Removing Wallpaper

Wallpapers are undoubtedly one of the most sought-after materials for wall decorations. Nowadays, there are many different types of wallpapers available in the market. You can choose the appropriate ones as per the requirement and the local weather. While, most of the new types are removable wallpapers that can be stripped off easily and is also claimed to be reusable. However, this is not the case with the older types that may make things difficult for you, once you start removing them. A basic know how about the right methods of wallpaper removal will be of great help, while doing that task. Read on for more information about removing wallpaper.

How to Remove Wallpaper?

One of the advantages of using wallpapers for interior decoration is that it is long-lasting as compared to paint. But, even wallpapers may get faded or damaged with time and this requires its removal. Removing wallpaper is often viewed as a difficult task, as it requires lots of efforts to scrape off the whole thing. But, it can be done with much ease, if you know the right methods. Here are some tips and guidelines regarding how to remove wallpaper easily.

• If your wallpaper is a removable one (very uncommon in older types), then, try to lift a corner and peel the wallpaper. If it comes off easily, well and good.
• Sometimes, it may happen that only the superficial layer gets peeled off, leaving the deeper layers as well as the glue on the wall itself. In such cases, you have to moisten the wallpaper, before removing them. This applies to all types of wallpaper that are not easily removable.
• Before starting with the task of removing wallpaper, you have to remove all the outlet covers and switch plates on the wall and cut off the power to the room. It will be better to use drop cloth, so that the loosened wallpapers do not spoil the floors.
• If the wallpaper is applied on a drywall, wetting the wall as well as scraping (of wallpaper) must be done carefully, so as to avoid damage to the wall. If the surface layer has been peeled off, then, dampen the remaining wallpaper with hot water or wallpaper remover solvent. Now, you can easily scrape off the wallpaper as well as the glue.
• If the wallpaper has a surface coating that is non porous (like, vinyl), then scrape of this layer (with a knife or paper tiger tool) and then apply the solvent, so that removing wallpaper can be made easy. You can also remove the borders of the wallpaper with this method.
• Even a solution made of laundry detergent (fabric softener) and hot water is found to be effective as a replacement for solvent. It is said that removing wallpaper with fabric softener (added to hot water) is one of the easy methods to accomplish this task. Vinegar, rubbing alcohol, etc. are also used for this purpose.
• If this method of soaking the wallpaper and scraping it, fails, you may go for a wallpaper removal steamer. It is a device that emits steam into the wallpaper, thereby softening it. Once softened, wallpaper can be easily scraped off. However, removing wallpaper from a drywall, using this steamer, has to be done carefully, so as to avoid damage to the structure. Another important factor is to exercise caution to prevent burns from hot water or steam from the device.

Now, you have a basic understanding about how to remove wallpaper. Once the wallpaper is removed, you must clean the walls with hot water mixed with a small amount of detergent. The above said methods are some of the commonly adopted methods for removing wallpaper. If you find it difficult to do it for yourself, you may also hire professional for this task.