How to remove wallpaper
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Buying a “renovator’s delight” property could mean you may have some very unattractive wallpaper on the walls, and if you’re really lucky you may find two layers of wallpaper on the one wall!
Don’t let this turn you off because removing wallpaper in most cases is a fairly simple process, although it can be rather messy. Also, look at the value it will add to the property. Does that get you excited?
- As the underlying wall surface could be plasterboard (plaster sheets between paper), or not properly unsealed (eg horsehair plasterboard), you need to take care not to damage these surfaces when removing wallpaper.
- First have a look at the wallpaper and see if there are any corners peeling off. If so, try peeling it back and you may find all layers of wallpaper come off easily in which case, keep peeling and you’re on you’re way.
- Sometimes only the top layer of wallpaper will peel off (I’ve had this happen many times) and if this happens keep reading for the next step.
- Have a look at the wallpaper to determine whether the surface is porous or non-porous. Metallic, velvet like finishes tend to be non porous and water won’t absorb. If you’re not sure if it’s porous or not, carry out the following test.
- Make sure you have your floor covered with a heavy duty drop sheet. The process is damp and messy so be prepared. You can use plastic drop sheets but we find them quite flimsy and slippery. A thick and sturdy drop sheet is worth paying that bit extra for as it provides better protection for the floor and it will last you for years.
- Mix some warm water with fabric softener (this helps to soften the wallpaper) and use a paint brush or sponge to cover a small portion of the wall. Don’t use too much water as you don’t want to damage the underlying wall. Then, use your paint scraper (being careful to keep the edge straight to avoid damaging the underlying wall), try to scrape some wallpaper off. If you’re surface is porous the water will soak in, if non-porous, the water will run straight off.
- If the wallpaper comes off easily you can continue to damp down small portions of the wall and keep scraping till you’re done.
- If the surface is non-porous the water will run straight off. This means you’ll have to roughen the wallpaper surface to allow the water to penetrate. The easiest way which avoids damage to the underlying wall is to use a sanding block with coarse sandpaper and sand the wallpaper surface. Then, sponge/paint a small portion of the surface and try scraping as above.
- Now, if you’ve found the wallpaper is difficult to scrape off and you’re worried about damaging the underlying wall, next step is to hire a wallpaper steamer (available from your local hardware store or hire shop and are quite inexpensive). It’s basically a container that you fill with water which heats up, runs through a hose connected to a metal plate that you place on the wall. Work on the basis of needing the wallpaper steamer for a longer period rather than a shorter period as the wallpaper removal process can take some time.
- Follow the instructions for setting up the wallpaper steamer and start steaming – this will soften the wallpaper and allow you to gently scrape it off. Again, be gentle so as not to damage the underlying wall. You’ll find that some of the steam softens the area around the plate on the steamer. Just keep placing the steamer plate on the wall and then scrape the softened wallpaper off. It’s a good idea to wear rubber gloves to protect yourself from the steam and always use a ladder to reach places you can’t reach otherwise some hot water may fall on you.
- It’s also a good idea to remove a section of wallpaper then clean up otherwise you’ll end up with a huge mess that you’re walking on.
- Once you’ve finished removing the wallpaper, you’ll need to determine how to prepare the underlying wall for repainting depending on the type of surface.
- For plasterboard walls, wash down lightly with a solution of sugar soap and water, let dry then sand (you don’t have to be too fussy with the sanding) with some light sandpaper. Give a quick brush down to clear the dust and you’re set to prime.
- For unsealed surfaces like horsehair plasterboard, wash with sugar soap and hessian, then you will need special primer like sealer binder to prepare the surface.
PS: Budget version is to use sponge, it will cost you time. If time is premium, use a streamer.
If you’ve had any good or bad wallpaper removal stories, we’d love to hear from you!
