Wallpaper….It’s Gotta Go!

Wallpaper I've been in so many homes lately that are full of wallpaper.  Great if you live there….not great when you're trying to sell.  We strip a lot of wallpaper because it typically dates the home. 

I have given the following information out from www.ehow.com about how to strip paper.  They are a great source of information for projects.

Instructions To Remove Wallpaper

Things You'll Need:

  • Sponge
  • Putty knife
  • Carpet knife
  • Gel
  • Paper towels
  • Garbage bag
  • Drop cloth
  • DIF wallpaper stripper
  • Spackling paste
  • Large putty knife
  • Sandpaper and wedge
  • Rubber gloves
  • Plastic grocery bags
  1. Step 1

    Remove pictures, fixtures and wall plates from the wall. Place drop cloth on floor and over furnishings.

  2. Step 2

    Take an edge of the wallpaper that is already separated from the wall, and peel it away from the wall. This will help you evaluate what type of problems you may encounter. Remove as much paper as you can this way. Place old paper in a garbage bag.

  3. Step 3

    For paper that is left on the wall, spray a 2-by-2 foot section of the wall with DIF wallpaper stripper gel. Let it set for 15 to 20 minutes. Scrape off with a small putty knife. Use firm pressure against the wall, but under the paper. Make your movement smooth, and be careful not to gouge the wall. Use rubber gloves to protect your hands from the gel. Place paper and gel in a plastic grocery bag then into the garbage bag.

  4. Step 4

    When the paper separates from the backing, and the backing and the glue are left behind, a second or third spraying may have to be applied and removed. This is where a damp sponge is helpful. Run the sponge over the area and wait a few minutes. Some of the paper backing and glue will come off on the sponge, so rinse often. Use the putty knife to firmly but gentle remove the glue and backing.

  5. Step 5

    Rinse the area with a clean, damp sponge when you are done. Move on to another section on the wall until finished.

  6. Step 6

    Determine if there is wall damage to be repaired with spackling paste. If so, wait 24 hours for the wall to dry thoroughly. Spackle over any gouges, picture hanger holes or other imperfections. Smooth with a putty knife, and let the wall dry for 24 hours. Sand the spackled areas with medium sandpaper. Prime the wall. It is now ready to paint.

If you don't want to buy a wallpaper stripper, there are some "home remedies" you can try as an alternative:

Fabric Softener

Fabric softener and water will soften the adhesive and the paper to make is easy to scrape from the walls. The water lubricates the adhesive, while the fabric softener chemically combines or mixes with the adhesive. Its presence then breaks down the strong bond between the wallpaper and the wall.

Add one part fabric softener to four parts warm water. Apply the solution to the wallpaper surface and allow to soak in for 15 to 20 minutes before scraping away the wallpaper.

Vinegar

Another home remedy is to use vinegar and water. Vinegar is acetic acid and water, and its acetic acid breaks down adhesive bonds. Once the water saturates the wallpaper surface, the vinegar will enter into the adhesive to release its bonds between the wallpaper and the wall.

Add one part vinegar to one part hot water. Apply to the walls, making sure to soak the wallpaper well. Allow to sit for 20 minutes as the vinegar and hot water break down and melt away the adhesive. The hot water also softens the paper backing, which also helps the wallpaper removal process.

Getting the Job Done

Once your wallpaper removal solution has soaked into the wallpaper long enough, use a scraper—a wallpaper removal tool or a drywall knife—to scrape the wallpaper off of the walls. Hold your tool at a 45-degree angle with the flat edge resting against the wall. Apply a little pressure and push the tool upwards into the wallpaper. The wallpaper should peel off as you scrape through it. If you encounter difficult spots, spray or wash on more of your solution, or simply wet with hot water. Continue to scrape away all of the wallpaper.

You can remove paper, and then paint the walls.  You just have to make sure the wall you paint is very smooth without a lot of damage.  It's a messy job to remove the paper, but it's worth it when your home sells faster!

Jeri Pischke, Tender Heart Transitions – Email - Website

1 Response
  1. Wall papers are good for use if pasted well. Otherwise after sometime it will leave a space. I think wall painting is also good option. Oakleigh painters are good at work. If needed them try them once.

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