3 Steps to Remove Wallpaper Quickly and Easily

Removing the wallpaper from a room can seem a bit overwhelming. Luckily, you can make the process quick and easy by following the right steps. Today, Handyman Connection® of Matthews explains what you need to know:

Protect the Room

You will first need to carefully protect the room’s woodwork, floor and furniture. In addition, you should remove everything from the walls, including vents, switch plates and outlet covers. Mask the exposed openings using plastic and tape. Next, turn off the electricity to the room and light the area using work lamps. Take out the furniture from the room and then use towels or sturdy plastic sheets to protect the floors.

Remove the Wallpaper

Many wallpapers are designed to be strippable, allowing you to easily remove them from the wall. Pry up a seam edge, tug gently, and then pull down at an angle. A few kinds of wallpaper can be harder to remove, however. To deal with this, remove the top layer of paper by pulling it off the wall. This exposes the wallpaper backing. You can then simply apply hot water to the backing and then scrape it off the wall. It is better if you work in small sections at a time.

Remove the Paste

This step is important because it will allow you to hang new wallpaper or paint the room. Use a putty knife to scrape off as much of the paste as you can, and then deal with any remaining spots by using gel stripper. Apply the stripper to the last bits of remaining paste, then scrape off both the paste and the gel at the same time. Finally, rinse the wall with water and clean it until it is smooth.

If you need more advice on removing wallpaper, or on other home maintenance tasks, don’t hesitate to give Handyman Connection of Matthews a call. We are an expert in a wide variety of home improvement and maintenance services. Call us at (704) 255-5626, or contact us here to learn more about our services and products, or to request an estimate.