How To Strip Old Wallpaper From Wall

To complete this task you will need the following items:

  1. Wallpaper Scraper
  2. Bucket and Sponge
  3. Wallpaper Steamer (optional)
  4. Filler (if required)
  5. Sandpaper (if required)

SAFETY: When working at heights always ensure that the structure is safe and secure. Never stretch out, always get down and re-position the scaffold.

Removing Old Wallpaper - Normal Coverings

First take your wallpaper scorer and go round the entire room gently scoring the old paper ensuring not to damage the plaster beneath. Next go back around the room soaking the paper with warm soapy water (or your wallpaper steamer), start from the bottom of each width of paper and work your way up to the ceiling.

Now go back to the area where you started and re-soak 3 widths of paper, then take you wallpaper scraper and starting at the bottom of the first width scrap the paper ensuring not to damage the plaster, work your way up to the ceiling removing all traces of paper from the wall. Now move onto the next width and repeat the process.

When you have finished the second width re-soak (or steam) the next 3 widths so they will be ready for stripping when you get there. Now work your way around the room re-soaking as necessary removing all traces of paper.

Removing Old Wallpaper - Vinyl Coverings

Some vinyl coverings can be simply peeled off the wall, to do this take your wallpaper scraper and lift one corner of a width and pull firmly, the paper should come away from the wall fairly easily. Once you have peeled all of the vinyl away wash down the wall with a suitable detergent to remove any old adhesive left by the covering.

Other vinyl coverings have a paper backing, to remove these coverings lift one corner and pull the vinyl away from the backing paper, then soak the backing paper and remove as you would normal wallpape.

Light Switches and Electrical Sockets

Isolate the power at the main fuse box and then remove the face plate with the securing screws this will allow you to remove any old paper that is stuck behind the socket/switch. Replace the face plate when finished.

Finishing off

Finally inspect the walls for cracks, holes and any loose plaster. For small cracks use a suitable fine filler, for larger cracks and holes use a stronger more suitable filler (see manufacturer’s instructions). To check for any loose plaster, tap the wall around any suspect areas and remove any loose flaky plaster. When filling try and leave a nice smooth finish, it is better to leave the filled area slightly proud of the surrounding area and then sand down with a fine sandpaper and sanding block until flush.

How To Hang Wallpaper - Part 1

In this article we will discuss how you can hang wallpaper at your home without the help of a professional.

Tools:

  1. paste (use the strongest available recommended on the wallpaper)
  2. bucket
  3. sharp knife (like a trimming knife)
  4. pasting brush
  5. dry hanging brush
  6. seam roller
  7. pasting table (they’re cheaper than you think!)

Planning

As wallpaper will look the best when hung according to the layout of your room, it is important to determine where to start wallpapering before anything else. If you’re going to wallpaper above the fireplace, you must start here. Find the middle of the fireplace and decide whether you want a piece of wallpaper on each side or whether you want this to be the middle of your first piece. If you don’t have a fireplace, or you’re not going to wallpaper it, you should start on the wall with the main window, working away from the window on either side. This will ensure the pattern will be the same either side of the window. Although this might cause an overlap in another area of the room, it will look better around the window. It will also prevent joins showing up more than necessary. As both sides of the wallpapering will have to meet somewhere, make sure it’s in a less conspicuous corner (for example, the corner behind the door). This will give a much better finish than when you start at one end of the window and wallpaper all the way round.

How to get started

Draw a plumbline to ensure the wallpaper will hang straight. You can hang a weight from a piece of string to mark the plumbline. Measure the height of the wall, adding about 100mm. This will help you hang the wallpaper, and after hanging, you can trim the excess paper.

Cut the paper with a sharp knife, for example a trimming knife. Now cut the next piece of wallpaper, making sure the pattern aligns with the pattern on the first piece of wallpaper. Then, after you’ve hung the first piece on the wall, the third piece can be cut, aligning the pattern again with the second piece, etc. This is the best way to prevent any major mistakes in cutting the paper!

Paste the first piece by (on one side) overlapping the edges of the table with the wallpaper. This will prevent paste from getting on your table on this end. Starting at the centre of the paper, work the paste to the overhanging end of the paper. Then move the paper up and hang it slightly over the edge at the other side of the table. Now paste this end of the paper. Carefully fold the pasted end of the paper before moving along and lining up the paper. This will help soak the paste into the paper and prevent any paste from sticking to your carpet! After pasting the other end, fold the end neatly to the already folded part, aligning the edges. Let it soak for a while in order to make the paper easier to work with and it will also ensure a better adhesion to the wall. While this is soaking, you can paste the second piece of wallpaper. Make sure however, that you keep an eye on the soaking times.

To hang your wallpaper, make sure you only unfold the end of your wallpaper that will reach the ceiling. Start hanging it along the plumbline. Make sure you do leave an overhang, so that you can trim along the ceiling later. While you’re hanging the paper, smooth it by using your dry hanging brush. Work towards the edges of the paper. Now you can unfold the bottom end of the paper and press it slightly against the wall, pushing any air bubbles out to the sides. You can now trim the overhang with a trimming knife.

The following pieces can now be lined up to match the pattern. It is best if the paper overruns slightly to the other wall. As the walls hardly ever will join at a straight angle, this will prevent any gaps. You will then have to double-check the next wall by drawing another plumbline. Now continue papering the wall.