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How To Properly Remove Wallpaper

Michael is one of our professional decorators and in this article, he provides some guidance on how to remove wallpaper yourself.
He will explain you step-by-step how to remove wallpaper effectively and in a safe way. 

Michael

Michael

Professional painter based in Manchester

Wallpaper removal: advice from a professional decorator

When you are planning to apply new wallpaper onto your walls, you should always remove the old wallpaper.
Sometimes the current wallpaper still looks great and you just want to change the look and feel of the room. It is tempting to apply the new wallpaper directly over the current one, but please do not make this mistake.

When you apply the new wallpaper directly over the current wallpaper you will risk that random bubbles will appear. It is very hard to get rid of them, so do yourself a favour and always remove the current wallpaper.

I know that removing wallpaper can be a bit of a tedious job, but with the right tools and this advice, you will get the job done in no time! 

Start with the preparation

First of all, you need to identify the type of wall you are dealing with. 
If you have a concrete wall you can apply almost any technique and you do not have to be that careful. Unlike drywall, a concrete wall is pretty hard to damage so you can apply a little more pressure to your putty knife.

When dealing with drywall, it’s recommended to NOT use a steamer. Drywall soaks up the steam and this can lead to issues in the future (e.g. mold).

With drywall, it’s best to use a scoring tool or the blade of your putty knife to carefully pinch little holes in the wallpaper. This will allow the water to penetrate the wallpaper and makes it easier to remove.

The good thing about stripping drywalls is that wallpaper tends to come off pretty easily.
All you need is a sponge, a bucket with hot water mixed with some wallpaper stripper concentrate, and a putty knife. You will be able to get that wall free of wallpaper without too much effort. 

remove wallpaper with a steam stripper

Safety First - Turn off the electricity!

Before you start, please make sure that you switch off the electricity. When working on any walls that have plugs, sockets, or light switches it is absolutely necessary.

You will be applying water onto those walls and water and electricity are a dangerous combination. So whenever you have decided to do this job yourself instead of hiring a professional painter, let’s make sure you do it safely.

Once you have switched off the electricity, remove all the sockets, blanking plates, and switches on the wall. You can place them back on the wall once the new wallpaper has been applied. You do this by simply making a little cut in the wallpaper that allows you to screw everything back in its place.

Let's remove that old wallpaper

Now let’s get started!
In order to start removing wallpaper you will need the following items;

  • Putty Knife
  • Stripping Knife
  • Sponge & Bucket
  • Chemical Wallpaper Sripper
  • Electric Wallpaper Stripper (optional)
  • Block Brush
  • Paste Brush
  • Hanging Scissors
  • Voltage Tester (optional)
  • Sanding Paper

The first step you would need to take is to score or pinch little holes in the wallpaper. This will allow steam or water to get behind the wallpaper which will make it easier to remove. You can use a scoring tool, carefully use the blade of your putty knife, or if you are dealing with a concrete wall use a Stanley knife or any kind of snap-off knife to make some cuts.

HIRE A PAINTER TO DO THE WORK

Now that you have done this you can start with stripping the wallpaper. The fastest and most efficient way to remove wallpaper is by steaming it off using an electric wallpaper stripper. Your local DIY store sells these but sometimes you will also have the option to rent one. 
Since it is highly likely that you won’t be using a steam stripper very often, you are better off renting one and saving yourself a few quid. 

Whether you are going to use a steam stripper or a chemical stripper. Removing wallpaper can get wet and messy. Make sure you cover the floor to protect it from staining
Michael
Michael Professional Painter

Fill the electric wallpaper stripper with water and wait until it reaches the desired temperature. Place the stripper directly onto the wallpaper and hold it there for 30 seconds. Then use your putty knife to remove the wallpaper and repeat this practice until the wall is almost completely free of wallpaper.
Once the majority of the old wallpaper has been removed, it is time to take care of the pieces of wallpaper that didn’t come off with the steamer.

To remove these stubborn pieces of wallpaper, simply use a wet sponge and your putty knife. If you find very thin layers stuck to the wall, it is better to wait until the wall is dry and then sand it away with low-grid sandpaper. This way you avoid damaging your wall.

 

The next thing you need to do is make sure the wall is completely smooth before we can apply the new wallpaper. Clean any holes and cracks in the wall and use a plaster filler to repair them. Make sure that you use the right filler for indoor or external use.  

 

Now that you have a clean and smooth wall you can start the preparation for applying the new wallpaper.
How to apply wallpaper like a professional I explain in my next post.

Find A Qualified Painter Near You

Not sure if you want to strip wallpaper yourself? Or you lack tome to be stripping wallpaper?

Why not get a professional painter or decorator to do it for you?
A professional will tell you how long it will take them to remove the wallpaper, apply the new wallpaper, and tell you how much it will cost you.

By having a painter remove the wallpaper, you can be assured that the job will be done by a professional who has both the knowledge and correct tools.  

Request a FREE quote TODAY!

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