StrippingWallpaper.net - a guide to stripping wallpaper
Nobody enjoys stripping and removing wallpaper. It never seems to go smoothly and sometimes it can be just plain impossible, but there are a few simple rules to follow which can help to make the process easier.
You don't always need to remove old wallpaper, sometimes you can get away with just painting over it! However, if you intend to hang new wallpaper and want a high quality finish, then there really is no choice. Papering over existing paper can cause problems as the wet paste may create lumps in the old wallpaper and it is impossible to disguise bumps where old overlaps have been covered.
If new wallpaper's your thing, you've got to get that scraper out and get stripping.
You don't always need to remove old wallpaper, sometimes you can get away with just painting over it! However, if you intend to hang new wallpaper and want a high quality finish, then there really is no choice. Papering over existing paper can cause problems as the wet paste may create lumps in the old wallpaper and it is impossible to disguise bumps where old overlaps have been covered.
If new wallpaper's your thing, you've got to get that scraper out and get stripping.
Preparing to remove wallpaper
When you remove wallpaper using warm water or a steamer you get piles of sticky, wallpaper paste sodden paper all over the floor. Make sure you at least cover any flooring or carpet which you have down. Ideally you should remove carpet and underlay as you could very easily ruin it.
Once you've covered/removed your carpet you should score the paper all over with the edge of your scraper or with a wallpaper scorer if you have one. Take a bucket of warm, soapy water and apply it over all of scored paper. The scores help the water to penetrate in behind the paper and soften the old wallpaper paste. The more soaked your walls are, the easier it is to remove the paper, so try to keep applying water to other walls in between stripping.
When you remove wallpaper using warm water or a steamer you get piles of sticky, wallpaper paste sodden paper all over the floor. Make sure you at least cover any flooring or carpet which you have down. Ideally you should remove carpet and underlay as you could very easily ruin it.
Once you've covered/removed your carpet you should score the paper all over with the edge of your scraper or with a wallpaper scorer if you have one. Take a bucket of warm, soapy water and apply it over all of scored paper. The scores help the water to penetrate in behind the paper and soften the old wallpaper paste. The more soaked your walls are, the easier it is to remove the paper, so try to keep applying water to other walls in between stripping.
The tools for the job
Several items of equipment are needed to make stripping your wallpaper an easy job:
Stepladder
Trestles
Steam stripper (optional)
Scrapers
Wallpaper scorer (optional)
Wire Brush
Sponge
Paddle Brush
Several items of equipment are needed to make stripping your wallpaper an easy job:
Stepladder
Trestles
Steam stripper (optional)
Scrapers
Wallpaper scorer (optional)
Wire Brush
Sponge
Paddle Brush
If you haven't got a steam stripper, then you are in for a long and painful task. Standing up a ladder, pushing upwards as you frantically try to scrape at the paper on a ceiling can be sole destroying. Often the hard wearing paints used to cover ceiling paper, can be very hard to soak adequately. You can't afford not to get one!
Even with a steam stripper ceilings are hard work. A ladder really isn't any good for this work. It is far better to set up a platform at the correct height for you to work from. Try to work in steady, short bursts or your arms will cease to function properly!
Using a Steam Stripper to remove wallpaper
These make life far easier, and not just on ceilings, but walls too. Just remember that you are dealing with scalding hot water (it's basically a heavy duty kettle), so make sure you adhere to safety guidelines.
If you are stripping old walls then be careful not to hold the steamer in one place for too long. It is easy to soften old plaster.
Properly soaked paper will almost fall off the walls, so there should be no need to be too forceful with the scraper.
Electrical Sockets and Switches
Remember, water and electricity are a dangerous combination. When you are removing wallpaper directly above light switches or plug sockets, make sure you turn the electricity supply off and remove the switch faces from the walls. Make sure they are properly dry before you turn the power back on again!
Backing Paper
If you are lucky then you will be stripping the kind of paper that allows only the face of the paper to be removed and leaves the backing paper in place. As long as the paper is not badly damaged then it can be left on and used as lining. Wasn't that thoughtful!
If you want to remove the backing paper, because it is damaged, then soak it with warm, soapy water applied with your paddle brush. You need to really soak it through, so apply at least two coats of water. Then it's back to the scraping again.
That’s really all there is too it. Just keep scraping until it's all on the floor.
Tidying up
Yes, you're finished! Don’t forget to tidy all of the paper up quickly, because if you let it dry to the floor, you'll need to soak it and scrape it off again! Put all of the wet paper into plastic waste bags, then wash the walls thoroughly with warm water and mild detergent to remove any traces of paste.
Now your ready for hanging your new wallpaper. Check out our comprehensive guide at HangingWallpaper.net.
Tips for Stripping wallpaper
Buy good quality tools and clean them thoroughly. They should last a life time!
Remove carpeting and underlay before stripping
Keep the walls soaked! Work out a rotation system.
Wear old clothes. It's messy work.
Don’t scrape too hard. You will loosen the plaster!
And lastly, pay someone else to do it! It’s a tedious way to spend a Saturday.
