Cover Up reveals the complete process of removing wallpaper and repairing walls, offering a step by step path to transform your space safely and efficiently.
The idea of refreshing a room is exciting, but removing old wallpaper can feel intimidating. Whether you bought a property with outdated wallcoverings, want a new look at home, or need to prepare the surface for fresh paint, this Cover Up guide was carefully prepared to demystify every stage.
Many homeowners worry about possible damage, especially on delicate surfaces such as drywall. With the right techniques, proper tools, and a bit of patience, you can remove wallpaper and carry out subsequent wall repair effectively, delivering a flawless result. Cover Up, your finishing specialist, will guide you from the initial assessment through the final touch ups, leaving your wall ready for the next project.
Assessing the Wallpaper Type and the Wall Condition
Before starting, a careful analysis is essential. Understanding the wallpaper type and the substrate beneath it saves time, effort, and prevents unnecessary damage.
Wallpaper Types: Know Your Opponent
Removable wallpaper, also called peel and stick: Usually the easiest to remove. It is designed to come off in large sections without leaving residue or damaging the surface.
- Vinyl or washable wallpaper: Has a waterproof vinyl top layer. That layer must be removed first so solutions can penetrate the paper backing and the paste.
- Traditional non washable wallpaper: Made of pure paper. It absorbs liquids easily but can be fragile and tear into small pieces.
- Pre pasted wallpaper: Comes with water activated adhesive. Removal is similar to traditional paper and requires saturation.
- Old wallpaper: Over time the paste can become extremely resilient and multiple layers may exist, requiring persistence.
The Wall Surface: What Is Underneath
- Drywall: The most common and also the most vulnerable. Without proper prep such as sealer or primer, wallpaper can bond to the outer paper of the drywall, making removal delicate and damage prone.
- Plaster: More resistant than drywall and generally tolerates more moisture and scraping.
- Masonry, such as skim coated brick or concrete: A robust surface that handles removal well.
- Painted wall: If the wall was properly sealed and primed before the wallpaper was applied, removal tends to be easier since paste does not penetrate directly into the substrate.
The Removal Test: A Non negotiable Step
Test before you tackle an entire wall. Choose a discreet area, for example behind furniture or near the baseboard. Gently lift a corner with a putty knife. Pull slowly. If it comes off in large pieces without damaging the wall, you likely have removable paper or a well primed surface.
If it tears or the wall surface begins to lift, you will need a more aggressive method with water and solution saturation. The test indicates the job’s difficulty and the precautions required.
Essential Tools and Materials for Removal
Being properly equipped is half the battle. Cover Up recommends the following items for efficient, safe wallpaper removal.
Room Protection
- Plastic drop cloths or canvas: Protect floors, furniture, and baseboards from water, remover, and paper scraps.
- Painter’s tape: Secure covers and protect outlets and switches.
Saturation Tools
- Spray bottle: For controlled application of warm water or remover solutions.
- Bucket: For mixing solutions and wetting sponges.
- Large sponges: For applying solution on larger areas and cleaning.
- Scoring tool: A hand tool with small spiked wheels that creates microperforations so solution penetrates. Use with extreme care on drywall to avoid puncturing the paper face.
Remover Solutions
- Warm water: Often enough for simpler papers.
- White vinegar: Budget friendly 50–50 water and vinegar solution that helps release paste.
- Mild dish soap: A few drops in warm water can boost performance.
- Commercial wallpaper remover: Specialty products formulated to break down paste. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Scraping Tools
- Drywall knives, 6 to 10 inches: Wide, flexible blades that help lift large sections without gouging the wall.
- Wall scrapers: Handy for corners and smaller areas.
- Razor blades or utility knife: For sectioning paper when needed.
Cleaning and Finishing
- Old towels or microfiber cloths: For wiping paste residue and drying the wall.
- Heavy duty trash bags: For debris.
- Step ladder: To reach upper sections safely.
Personal Protective Equipment
- Rubber gloves: Protect hands from solutions and water.
- Safety glasses: Essential against splashes and particles.
Preparing the Space: Safety and Protection
Preparation is about efficiency and protection.
- Protect floors and furniture: Cover all flooring with plastic or canvas. Remove furniture when possible or wrap it in plastic.
- Shut off power: Before spraying water or solutions, switch off the room’s circuit at the breaker. Remove outlet and switch plates. Use painter’s tape to mask the exposed mechanisms.
- Ventilation: Open windows and doors. If using chemical removers, ensure strong airflow.
- Trash at the ready: Keep open trash bags nearby to discard scraps immediately and avoid slips.
The Wallpaper Removal Process: Detailed Step by Step
With everything ready, start removal. Cover Up outlines different scenarios.
Removable Peel and Stick
Find a corner or edge and gently lift with your fingernail or a plastic scraper.
Pull slowly at a 45 degree angle toward you. If you feel resistance, slow down.
If adhesive remains on the wall, warm the area with a hair dryer on low to medium to soften the glue and continue.
Vinyl or Washable Wallpaper
- This requires removing two layers.
- Remove the vinyl face. Start at a corner and peel the vinyl layer downward. It should come off in large sheets, leaving the paper backing on the wall.
