There are two main methods of removing existing wallpaper and the layers of lining paper underneath. The first is by hand: if the wallpaper will not pull away, or the backing vapour is damaged, give it a good soaking with warm water with a little washing-up liquid and a handful of cellulose paste mixed well together. The washing-up liquid acts as a wetting agent and the paste holds the warm moisture in place while it softens the existing adhesive. Apply the solution to the wall with a wide brush or a roller and give it plenty of time to soak in.
Use a scraper and start peeling off the wallpaper. If it had a wipe-clean surface, or has been painted over, then you'll need to break up the surface by scoring it with a serrated scraper and then wetting it.
Don't be tempted to use a wire brush - you'll end up with tiny rolls of wet paper that will dry like concrete on the wall plaster and you might also get rust posts on the surface of the new wallpaper.
Steam Stripping
The second method of stripping wallpaper is steam stripping. This is best where layers of paper have been added on top of each other. Don't try using a boiling kettle and an old steam iron; not only is this dangerous, but it also doesn't work. Steam strippers can be hired easily and cheaply from tool-hire stores and are simple to use. Steam stripping is best done on a dry day when you can open the windows - otherwise you'll end up with a sauna in your house. Remember that the steam is hot, so wear gloves at all times. While steam stripping is quicker than doing it by hand, you'll still need to work slowly and carefully, especially if there is any loose plaster around, as even the lightest of steamers can gouge into the wall. The technique is to hold the plate close to the wall and allow the combination of heat and steam to soften the paste. This way - in theory - you should be able to scrape away several layers in one go. In practice, however, be prepared to steam over the walls again - particularly where strips of paper have been overlapped.
Previous
