If you want to give your walls a fresh start, first, you want to know some useful tips to remove your wallpaper. Whether you’ll be applying a fresh coat of paint, or you simply want to replace it with a new one, removing your existing wallpaper is necessary. Wallpaper removal is a simple task and doesn’t require the help of a professional, you can do it on your own. Here are 7 tips to remove wallpaper in Orange, CT.
1. Protect Your Floors and Electrical Outlets
Before you start removing your old wallpaper, you should protect your floors and electrical outlets first. Since water is needed in the process of cleaning, you need to cover your floor with a plastic painter’s tarp and secure it using a painter’s tape. If the wall you’ll be working on has an electrical outlet, protect it by applying painter’s tape to cover the entire area. Don’t forget to remove the tarp and the tape once you’re done removing your wallpaper.
2. Scrape Your Wallpaper
There are several types of wallpaper including liner, printed, vinyl, foil, flock, mylar, and bamboo wallpapers. Vinyl, bamboo, and paper wallpapers have an outer layer, and generally, the paper has an adhesive inner layer. Start removing your wallpaper by finding an edge and pry it up with the use of a putty knife or scraper. You’re lucky if your wallpaper comes off in sheets when you start peeling or scraping it.
3. Score Your Wallpaper
When removing wallpapers, you need to apply a hot water solution to it so the paper will come off the wall. However, some types of wallpaper like the ones used in bathrooms can repel water. No matter what type of wallpaper you’re dealing with, it’s never a bad idea to buy a wallpaper scoring tool. A wallpaper scoring tool will slightly pierce the outer layer of your wallpaper that allows the hot water solution to penetrate and remove the adhesive.
4. Mix Hot Water Solution
When you’re done scoring your wallpaper, it’s time to apply your hot water solution. There are two types of an effective hot water solution, ¼ fabric softener with ¾ hot water and ⅓ vinegar with ⅔ hot water. It’s up to you to determine which hot water solution works best for your wallpaper. Before you start spraying the solution to your wallpaper, don’t forget to wear safety goggles to ensure the safety of your eyes.
5. Apply the Solution and Scrape Off Your Wallpaper
Use a pressure sprayer to apply the hot water solution to your existing wallpaper. Wait for about three minutes to allow the solution to work, then use your putty knife or scraper to pry one corner of your wallpaper. Keep working while the surface is still wet since it gets hard to remove when your wallpaper has dried. Ignore the dried area first, you can spray hot water solution to it once you remove most of the wet parts of your wallpaper.
6. Turn Off The Power to Your Electrical Outlet
Since you’ll be spraying hot water solution, don’t forget to turn off the power to your electrical outlet. Especially if the area you’ll be working on has one, do this safety measure to protect yourself from getting electrocuted. You can now remove the painter’s tape from your electrical outlet and remove the cover by using a screwdriver. Use your putty knife or scraper to remove your wallpaper around the electrical outlet.
7. Remove the Remaining Adhesive
When you’re done removing your old wallpaper, you may see some remaining adhesive on the walls. Spray hot water solution to the area with some adhesive left and remove it using a scraper. After removing it, use a clean and wet rag to wipe your wall and let it dry before you proceed with the next step of your work. Need professional help to repaint your home interior? New Haven Painters can help.
We offer affordable, reliable, and durable painting services in New Haven, Branford, Milford, Orange, North Haven, West Haven, East Haven, and the surrounding areas. Book a FREE estimate below to get started, or call us at (203) 606-2346 to talk about your project.
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