HOW TO REMOVE RESIDENTIAL WALLPAPER
Before you start to remove any wallpaper, you will want to prepare the room for removal first because this will likely be a messy job. First, you want to remove any pictures, furniture, and everything else you can from the room. You should also unscrew any fixtures like electrical outlet covers and grates. Be sure to keep them in a box or plastic bag so you don’t lose anything. Be sure to lay some plastic sheeting on the floor because water might be used for the walls during the removal process. Finally, don’t forget to turn off the power to the room.
Next is the removal process. Start in a corner and use a putty knife to scrape away at the wallpaper. Sometimes it will be easy to remove the wallpaper. If it is hard to remove, try filling a spray bottle with hot water and spray away at the stubborn areas. Use a putty knife to scrape away everything. No wallpaper or backing should be left.
You will then need to scrape away all of the glue. Use a putty knife to scrape away every bit of glue that you can. If the wall is sticky when you touch it, there is still glue on the wall. If you are unable to remove it all with a putty knife, some gel stripper should do the trick. Spray the stubborn areas and let them sit for about 15-20 minutes, then use the putty knife to continue scraping away. When the glue is removed, you will then need to remove the gel. Dip a sponge into some clean, wet water and squeeze it out so it is damp but not dripping. Wipe away from top to bottom and let it dry.
You will need to wait about 12 hours to do the next step. If there are uneven surfaces, patch them with spackling paste. Add the pasta and then use a putty knife to scrape away so the area is smooth. After the paste dries, use sandpaper to smooth out any uneven areas. When the walls are smooth, apply primer to the walls. Acrylic primer is used if you plan on applying wallpaper and paint primer is used if you plan on painting the wall.
