Most interior decorators and home improvement professionals will agree that removing old wallpaper is the most viable option to remodel a room instantly, rather than painting over it. Removing wallpaper is not a tough job; it's just time-consuming and back-breaking. The right wallpaper removal tools and techniques can significantly reduce the effort you should exert, even for the most stubborn wallpaper.
Figure out what type of wallpaper you're working on - removable, strippable, waterproof, or vinyl wallpaper – as the time it takes to remove may depend on it.
For example, in some instances, a strippable wallpaper can be easily removed by using a putty knife, and without water or chemicals. And simply peel it away at a corner or under a switch plate. You may go to this link to learn more.
You might often encounter vinyl-coated wallpaper (wallpaper backing), paper with a waterproof top layer, or professionally installed one that won't peel from the wall with a simple tear because of the wallpaper adhesive used. In cases like this, scoring the paper first is necessary before proceeding with the scraping process.
Some things within the room might get wet and sticky. So, before starting, remove all wall decorations, picture frames, and any furniture blocking your entire wall. Likewise, if you have big lamps extruding in the wall, you'll need to remove those. Unscrew the light switch and electrical outlet covers, and turn off the electricity supply to the room you are working in.
With wide painter's tape, tape plastic along the baseboard. It will prevent shreds of dropped wallpaper from coming into contact with your baseboards, saving the carving from damage and you from needing to take off the paper once more.
Water and detergent solutions can stain floors. Protect your floor with absorbent rags or drop cloth. The tape along the baseboard will also keep water or solvent from dripping onto the floor and chair rails.
Scoring means poking tiny holes in the paper so that your solvent can seep beneath to fulfill its function - to reach and soak the paste underneath.
The quickest, most straightforward way to do this needs one handy instrument – a wallpaper scoring tool that you can buy in your home improvement store. This tool's tiny teeth create several cuts into your drywall and plaster walls. It will expedite the time to remove challenging wallpapers, such as wallpaper glue and old or painted-over wallpapers.
However, a fork can also do the trick. Just ensure you utilize a fork that's ok to discard afterward.
Hold the wallpaper remover scoring tool against the wall surface. Using light pressure, roll the tool from corner to corner and floor to ceiling in a circular motion, allowing the wallpaper stripper to puncture.
If not used correctly, you might damage the teeth of the instrument and increase the risk of wall damage.
If you're using a fork, run that fork all over the surface of the wallpaper, scraping to produce as many dents as possible to lead the solvent off. The more holes you create, the better the stripper will access. But abstain from working strenuously.
Weaken the glue by mixing equal parts of fabric softener and hot water in a spray bottle. The mixture is the key to efficiently removing the paper. You may also use a solution of one part distilled white vinegar with two parts hot water.
Thoroughly saturate one section of the wall, starting at the top left and working your way down. Be sure to wear eye protection. And wait 10 to 15 minutes to penetrate the paper completely. Some walls have several layers of wallpaper, so be patient.
Note: You should work in a section of 4' at most, as this will help guarantee that the wallpaper remover solution does not dry out before you can scrape the paper and paste away. Moreover, drywall has a paper surface and saturating it longer than 15 minutes can cause permanent damage.
Once the stripping liquid has completed its work and the glue loosens up, you must be able to remove the wallpaper effortlessly with a scraping tool or putty knife. Once it lifts, continue using your fingers to skin the paper from the wall.
Continue spraying the hot fabric softener-and-water solution onto the wall, if necessary, to further soften the stubborn paste underneath it.
Wallpaper removal is a long process yet an easy job. And now that we've explained how to score your wallpaper, you must be optimistic in proceeding with your wallpaper removal project.
Don't Worry! Apex Wallpaper has got you covered whether you need to score or simply scrape your wallpaper.
Regardless of the type of wallpaper project you are embarking on, we will complete the job flawlessly on the first attempt. Call us now if you need help removing wallpaper efficiently, and/or installing a new one. We'll be happy to assist!