How to Remove Wallpaper
Before beginning to prepare the walls, take the time to remove any faceplates or light fixtures. Take care to preserve the hardware to reinstall these items after you have hung your new wallpaper. Label the things that you remove with their appropriate location in the room to jog your memory for reinstallation.
If your walls already have wallpaper on them, you must remove it. Some people try to apply new wallpaper over old wallpaper, but this technique shortens the lifespan of the new wallpaper. Take the time to carefully remove the old wallpaper. Some wallpaper with weak adhesive may be able to be carefully stripped off by pulling at a corner or other seam.
If the wallpaper is not easily removed, you should rent a steamer. Steaming wallpaper is the same conceptually as steaming open a letter with an iron or teakettle. You will need a lot of steam, but the wallpaper should easily scrape off once it has been prepared. A steamer can be rented at most home improvement stores. Be sure to follow any safety precautions recommended by the company while using the steamer.
Some people use very hot water in a spray bottle in place of a steamer. This technique is often more messy than effective, and can over moisten the material beneath the wallpaper. For this reason, this method of removing wallpaper is not recommended.
It is best when removing wallpaper to work methodically around the room. Lightly sand the wallpaper or score it with a utility knife. This will help the steam permeate the wallpaper. When you begin steaming, work in small sections, waiting a few minutes for the steam to loosen the wallpaper. Then use a broad knife to scrape it off.
If the wallpaper is not easily removed, you must use more steam to remove it. Using unnecessary force with a broad knife to remove the wallpaper often just achieves unsightly gouges.
Once all the wallpaper has been removed, evaluate the surface underneath and make any repairs. The surface underneath should be smooth and clean. If it is not, use spackling compound and a putty knife to fill in any holes or gouges. Also clean the surface as thoroughly as possible. Then paint it with a flat oil based primer/sealer.
Sometimes you want to apply wallpaper over a painted wall that is in good condition. Be sure to fill in and sand any small nail holes before beginning. If the paint applied to the wall is oil based, you can apply the wallpaper after you clean the wall. If the paint is latex, or the type of paint is unknown, you must use a flat oil based primer/sealer before applying wallpaper.
If you are applying over drywall, as is often the case in new construction, you must tape and finish the walls just as you would if you were preparing to paint them. After the walls have been finished, apply a flat oil based primer/sealer.
Once considered old fashioned, new computer generated wallpapers are rejuvenating the industry. The current trend in interior design is to only apply a single strip or wall of wallpaper, while painting the other walls a complementary color. If this look is the look you wish to achieve, use oil based paint to paint the room. Then you should be able to easily apply wallpaper wherever you wish.
Removing wallpaper can be a messy, time consuming job. If you have the time, this home improvement project can most likely be completed by the average homeowner. If, however, you are short on time or patience, call a contractor who can remove the wallpaper so you can enjoy your weekend.
