For hanging new wallpaper or painting a wall, it is best practice to begin with a smooth, clean surface. This sometimes means removing old wallpaper, because new wallpaper or paint may not affix properly to the old surface, and oftentimes will peel away within a few weeks after hanging. A well-prepared, clean wall is the best surface to begin with. And by starting with a wall that has been properly prepared, you will not be able to see the imperfections or seams of the old wallpaper through your new paint or new wallpaper.

Strippable Wallpaper
Wallpaper comes in two basic types, strippable and non-strippable. Strippable wallpaper is the easiest to remove and oftentimes can be removed with ease, even without using any type of solvent or water. Non-strippable varieties, on the other hand, require other techniques in order to be removed properly. One of these is the process of steaming the paper off, but this can be a lengthy process that is time-consuming when compared to applying chemical solvent products to get it done faster.

If you don’t know which type, strippable or non-strippable, you have, then test it by trying to peel off a piece of the paper at an edge or corner with a putty knife. If the paper comes off easily, you can simply strip the rest away by peeling it at forty-five degree angles. If it tears or sticks, then it is likely non-strippable and you must use water or a chemical solvent to dissolve the glue on the back of the paper in order to remove it.

Removal
To begin, prepare the area by taking all of the furniture out of the room or by moving your furniture to the room’s center. Protect the furniture with tarps or drop cloths. Protect your floor in the same fashion.

Create slits that will allow water or solvent to penetrate behind the paper to get to the adhesive. You can do this with a box cutter; simply score the paper lightly, or use a scoring tool that will help you to avoid cutting the slits too deeply within the wall. You can find this type of tool at local home improvement outlets and it is used by just rolling it on the wallpaper’s surface. Once the paper has been scored, wet your walls using your chosen solvent.

Sometimes water is sufficient to loosening the adhesive, or you can use your choice of the following solutions. The first is a solution of white vinegar and warm water. Or you can use warm water combined with a mild soap or detergent. There are also readymade wallpaper removal solutions on the market that you can try.

Apply the solution or plain water to your wall with a paint roller or sponge. You might also use a spray bottle to apply the solution. Allow the solution to soak for ten minutes or longer, and then see if the paper will peel away using your hands. It often takes saturating the wall more than once to loosen the adhesive. A putty knife or scraper may be needed for the more stubborn areas of the wallpaper.

Once the wallpaper is removed, you will likely see that there is remaining adhesive on your wall. Use a solution of water and tri-sodium phosphate along with an S.O.S. or other scouring pad to remove it. Rinse with a wet rag. Allow the wall to dry, and then sand the wall until it is smooth. Wipe it down.

Stand back and admire your wall; it is now ready for whatever wall covering you choose to use.

Author Bio: With signature design style, Jessica Ackerman, an online writer with WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, describes bold approaches to purple metal wall decor and pink metal wall decor.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: home, decor, design, wall art, improvement, remodel, budget, repair, organize, feng shui, clean