How do I remove wallpaper?

[jean]

I am having trouble removing some wallpaper and the glue underneath. Does anyone have any advice?

[admin]

How to Remove Wallpaper
If you are redecorating a room that is covered in wallpaper, it is usually necessary to remove the old wallpaper. Whether painting or wallpapering, a clean surface free of old paper and adhesive is necessary. As in most cases, the prepping stage is the most time consuming, but it definitely pays off with your final result.

Removing wallpaper is an easy job once you learn the best way to remove your type of paper.

Tools and Materials You Need:


Utility knife (or razor blade)
Chemical wallpaper remover
Electric steamer
Taping knife (or wall scraper)
Protective goggles
Rubber gloves
Heavy-duty detergent (trisodium phosphate)
Large sponge
Step 1. Score the Wallpaper: Before using either a chemical agent or steam, you must score the wallpaper with a utility knife so the chemicals or steam can soak into the paste and soften it. (See Figure 1.) To score the paper, make cuts in it in a crisscross pattern. This helps the softening agent to get through the paper to the glue. Many wallpapers are made of vinyl or foil which are waterproof. If these papers aren’t scored, the paste will not soften at all.


Step 2. Soften the Paste:

Use Chemical Wallpaper Remover: Chemical wallpaper remover is best applied with a garden sprayer. It is much faster than using a sponge, which can also be used. You can buy the chemical remover at any hardware store. It usually needs to be mixed with water, so follow the manufacturer’s directions. Apply the chemical until the paper is saturated. Wait a few minutes for the chemical remover to disintegrate the paste.



Caution: When working with a chemical wallpaper remover, always wear protective goggles and rubber gloves.





Use an Electric Steamer: An electric steamer can be used as an alternative to a chemical remover for softening the wallpaper paste. A steamer is easy to use and can be rented from most rental stores or hardware stores. Fill the steamer’s tank with water and heat it electrically. Once the hand held plate starts pumping steam, hold it against the paper until the paste becomes soft.



Caution: The steamer will become very hot, so hold it a good distance from your body and wear protective gloves and goggles.

Step 3. Scrape Off Wallpaper: When using chemicals, you can saturate the entire wall before scraping. If you are using steam, only steam a small portion at a time before you scrape the wallpaper. Use a taping knife or wall scraper to scrape the paper as soon as the glue has been loosened by chemicals or steam. The surface may be soft, so be careful not to gouge it with the scraper.

Step 4. Remove Old Adhesive: Use a heavy-duty detergent, such as trisodium phosphate and a sponge to remove the excess adhesive from the walls. Some areas may restrict trisodium phosphate, so you can use its nonphosphate equivalent. Your hardware store can help you find the right one. Rinse the walls using a clean sponge. Do not wallpaper or paint over the walls until they are completely dry.


Caution: When working with trisodium phosphate or any heavy-duty detergents, wear rubber gloves to protect your skin.

Step 5. Remove Peelable (or Strippable) Wallpaper: Some wallpapers are peelable or strippable and do not require chemicals or steam to be removed. These papers are easy to remove if you just use a utility knife to pry up a corner and pull the strip off the wall. Once you have removed all the strips of wallpaper, use warm water and a sponge to soften the adhesive, and scrape it away with a wide taping knife or wall scraper.

From Here: http://doityourself.com/wallpaper/ho...ewallpaper.htm
Written by Roy Barnhart, home improvement expert, Fairfield, CT.

[jean]

Thanks! And so quick too!

[RodgerDodger]

Thanks Roy,
Your info was a big help to me too!!

[fosgate3]

after removing the wallpaper, will the wall be in a good condition to accept paint or is there more prep work that needs to be done before painting?

"All that you touch and all that you see is all your life will ever be" - R. Waters

[LazyPup]

After trying about 20 different home remedies and a dozen commercial wallpaper removers i happened upon a tip in the "Hints to Heloise" section of my newspaper that is cheap and really works good.

first score the wallpaper with a "Papertiger". It is an inexpensive little plastic device with three star wheels on the bottom to perforate the wallpaper. YOu can buy the paper tiger at Lowes, Home Depot or most paint stores for about $10.

then wet the wallpaper with "Downy Fabric Softener" Wait five minutes and peel, if it isnt already falling off that is.

[Dr. Ugs]

Older topic, but i just removed some wallpaper today....

my 2 cents here, wallpaper can be easily removed with a bucket of very hot water, use a rag , smear on wallpaper, let it sink in, and rip off paper.
If wallpaper is old, you'll rip off the first layer leaving a thin layer of paper which had the glue on it.
Repeat the water treatment, This last layer really absorbs the water extremely well. once water is absorbed, Scrap it off.

No need to buy chemical products man or any fancy tools. I've removed all wallpaper with only water and a scraper. Give it a try.
I've yet to encouter a wallpaper that didnt cead to hot water yet..

[SSN596]

Napalm!

[Hannah]

quote:Originally posted by Dr. Ugs

Older topic, but i just removed some wallpaper today....

my 2 cents here, wallpaper can be easily removed with a bucket of very hot water, use a rag , smear on wallpaper, let it sink in, and rip off paper.
If wallpaper is old, you'll rip off the first layer leaving a thin layer of paper which had the glue on it.
Repeat the water treatment, This last layer really absorbs the water extremely well. once water is absorbed, Scrap it off.

No need to buy chemical products man or any fancy tools. I've removed all wallpaper with only water and a scraper. Give it a try.
I've yet to encouter a wallpaper that didnt cead to hot water yet..

I agree with you that all you need is a lot of hot water and a $2.00 wallpaper scraper. If you are having trouble getting the paper off add more water (and make sure you put a towel on the floor to soak up the runoff). I would be afraid to use all of those chemicals!