Wallpaper Removal
Introduction:
You have been thinking about removing
that old wall paper for years but you just didn’t know where
to start. Well, wallpaper removal, wallpaper stripping, is not a difficult task,
it’s
considered an
easy DIY project. In fact, modern wall paper is quite easy
to remove.
The risk of
damaging a wall by the wall paper removal is almost nil,
providing you take precautions and use some wallpaper
remover. There are several options,
including steaming or spraying with chemical wallpaper
removal, but you'll
have to decide which one will work best for you and your
wallpaper.
Which method
you use to take down the wallpaper will depend on the
product. Some wallpaper such as vinyl can be stripped dry,
while others will require a removal solution. If the old
wallpaper was put on without the wall being primed with a
sizing compound the job may be more difficult. Steamers are
usually not necessary to remove wall paper although they are
still available at rental outlets. They are cumbersome to
use and take much longer to do the job than other methods.
A
concentrated remover solution that is mixed with water is
the current method of choice. An ideal one is DIF Zinsser.
It is available in most home improvement stores. When
applied to the wall the solution dissolves the adhesive
wallpaper backing, making it easy to take off. Before
starting, gather the right tools and do some basic
preparations. Like all home improvement DIY projects tool are required.
-
A one or
two 3-to-6-inch broad knife
-
Step
Ladder
-
Scoring
tool
-
A garden
sprayer (a 2-gallon plastic pump type is adequate).
-
How to
do it
-
Sponge
-
Plastic
bucket
-
Plastic
tarp or drop cloth
-
Rubber
gloves
In preparing to do the job, use a plastic
sheet or a drop cloth to cover the carpet or floor. Take
down all outlet covers and fixtures. Mix the solution with
hot water. Test a small area of the wall, about a 3' x 3'
section, by lifting an edge of the wallpaper and pealing it
away from the wall.
If the wallpaper doesn't come off easily,
spray the remover-solution mixture on the area and let it
soak into the wallpaper. You may need to apply a couple of
times. After removing the wallpaper some amount of the
backing will be left on the wall that can be scraped off
with a broad knife. If the mixture does not penetrate
through the wallpaper, use the scoring tool in circular
motions to make tiny punctures into the wallpaper. This will
allow the mixture to saturate the wallpaper and its backing
quicker.
Once the
wallpaper and its backing are removed, spray the wall with
the mixture one last time and scrape off any missed spots.
Then, wipe down the wall with a moist sponge and warm water
and let it dry for a few days.
If the old wall paper is removal
wallpaper it will peel away quite easily. A little moisture
may be necessary to loosen the paper. Start in a corner and
peel in a downward motion. After removing the old wall paper
clean the wall using a sponge and warm water to remove all
the residual paste. Let thoroughly dry before applying new
wallpaper or painting.
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