Wallpaper Removal Mistakes

5 Common Wallpaper Removal Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When renovating your home, one of the most common projects you may be interested in is wallpaper removal. This outdated protection can cover up the beautiful walls of your house, but it can also cause wallpaper removal mistakes if it’s not removed correctly.

While many folks think about the cost or trouble of taking down that old paper, it’s important to learn about the biggest mistake you can make when removing it. 

So, what’s the proper way to remove wallpaper? Fortunately, we’re here to help. Here is a quick guide to avoiding removal mishaps.

1. Not Preparing the Surface

Failing to properly prepare the surface before painting is one of the most common wallpaper removal mistakes made by novice painters. Not only does this result in an uneven paint job, but it can also lead to paint chips and peeling down the road. 

This means cleaning the surface to remove any dirt, dust, or grease, and sanding it down to create a smooth surface to the paint to adhere to. When taking shortcuts in the surface preparation process, you are setting yourself up for a less-than-perfect paint job.

2. Not Using the Right Tools

It is important to take the time to select the right tool for the job at hand, and to learn how to use it properly. Even complex tasks can be completed quickly and easily with the right tools.

It is important to hire a wallpaper repair service if you don’t have the right tools in removing wallpaper. This can avoid costly mistakes down the line.

3. Not Wetting the Wallpaper Enough

Not wetting the wallpaper enough is an important rule when applying new wallpaper. If you don’t wet the wallpaper enough, it will not stick to the wall properly and could start to peel.

If you don’t wet it enough, the paste will not be activated and will not adhere to the wall as well. So make sure you always wet your wallpaper well before you apply it to the wall!

4. Rushing the Removal Process

It’s essential to take the time to thoroughly assess the situation and develop a plan that will minimize the possibility of problems. This may require bringing in outside experts or taking other measures to ensure that everything is done correctly.

The rushing wallpaper removal process can also lead to a less than satisfactory result in terms of the aesthetics of the finished product. Rushed jobs are often obvious and can make a space look sloppy or unfinished.

5. Not Repairing the Wall After

If you don’t repair the wall after removing the wallpaper, you’re likely to end up with an uneven surface. To avoid this, use a putty knife to fill in any holes or cracks before beginning the removal process.

Once the wallpaper is off, sand the wall smoothly and paint or re-wallpaper as desired.

Learn More About Wallpaper Removal Mistakes

Wallpaper removal can be a tricky and messy process, but avoiding wallpaper removal mistakes will help make the job go more smoothly.

Be sure to score the wallpaper before removal, use a scraper or steamer instead of a chemical stripper, and be patient when removing multiple layers of wallpaper. With a little care and preparation, your wallpaper removal project will be a success.

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