Removing Non Vinyl Wallpaper

A steamer uses boiling water to soften the glue between the wallpaper and the wall.

Removing non vinyl wallpaper.

Use spackle or sandable filler to patch any nicks or gouges in the wall. Start by peeling off the vinyl from the paper backing. That way the backing will easily soak up water making the rest of the wallpaper removal faster and easier. The best way to remove wallpaper whether you re stuck dealing with temporary strippable or vinyl wallpapers we ve got the easiest methods to bring them down and bare your walls once again.

Wipe the walls with the cleaning solution rinse with a sponge and clean water and towel dry. Using either a putty knife or a specially designed wallpaper scraping tool try to lift off the wallpaper in one of the top corners of a wall. Once the paper is soaked you can scrape it away from the wall. It s not hard but be prepared for a mess.

Removing the paper is as simple as prying up a corner and pulling at a 10 to 15 degree angle. If you are having trouble removing the vinyl from the top try working from the bottom up. Often the vinyl wallpaper has a grain. For the majority of wallpaper removal projects you ll need to apply a hot water solution to the paper and adhesive backing in order to reactivate the adhesive and allow the paper to come off of the wall.

After a few tries you might see that the top layer of the paper can actually come off on its. Next spray liquid wallpaper remover onto the remaining paper then use a trowel to spread the liquid over the paper so it soaks in thoroughly. Vinyl papers like the ones used in bathrooms and kitchens may even repel water. Pull off the facing.

The paper will pull away easily in one direction and tear in the opposite direction. The point is to remove the top layer of paper and leave the backing on the wall. Do this step without using any water to begin the old wallpaper removal process. Removing vinyl wallpaper can be a very difficult job if you don t take it off in the correct way.

Hgtv expert steve watson shows how to remove vinyl wallpaper. Vinyl wallpaper will often create a big mess when you try and remove it from the wall using conventional methods. After removing the wallpaper clean and remove the excess adhesive by applying a solution of hot water and a small amount of trisodium phosphate tsp. Some types of wallpaper are more soluble than others.

It may come away in small strips or the vinyl may become soft making it harder to strip off of the wall. It may work better. Washable vinyl wallpaper is a durable and easy to clean wall covering found in many homes. Rent a steamer instead of purchasing one since this is not a job you will do very often.

If you are removing vinyl coated wallpaper with a steamer you still have to use a scoring tool to punch holes in the paper so the steam can reach the glue.