- Score the paper backing. Use the scoring tool to create tiny holes so solution can reach the paste. On drywall, apply minimal pressure.
- Saturate the wall. Using a spray bottle or sponge, apply a generous amount of remover solution, such as warm water with vinegar or detergent, or a commercial remover. Work in sections of 1 to 2 square meters. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Reapply if it begins to dry.
- Scrape the paper. With a drywall knife held at 30 to 45 degrees, slide the blade under the softened paper from the bottom up. Avoid excessive force and keep the surface damp while you scrape.
Traditional Paper Wallpaper
Although it absorbs well, removal can be more labor intensive. Optional scoring accelerates penetration. Use sparingly on drywall. Saturate generously. Apply the remover solution and let it work for 15 to 20 minutes until the paper is fully wet.
Scrape with your putty knife. If the area dries, reapply solution and wait again. Patience is essential. Small, well saturated sections are easier to remove.
Dealing with Old and Stubborn Wallpaper
Increase saturation time. Let the solution sit for 30 minutes or more, keeping it wet.
Use enzymatic removers if needed. Follow product directions.
Steamers can be very effective on old pastes. Heat a section, then scrape. On drywall, use extreme caution since excess steam can damage the gypsum core.
Cut into smaller panels with a utility knife to work more methodically.
Post Removal Cleaning: Eliminating Paste Residue
Even after all paper is off, paste often remains. Clean thoroughly.
Warm water with mild detergent: A few drops in a bucket of warm water.
Warm water with white vinegar: A 50–50 mix dissolves most residual paste.
Commercial paste remover: Use as directed.
Process: Wet a sponge with the chosen solution and scrub areas with residue. Let the solution sit for a few minutes to soften paste, then scrub again.
For stubborn spots: Use the putty knife gently or a soft bristle brush.
Rinse and dry: Wipe with a clean sponge dampened with plain water to remove cleaner residue. Allow the wall to dry completely for at least 24 hours before repair or paint. The wall should be smooth and no longer tacky.
Repairing the Wall After Wallpaper Removal
Removal rarely leaves a perfect surface. Small scratches, nail holes, or even drywall damage are common. Cover Up guides the restoration steps.
Evaluate Damage
With the wall clean and dry, inspect under good light.
Minor imperfections: Light scratches, small areas where the drywall paper face lifted, or trace amounts of paste.
Nail or screw holes: Common after removing decor.
Hairline cracks: Superficial or potentially structural. Structural cracks need professional evaluation.
Drywall damage: Torn paper face, dents, or deeper holes. This is the most common concern and needs care.
Common Wall Repairs
Most repairs can be done with joint compound or lightweight spackle.
Surface prep:
Lightly sand raised edges with fine grit paper, 180 to 220. Wipe dust away.
Where the drywall paper face is torn, sand loose edges and apply a thin coat of sealer or primer before compound. This stabilizes the surface and prevents uneven absorption.
Filling small holes and imperfections with spackle:
Apply a small amount with a putty knife. Press firmly and feather smooth to the surrounding surface.
Remove excess. Let dry fully according to the manufacturer, often a few hours.
Sand lightly with fine grit until smooth and flush. Clean the dust. Repeat if needed for a perfect finish.
Repairing larger damage or torn drywall with joint compound:
For shallow tears, apply several thin coats of joint compound with a wide knife, letting each coat dry, sanding between coats until smooth and even.
For larger holes or deeper cracks, use self adhesive mesh tape sized to extend beyond the damage.
Apply compound over the tape in thin layers. Let dry, sand, and repeat until the area is flat and invisible.
Primer or sealer application:
When all repairs are dry and sanded and the wall is dust free, apply a quality sealer or primer to the entire wall.
This step is critical. Primer evens out porosity, seals any tiny paste residue, improves paint adhesion, and hides minor flaws.
It is especially important for drywall that suffered surface damage since primer seals the exposed paper and prevents uneven paint absorption.
Let it dry completely as directed before painting.
When to Call a Cover Up Professional
While many repairs are DIY friendly, some situations demand professional expertise.
Extensive drywall damage: Large areas compromised or the substrate affected.
Deep or structural cracks: If cracks persist or extend beyond the surface, consult a professional.
Time or experience constraints: Removal and repair require time and patience. A pro delivers speed and quality.
Perfect results: For a flawless finish before new paint or new wallpaper, Cover Up provides the precision only years of experience can deliver.
Your Wall, A New Canvas
Wallpaper removal and subsequent wall repair may seem daunting at first, but as this Cover Up guide shows, it is entirely achievable with the right knowledge and tools.
You have learned how to assess wallpaper and substrates, prepare the space, apply specific removal techniques for each scenario, clean paste residue, and restore the integrity of your wall so it is ready for new paint or a stunning new wallcovering.
Cover Up believes in your potential to transform your home. With patience, attention to detail, and this guide in hand, you have everything you need for success. Your wall is now a blank canvas ready for the next expression of your creativity. If at any point you want a helping hand or a professional touch, remember that Cover Up is always here to deliver wall solutions with excellence.