. This will make sure your wall is free from all kinds of adhesive. Finally, soak the sponge in clean water and use it to clean the walls.
Hiring a Professional?
If you are unsure of the type of wallpaper and composition of the wall, consider hiring a professional agency such as Encore Painting. They provide wallpaper removal services at affordable rates in McKinney, Texas