Let's talk about Wallpaper. If you have Wallpaper in your Spanaway home, you probably want to remove it. Whether it is that floral pattern from the 1980s or something a previous owner put on, removing Wallpaper can seem like a very big job. But do not worry too much; with the right approach, you can do a lot of it yourself. For the really tough Wallpaper, Charis Painting Inc is here to help.
Before You Start: The Preparation Work Is Important
You would not start a marathon without stretching. The same is true for Wallpaper Removal. Good preparation saves you many problems later on.
- Clear the Room: Move all your furniture out of the room or at least to the center of the room. Cover the furniture with drop cloths. You will be using water, possibly chemicals, and making a lot of mess.
- Protect Your Floors: Lay down plastic sheeting or canvas drop cloths. Tape them securely along the baseboards. Water and Wallpaper gunk can really damage your floors, especially if you have original hardwoods like many of the older homes around Spanaway Lake.
- Turn Off the Power: This is an important step. Remove all outlet covers and switch plates. Then go to your breaker box and turn off the electricity to the walls you are working on. Tape over the exposed outlets to keep moisture out.
- Gather Your Tools: You will need several things. This includes a spray bottle, a scoring tool (it looks like a small spiked wheel), a plastic putty knife or scraper, a wide scraper, sponges, and buckets. A Wallpaper steamer can be very helpful for stubborn Wallpaper. You can often rent these Wallpaper steamers.
- Test a Small Area: Some Wallpaper, especially newer types of Wallpaper, might be 'strippable'. This means it will come off in dry sheets. Try peeling a corner of the Wallpaper. If it comes off easily, you might be lucky. If not, you will need to soak the Wallpaper.
During the Project: Getting That Paper Off
Now it is time for the main work. Patience is your best friend during Wallpaper Removal. Do not rush the Wallpaper Removal, or you will risk damaging your Drywall. Damaging Drywall is a much bigger repair job.
Scoring and Soaking
If your Wallpaper is not dry-stripping, you need to get your Wallpaper Removal solution to the adhesive layer. The scoring tool is used for this. Lightly run the scoring tool over the Wallpaper in circular motions. The goal is to create tiny perforations in the Wallpaper without gouging the Drywall underneath the Wallpaper.
Next, it is time to soak the Wallpaper. You have a few options for your solution:
- Warm Water and Dish Soap: This is often the easiest and most effective solution for many types of Wallpaper. Just use warm water with a squirt of dish soap in your spray bottle.
- White Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts hot water and white vinegar. This solution is good for breaking down Wallpaper adhesive.
- Fabric Softener Solution: Some people use a mix of one part fabric softener with three parts hot water.
- Commercial Strippers: You can buy these at hardware stores in Spanaway. These are usually only needed for very tough, old Wallpaper.
Spray a section of the wall thoroughly. Let the solution soak for 10 to 15 minutes. You want the Wallpaper to be very damp. Work in sections so the solution does not dry out before you get to it.
Scraping It Off
Once the Wallpaper is soaked, start peeling from a seam or a corner. Use your plastic putty knife or scraper to gently lift the edges of the Wallpaper. Slide the blade under the Wallpaper with steady, even pressure. If the Wallpaper is tearing or not coming off easily, spray more solution and let it soak longer. Do not force the Wallpaper off; forcing it is how you damage the wall.
For very stubborn spots, a Wallpaper steamer can work very well. The heat and moisture from the steamer help loosen even the oldest, most adhered glue.
After the Wallpaper Is Gone: Clean Up and Prepare for Paint
Do not think you are done just because the Wallpaper is off. There is often a sticky residue left behind that needs to be removed. If you skip this step, your new paint will not stick correctly and you will have a peeling mess later on.
- Wash the Walls: Use warm water and a mild detergent or a special Wallpaper adhesive remover to clean off all the glue residue. A sponge works well for this cleaning. You might need to do this a couple of times.
- Let it Dry: Give the walls a good 24 to 48 hours to dry completely.
- Inspect and Repair: Look for any gouges, dings, or areas where the Drywall paper might have torn. Patch these areas with joint compound. Sand them smooth once dry.
- Prime, Prime, Prime: This priming step is important. Use a good quality, oil-based or shellac-based primer. This primer should be specifically designed to seal walls after Wallpaper Removal. This locks in any residual adhesive and provides a consistent surface for your new paint in your Spanaway home.
DIY vs. Calling a Professional: When to Know Your Limits
You can definitely do Wallpaper Removal yourself if you are dealing with a small area, newer Wallpaper, or if you have plenty of time and patience. It is a satisfying project when it goes well.
However, there are times when calling in Charis Painting Inc just makes sense for your Spanaway home:
- Old, Stubborn Wallpaper: This is especially true if the Wallpaper has been on for many decades or was hung directly onto unprimed Drywall. This was a common shortcut in homes built in the 1980s and 1990s, even in our Spanaway area. This type of Wallpaper can be a problem and cause significant Drywall damage if it is not handled correctly.
- Large Areas: Removing Wallpaper from an entire house or multiple rooms is very time-consuming and physically demanding.
- Delicate Walls: If your walls are old plaster or already show signs of damage, aggressive DIY Wallpaper Removal can make things much worse.
- Time Constraints: If you are on a tight schedule for a repaint or renovation, professionals can get the job done much faster and more efficiently.
- Risk of Damage: Improper Wallpaper Removal can lead to gouged Drywall, stubborn glue residue, or costly repairs. These repairs can wipe out any DIY savings.
We have seen all kinds of Wallpaper Removal jobs, from easy peels to Wallpaper that feels like it is fused with the Drywall. Sometimes, the initial savings of DIY Wallpaper Removal get eaten up by repair costs. If you are unsure, or just want the job done right without the hassle, give us a call at Charis Painting Inc. We will get those walls smooth and ready for their fresh new look in Spanaway. Charis Painting Inc provides Wallpaper Removal services for homes in Spanaway, WA.