You have decided it is time to get rid of that old wallpaper and make your Spanaway home look more modern. That is a good decision. Wallpaper removal is a common project, especially in our area. But wallpaper removal is not always as simple as just pulling it off. There is more to it, especially when you think about our specific climate and the types of homes we have here in Spanaway.
Why Wallpaper Removal is Different Here in Spanaway
Many homes in Spanaway have been here for a long time. The average construction year in Spanaway is 1989, but many houses were built before the 1970s. Some were even built before the 1940s. Think about the older neighborhoods, like around Spanaway Lake or in those established areas north of town with their tree-lined lots. These older homes often have older building materials. This means they often have older wallpaper.
When you are working with homes built many decades ago, you are not just dealing with modern drywall. You might find plaster walls under that wallpaper. Plaster reacts very differently to steamers, strippers, and scraping compared to drywall. If you are too rough, you can chip, crack, or even pull the plaster right off the lath behind it. Charis Painting Inc has seen many times where people tried to do it themselves and took a piece of the wall off with the wallpaper. This just makes a bigger and more expensive problem to fix for Spanaway homeowners.
Our Pacific Northwest Climate: A Hidden Factor for Wallpaper Removal
Then there is our weather in Spanaway, Washington. We all know Western Washington gets a lot of rain and humidity. That constant dampness, even if you cannot see it, can really affect how wallpaper adhesive works. In a drier climate, old adhesive might just crumble away. But here in Spanaway, with our average humidity, that glue can stay stuck very tight. This makes it hard to remove cleanly. It means you need more patience and the right moisture technique for wallpaper removal, not just brute force.
Humidity can also cause other problems hidden behind wallpaper, such as mold or mildew. If moisture has gotten trapped between the paper and the wall, mold can grow very well. You will not see this mold until the wallpaper comes off. Then you have a health problem that needs to be handled safely and quickly. This is not something you want to deal with on your own in your Spanaway home.
Common Wallpaper Types We See Around Here in Spanaway
Over the years, Charis Painting Inc has seen many types of wallpaper in Spanaway homes. Some common types we find that can be hard to remove include:
- Old Vinyl Wallpaper: This wallpaper was popular because it was durable and resisted moisture. This is why you will often find it in kitchens and bathrooms. The vinyl layer can sometimes peel off, but it leaves the paper backing stuck to the wall very stubbornly.
- Flock Wallpaper: This wallpaper has a fuzzy, textured surface. It was considered very fancy back when it was installed. The texture can make it harder to get a good grip for wallpaper removal. The adhesive can also be very strong.
- Foil or Metallic Wallpaper: These wallpapers have a shiny surface. They often have multiple backing layers. This can make them especially hard to remove without damaging the wall underneath.
- Multiple Layers: It is common to find several layers of wallpaper, one on top of the other. This is especially true in homes that have been updated a few times over many decades in Spanaway. Each layer makes the wallpaper removal process more complex and takes more time.
Why Local Expertise Matters for Wallpaper Removal in Spanaway
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