Ways To Remove Your Old Wallpaper
As the manager of Handyman Connection based in Birmingham
, Alabama, Billy Gafford is an experienced craftsman with expertise in all areas of home improvement. Here, he outlines a few ways to strip stubborn wallpaper from your home walls.
Removing wallpaper is one of the most frustrating experiences for home painters. Since its such a tiresome chore, many painters will charge significantly more if wallpaper removal is included in a paint job. As such, a lot of homeowners opt to strip wallpaper themselves. However, stripping that old wallpaper can prove more challenging than it looks. So many people become frustrated with the chore and simply give up midway through the job. Even worse, many home wallpaper removal jobs end with damaged walls.
Ive had years of experience stripping wallpaper and have come across a few techniques to ease the process and keep your walls safe, which I will now share with you:
Using Liquid Wallpaper Removers
Though some wallpaper is easily stripped dry, most warrants a solution to dissolve glues and adhesives. You can buy a concentrated wallpaper stripping solution from the store, and then dilute it with water. You can also use a solution of water and vinegar to soften the paper. Its important that you use a drop cloth on your floors when using liquid wallpaper removers, as they can stain floors and damage carpets.
To apply the liquid paper remover, first score the walls using a razor blade or utility knife. You can buy special knives made specifically for this purpose, but I find a regular razor blade works fine. Make slits 8 to 10 inches apart all along the wall. Next, apply the liquid paper remover to the slits using a sponge or spray bottle. If youre spraying chemical solvents, wear a mask to avoid breathing in the fumes. Spray each slit and then wait, allowing the solution to soak in and permeate the walls. Repeat the process a few times, wetting the slits again from top to bottom. Use a wide scraper with a flexible blade and start scraping from the horizontal edge of the slits. Hold the scraper from the bottom and push upward. If you do it right, the paper above will crinkle and tear away easily from one slit to the next. Remember though, if your walls are made of drywall, you should not use this soaking method, as it will damage the walls. Just make the slits and peel away the paper.
Using Steamers
A steamer is comprised of a water tank that is heated electronically, a hose and a wide plate that heats up. You can rent a steamer from hardware stores or rental centers, and dont need to buy an expensive piece of equipment. To use the steamer, press the heated plate against the wall and wait until the spot begins to soak up the moisture. Start from the top of a wall and work your way down. Typically, you will need to steam the same areas several times before they tear away easily. Once the steaming has been done, you should be able to strip the wallpaper with your hands or a scraper. This is one way a lot of professional painters opt to strip wallpaper.
Checking If You Have Strippable Wallpaper
Some wallpaper is manufactured with later stripping in mind. This kind of wallpaper is generally smooth in texture with an almost vinyl-like appearance. You can figure out if your wallpaper is strippable by trying stripping it. Take a utility knife and peel a top corner away where it wont be too noticeable. Then pull the paper downward and always attempt to keep it as close to the wall as you can. Pulling away from the wall will result in tearing the paper. If youre dealing with strippable wallpaper, it should come off fairly easily. If you think you have strippable wallpaper, its certainly worth the check before you go wasting time with solutions and steamers.
Some people simply paper over their old wallpaper without removing it, which comes with its share of risks. Sometimes, the old wallpaper will begin to peel taking the new paper with it. For my money, Id rather get the stripping over with and ensure that doesnt happen. With these techniques and a little elbow grease, your wallpaper should come off in no time.
Billy Gafford is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a
handyman or more
handyman articles at Yodle Consumer Guide.
by: Billy Gafford
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