The Art of Wallpaper Removal

When most people think about wallpaper removal and installation, it’s common to flash on the cartoonish pictures of someone tangled in a mess of glue and paper fumbling around. While the process isn’t usually that bad, there are a quite a few pitfalls for those who aren’t seasoned in these tasks. The worst case scenario is causing costly damages to the home or furniture in the process. However, another alternative is living with outdated wallpaper.

Old wallpaper makes a house look out of date and sometimes even embarrassing, undermining the entire particular look that the homeowner is trying to achieve. Either way, it’s not worth the risk of taking on the job without a professional. Here’s what to expect when considering a quality wallpaper removal and installation process.

Knowing What to Expect

Any professional will be able to determine the type of wall covering and wall surface that’s under the wallpaper, but it’s helpful to understand the identification process. In most cases, walls are either drywall or plaster smoothed over. Plaster is usually colder, harder and smoother than drywall. Another test is to tap on the wall. Drywall usually sounds hollow, while plaster does not.

Loss Prevention

For safety, turn off the electricity in the room where wallpaper will be removed. Additionally, furniture needs to be moved away from the walls and covered in plastic prior to the stripping and removal of the wallpaper to prevent costly damage or loss. The carpet, tile or wood floor is also an important detail, as it needs to be completely covered to prevent water damage or glue mess.

Chemicals

For many homeowners, considering necessary chemicals for stripping/application is enough to cause them to seek guidance or services. It’s understandable because after all, the thought of using several enzyme solutions and glues spells potential disaster for some people. Without the proper precautions, chemicals can irritate exposed skin, and potentially be hazardous to inhale incidentally.

Unfortunately, safety equipment cost can add up quickly. Professional wallpaper removal and installation services have all the equipment at their disposal. For example they generally use absorbable drop cloths to catch excess stripping solution.

Execution

For you do-it-yourselfers, you may read step by step wallpaper removal instructions at this other blog entry. From experience, however, people who use us for wallpaper removal are more satisfied with the overall process. We offer a completely safe and accurate stripping. This also includes special sealers, drywall repairs and spot priming when needed, so your wall is ready for painting or hanging new paper. Often a little guidance can produce an absolutely stunning transformation by just updating the old wallpaper eyesores.