A Step-by-Step Guide on Removing Wallpaper

As much as you wanted to love it, you’ve realized that you hate your wallpaper. Maybe you want to repaint your room or simply get a different type of wallpaper. No matter what you decide, the first thing you’ll have to do is remove your wallpaper. Although it’s certainly a tough and messy job, it doesn’t have to be completely terrible! Read on for a step-by-step guide to removing wallpaper and making sure you end up with a clean slate.

Get Your Room Ready

Take everything from vents to outlet covers to switch plates off the walls. Make sure you cover every opening with plastic and tape. Then, turn off the electricity in the room and remove as much furniture as possible. You can use lamps with extension cords to light your work area.

Protect the Floor and Woodwork

Removing wallpaper is a messy project, which is why you need to carefully protect the floor, furniture, and woodwork. You can do that by taping plastic to the baseboard and topping it with more plastic and towels to absorb water as it runs down the walls. Press hard on the tape to create a watertight seal.

Remove the Facing

Start removing the top layer of paper and leave the backing on the wall. Choose a corner near the ceiling or under a switch plate where the paper tends to be loose. You can use a putty knife to get the edge of the paper, slowly pulling while applying moderate pressure.

Soak Backing to Soften the Paste

Using a sponge, apply hot water to the wallpaper backing and the remaining facing to soften them. While plaster walls can handle a lot of hot water without issue, drywall can be easily damaged with prolonged contact. That’s why you need to work in small sections. Let the backing absorb the water for about 15 minutes before pulling it away from the wall.

Scrape Off the Backing

Once the backing is soft, use an old metal spatula or putty knife with rounded corners to scrape the backing and any remaining facing off the wall. Avoid being aggressive as you may accidentally gouge the drywall.

Use Gel Stripper on Stubborn Paste

When the backing is gone, you’ll notice a lot of paste on the wall. Scrape off as much as you can with the putty knife. Thoroughly wash the walls with a sponge and water. For any stubborn paste, use a gel stripper to get rid of it. Let it sit for about 20 minutes then rinse with water until your wall is smooth and clean.  

Repair, Sand, and Prime the Walls Smooth

After your wall has dried, you can prep it for paint or new wallpaper. Patch any large gouges or holes with joint compound. Then, sand the wall until it’s smooth. Whether you choose to paint or put up new wallpaper, make sure you use the right primer for the job.

Ultimately, removing wallpaper is a delicate multi-step process that should be completed by a professional team. They have the tools, knowledge, and experience necessary to finish this project in a timely manner!

About Platinum Painting

At Platinum Painting, we want homeowners to live in a space they absolutely adore. If you’re tired of living in a home with outdated wallpaper, let us remove it for you! We’ll gladly do all the hard work and give your walls a fresh start. Our team will even paint your walls to make your interior design visions come to life. For a free estimate, visit our website or call (817) 380-4404.