Wallpaper removal doesn't have to be one of those dreaded tasks that is somewhere on the list between taking out the garbage and spending the day with your mother-in-law which, depending upon how you look at it, may be one in the same.
The real secret to successful wallpaper removal is something that happens long before it's time to remove the paper; it's addressed when the paper is being hung. You got it! It's called proper wall preparation! Unfortunately, chances are that you may not have owned the home when the paper was originally installed and that's exactly why you're removing the paper (sorry to be the one to break the bad news, but red velvet flocked paper is out and Southwestern is in.). In any event, even if the walls were not prepared to your ultimate satisfaction, you'll still be able to remove the paper. It just may mean a little more elbow grease and some additional repair work to the wall surface once the paper has been totally removed.
Let's begin our project by performing the second most important secret to successful wallpaper removal; scoring or breaking the surface of the paper in order to allow the steam or paste neutralizer to penetrate the face of the paper and weaken the bond that exists. Although this can be achieved in a number of ways two of the most popular are with a scoring device designed specifically for this task or by using a hand saw. Yes, we did say handsaw. The teeth of the saw are run across the face of the paper and result in what an angry cat might do to a predator.
The two most popular methods to remove wallpaper are using a steamer or using an enzyme based solution, which will neutralize the wallpaper paste. Either of these methods is acceptable and under normal circumstances will work quite well. Steamers can be rented from your local tool rental establishment or paint and wallpaper store. They are rather inexpensive and don't require a degree in physics to operate. Steam is used to moisten the paste while not saturating the drywall or plaster below.
The wallpaper stripping solution can be purchased from your local hardware store, home improvement center, or paint and wallpaper store. Typically, this is a concentrated formula that is to be mixed with water and sprayed on with a good old-fashioned garden sprayer. Be cautious about not using too much or you could soak the wallboard below and end up with more repair work and wall preparation than you bargained for.
Regardless of which method you should elect to use, we suggest that you start from a corner at the top and work your way down along vertical seams, letting gravity assist you in peeling back the paper. You may find that using a four to five inch putty knife may significantly improve your ability to separate the paper from the wall. After all of the paper has been removed, make sure to thoroughly clean up any glue that may remain with a sponge and warm water. Once the wall has dried completely, generally one to two days, you can make repairs to the surface with drywall taping compound or another appropriate spackling material. A little light sanding and you'll be free of that purple paisley wallpaper and be ready to move on to new horizons.
