When we talk about wall renovation the first thing that comes in mind is changing wallpaper. It is a job many consider doing on their own, not hiring any experts and it is only understandable. After all, a more thorough renovation can be costly and you will want to save from things you can finish on your own. The job is messy, but following certain steps can ensure a success. Just prepare carefully, as it is a job that can damage your walls and make it harder to put new wallpaper or paint on.
So before you decide to do this job on your own, it is very important to know what has to be done and what the steps of the whole process are. This will ensure a successful project with no problematic situations.
DIY Wallpaper Removal
First step – clear the room of any furniture or other objects. You will have to give yourself enough space and also protect anything inside, as the job is messy, as it was already mentioned. Protect the floor with cloth and tape overlapping on the walls. There will be glue and hot water streaming down the walls from the old wallpaper, so there needs to be a good number of towels or other soaking material. Take everything off the walls, such as switches, vents and others and mask their opening with tape or other sealing material.
Second step – you need to remove the face of the wallpaper, i.e. its outmost layer. You can start from the base of the wall or ceiling and around any power switches, where the paper is usually loose. By stripping this layer first you will have an easier time dealing with the glued part of the wallpaper.
DIY Wallpaper Removal
Third step – next comes the harder part of removing the glued remains off the wall. Soak the wallpaper with hot water or other chemical solution, if water alone does not cut it. The market presents many options for wallpaper removal, so you can use them to complete the task. Use a putty knife to tear off pieces that remain stuck, but be careful not to scratch the wall.
Fourth step – carefully examine the walls for any glue left there. You want to apply the new wallpaper on well and professionally cleaned wall, else you risk that it will not stick properly. This is the toughest cleaning part, but it is important to do it properly. Again, you can use other solutions, such as various chemical strippers.
Fifth step – repair the wall. Any holes, gouges and scratches should be patched with joint compound. Once it is dry, the wall should be sanded until its surface is smooth enough. That is the final step of the process, but it is very important. Any imperfections on the wall will likely cause new wallpaper to bubble or not stick properly.
That pretty much concludes the process of removing the wallpaper on your own. Give yourself enough time for the task, and stay focused on each of the steps to ensure a success and a job well done.