How to tear wallpaper off the walls if it won”t come off

It can be quite annoying to struggle to get rid of outdated wallpaper, especially if it appears to be adhered to the walls. It can seem like an interminable task, whether you’re dealing with wallpaper that won’t come off, multiple layers, or adhesives that are difficult to remove.

But fear not—there are useful strategies to make this task simpler. You can clear those walls and get ready for a new beginning if you have the correct equipment and a little know-how. This post will discuss practical methods for removing even the hardest-to-remove wallpaper.

Problem Solution
Wallpaper won"t peel off Use a wallpaper scraper to gently lift the edges. Apply a wallpaper remover solution to loosen the adhesive.
Adhesive residue remains Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap and apply it to the residue. Scrub gently with a sponge or cloth.
Wallpaper is too stubborn Try steaming the wallpaper using a wallpaper steamer. This helps soften the adhesive, making it easier to remove.
Wall surface is damaged Fill in any holes or imperfections with joint compound once the wallpaper is removed. Sand the area smooth before painting or applying new wallpaper.

Why is it necessary to remove old coating?

It is important to note right away that in older apartments and private homes, it is preferable to simply soak the top layer of wallpaper, remove it, and then glue new material to the remaining paper. Since the walls in these kinds of rooms are thin and uneven, leveling the surfaces and installing soundproofing measures will be necessary if you remove all of the previous wallpaper.

It is advised to remove the content in every other situation. This is essential because the new layer might become uneven if the wallpaper is not torn off. Products of all kinds will display this kind of relief. Furthermore, it’s critical to keep in mind that material layers cannot be adhered to indefinitely. This pie will eventually get so thick and heavy that it will just slide off the surface.

Furthermore, fungi or mold could start growing beneath the fresh coating. This could be detrimental to the inhabitants’ health in addition to having a negative impact on the walls’ appearance.

What tools to use in problematic cases

It is advised to get one of the following sets of tools ready before tearing off any wallpaper that you were unable to remove with water and a spatula:

  • a wallpaper tiger (a roller with a long handle and metal spikes on the head) and means to soften the glue of the factory or home manufacture;
  • steam generator or iron with a steaming function;
  • an electric drill with a grinding circle or a special machine, you can use hand graters with sandpaper.

In every situation, an adhesive tape and a plastic film are required to safeguard the furniture and floor.

Preparatory work

There are a few things you should do before ripping the wallpaper off. First things first: everything that could hinder or negatively impact work, including furniture, is taken out of the building. Large interior items can be kept, but it’s best to cover them with plastic wrap afterwards. To prevent slipping, the floor should also be covered with a film and have cardboard or newspapers placed on top.

The front panels of the switches and sockets must then be removed. The room is de-energized if the lights work on their own; if not, adhesive tape must be used to seal the wall holes. It is worthwhile to take out all of the fasteners because that will make tearing off the wallpaper easier.

Prior to beginning work, you must remove any coating that has come off easily or has come off because of moisture or other factors.

Don’t panic if the wallpaper won’t come off; there are easy ways to simplify the procedure. This post will walk you through a variety of efficient methods for removing obstinate wallpaper, such as using warm water and vinegar solutions or specialized tools, so you can complete the job without causing any damage to your walls.

Using a steam generator

The wallpaper can be swiftly removed from the wall if you have one of these tools on hand. This can be accomplished by adding water to the container, waiting for the device to heat up, attaching the outlet nozzle to the wall, and applying steam to a small area. Using a spatula, begin peeling off the material while it’s still warm. In extremely tough situations, it is advised to injure the coating with a knife or a hard metal brush prior to removing it to allow the steam to more effectively penetrate the wallpaper layer. The same idea applies to using an iron that has a steaming feature.

Using a regular iron is slightly more challenging. This can be accomplished by wetting the rag with water, pressing it against the wall, and pressing it with a heated object. It is required to hold the iron for a brief period of time, take it off, and then rip off the processed area fast.

Vital! In this case, since we are working with heating electrical appliances, you should wear personal protective equipment, such as a respirator, and adhere to safety protocols.

It will be fairly easy to remove the wallpaper from the wall after using these devices. However, the steam will seep through and condense, so it is advised to dry the walls before proceeding with any finishing work.

Using grinding machines

Using such devices to remove the coating will be challenging. It is preferable to employ a different technique if the wallpaper is not adhered tightly.

  1. If a drill is used, it is necessary to fix a circle to clean the surfaces on it, it usually looks like a metal brush. Then put on a respirator, turn on the device at weak speeds and lean the nozzle against the wall. Some people press the tool too tightly so that the coating comes off better, but this is wrong – it is more difficult to work this way and there is a risk of damaging the plaster underneath the material.
  2. Instead of a drill, grinding machines are also used, they are cheaper and simpler. You should work with them in the same way as with a drill.
  3. It is very difficult to work with hand tools. It may take several days to process one room, so their use is advisable only in extreme cases.

This is the final analysis:

Although removing tenacious wallpaper can be difficult, you can complete the task quickly if you have the correct equipment and methods. Be persistent whether you use a steam stripper or the easy method of soaking and scraping.

Keep your furniture and floors safe, and take your time going through each section. Don’t be afraid to extend the steaming time or reapply your selected solution if you come across particularly difficult areas.

You can quickly prepare your walls for a new look with a little elbow grease and careful planning.

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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