Wallpapers are like fashion trends. Once stylish then, now they’re outdated. And they must go. But removing wallpaper is not easy as it looks. If you’re not too careful, you may damage your wall. If you have to repaint your bathroom walls, the old wallpaper should be on the way out.
Getting rid of wallpaper from the bathroom walls can be tricky. Some wallpapers – especially layers and layers of wallpaper – are stubborn to deal with, especially in a small room. If you need wallpaper removal to fix your bathroom, you may need extra help, or you can do it on your own, as long as you stock up on the right tools and follow the proper procedures.
Procedure:
It’s essential to identify the type of wallpaper you currently have to help you determine the right tools to remove it.
Strippable wallpaper – There’s no denying that removing wallpaper is a pain. Fortunately, manufacturers considered this recently, so newer wallpapers on the market can be relatively easy to remove. If your wallpaper is pretty new, it’s most likely strippable wallpaper. You can remove it without water, chemicals, or special tools. If the wallpaper is stubborn, you may need a razor knife to do the job. You may need a step ladder to help you reach higher walls.
Peelable wallpaper – Peelable wallpaper (also called temporary wallpaper) consists of a vinyl face and a paper-based adhesive backing. It can come off as easily as strippable wallpaper. Peeling it off leaves only the backing. You’ll need the following tools to remove this type of wallpaper successfully:
- Liquid stripper concentrate – The purpose of liquid stripper concentrate is to soften the glue so that you can remove the wallpaper. Mix this product with hot water following label instructions.
- Broad brush or sprayer – Apply the liquid stripper concentrate using a broad brush or a sprayer—work from the ceiling down, one section at a time.
- Plastic scraper – Once the liquid stripper concentrate has softened the wallpaper after a few minutes, use the plastic scraper to strip it away.
- Scoring tool or coarse sandpaper – If the wallpaper can’t absorb the stripper, use a scoring tool or coarse sandpaper to scuff the surface. Dampen the wallpaper again, let it soak for 30 minutes, and then try scraping again.
Washable wallpaper – Washable wallpapers are ideal for areas with high humidity, such as the bathroom. They come with a specific coating, such as waterproof resin, plastic, lacquer, or vinyl, making them easy to wash and clean without damaging their appearance. But they can be difficult to remove! To remove washable wallpaper, you’ll need the following tools:
- Scoring tool – Use this tool to break through the coating, making tiny holes or slits in the wallpaper for the water to enter.
- Spray bottle or pump sprayer – Soak the wallpaper with water using these tools. Aim your spray bottle or pump sprayer at the holes or slits you’ve made with the scoring tool. Wait for about 10 minutes until the wallpaper is completely soaked.
- Putty knife – After about 10 minutes of soaking, scrape the wallpaper with this tool.
Removing wallpaper with a wallpaper steamer
For washable or old wallpapers (especially layers of them), it may need steam-stripping. You can buy a wallpaper steamer or (better yet) rent or borrow one.
Call Custom Painting, Inc. for professional help!
Removing old wallpaper in your bathroom – or any other room – is indeed a lot of work. It can be a tedious process and take a bit of time. One wall may take a few hours to finish the removal, so how many hours would it take if you had the entire room? If you need wallpaper removal to fix your bathroom but don’t have time or patience, consider hiring professionals from Custom Painting, Inc.!
Custom Painting, Inc. is a licensed and insured painting service company servicing the Bay Area cities for over 40 years. Along with residential and commercial painting, we also do other work ranging from custom molding installation to popcorn ceiling removal to wallpaper removal. If you need some work done for your home and business, let us know if you need wallpaper removal so that we can include it in our bid. Call us at 925-294-8062 or send an online form to set up an appointment with our estimator.
