How To Get Old Wallpaper Off

There's no shortcut for removing wallpaper. It's a messy and time-consuming job, but with the right tools, anyone can do it. There are a variety of techniques, and some will work better than others for your particular wall and wallpaper. Now let's get started.

What Type of Wallpaper?

There are three main types of wallpaper. The "strippable" type are designed to be easily removed without tearing or steam. More traditional wallpaper that is untreated and uncoated can usually be removed and scraped off after just getting it wet. The most difficult wallpaper to remove are those with a vinyl or laminated coating. These types of wallpapers are meant to be washable, therefore it's difficult for water to penetrate them.

What Type of Walls?

Homes built since the 1950s have walls that are constructed using drywall, whereas older homes have walls made of plaster over a wood, gypsum, or metal lathe. Removing wallpaper from drywall can be a bit trickier, as the drywall surface can bond to the wallpaper, making removal of the wallpaper nearly impossible without damaging the wall. Plaster-built walls usually don't have the same issue.

If you are unsure about what type of wall you have, remove a wall plate around a light switch and look at the exposed section of the wall. Drywall will be thinner and more uniform than plaster, which is usually troweled right up to the electrical box.

Even if your home is older, there could be drywall in place because of a recent remodel or renovation. It's always good to check before proceeding with wallpaper removal.

Remove the Wallpaper

Before removing your wallpaper, you must first prep the wall and room. Remove wall plates from light switches and outlets and tape over the outlet and switches to prevent water and moisture from getting on them.

Lay down a drop cloth or poly sheet to prevent wet wallpaper from ruining your floors. Tape over floorboards and wainscoting so you don't damage them during this process.

To remove older non-treated wallpaper, you can take a garden sprayer filled with water and wallpaper removal solution and apply it liberally to the wallpaper. Let the wallpaper soak for 15-20 minutes and then use a scraper or dull putty knife to start peeling away the paper.

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Coated wallpaper is more difficult to remove, as it is designed to not allow water to permeate it. The best solution to remove this type of wallpaper is to use a steamer.

Start by scoring the wallpaper using a wallpaper removal tool. This allows the steam to work into and behind the wallpaper. Then use a wallpaper steamer by holding it against the wall for 15 to 20 seconds, and then immediately use a scraper to lift the wallpaper away from the wall.

A large sponge and TSP can help remove any remnants of glue or wallpaper. Wait a day or two for your wall to completely dry before doing any repairs or painting.

Timothy Dahl DIY Editor Timothy is a lifelong DIY enthusiast who is fixated on smart home tech, beautiful tools, and wrenching on his FJ62 Land Cruiser.

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