How to remove old wallpaper off the wall

Removing wallpaper can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Learn tips and tricks to use liquid solvents and special devices. Both methods soften the wallpaper removal process, so you can tear off the paper without damaging the wall surface.

Step 1: Preparatory work

Seal all electrical outlets and baseboards, in order to avoid the ingress of moisture. This can be done by a simple tape or a special moisture-resistant.

Step 2: Check adhesion of old wallpaper

Some wallpapers, especially foils and waterproof types, firmly glued to the wall, but it does not always happen. Before you begin the more difficult processes described below, start in a corner or seam and try to clear the wallpaper away from the surface. If you can not do it without breaking the main paper leaving the ranks may have to float or to use a solvent. And even if the remains clinging to the wall, after a large piece of paper dropped, you may be able to just scrape them without resorting to more drastic measures to remove.

Step 3: Punch the old wallpaper

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Whether you decide to use a solvent or steaming removal method, first use wallpaper perforating tool, which has rollers with small spikes that punch tiny holes in the wallpaper. This allows the solvent to penetrate through in the paper.

Step 4: Solvent Method

Most of caustic solvents, so if you choose this method, wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Commercial solvents generally miscible with water or available as a gel, which is used without mixing. Follow the product instructions and apply it with a brush or sponge, then let the solution soak in for a while and soften the wallpaper.

Cheap miscible solvent alternatives include hot water with a few tablespoons white vinegar, or hot water and fabric softener, both of which can be used with an aerosol spray. Mix small batches at a time, to keep the water hot as possible. Saturate the wallpaper in sections, spraying only the amount of the wall, which you might want to remove a 15-minute period.

Step 5: The steam method

You can rent a commercial rasparivatel wallpaper as an alternative to solvents. Such equipment is especially well in the removal of hard, heavy, old-style wallpaper and papers, which were kept for a very long time.

As solvents rasparivatel dirty way by releasing hot steam and hot water dripping necessarily wear gloves and eye protection. Rasparivatel also introduces a generous amount of humidity in the room, open the window and ventilate, to avoid moisture entering restricted areas.

To use rasparivatel wallpaper, put a pillow rasparivatelya into the surface of wallpaper and hold it long enough to allow the steam to penetrate through the paper and soften the glue. Experience will tell you how long to keep the ship pillow against the wall - if you apply too little steam, it will be difficult to remove the wallpaper.

Once loosened wallpaper, use a scraper to remove. This process can be time-consuming, but the more effort you devote to steaming, the less time you spend on cleaning.

Step 6: Clean the wallpaper scraper

After the solvent or steam when you loosened wallpaper, start to remove the paper in the seam or perforation edge. Use the tool to remove the wallpaper, a plastic spatula or knife. You may have to continue to use steam or reuse the solvent in difficult areas. Continue to clean until all the wallpaper will not be removed.

Step 7: Remove the remnants of wallpaper and start to repair the walls

Prepare a bucket of very hot water, mixed with a small amount of tri-sodium phosphate (TSP), heavy-duty detergent, available in hardware stores. Use a sponge to wipe the walls with the mixture and remove all traces of wallpaper residue. Sponge walls with clean water and wipe dry with a towel.