How to remove wallpaper from walls - ways to quickly remove old wallpaper. How to quickly remove old wallpaper of different types from walls How to wash wallpaper off a wall

In the process of changing the interior, before gluing a new topcoat, the question arises of how to remove the old wallpaper as quickly and efficiently as possible, using the tools and means at hand. Depending on the glue used and the wall material, not all sheets will come off easily and will have to be peeled off, applying some effort in those places where the sheet is firmly glued. It is necessary to carefully remove old wallpaper from the walls, as they will not be a solid foundation for new layers - under the influence of moisture old glue It will simply unevenly lag behind the base.

First stage

Very often at home you need to decide quickly, so as not to delay renovation work and associated inconveniences in living rooms. In handling wallpaper material exist certain rules, allowing you to predict the result and remove old wallpaper from the wall, choosing the method that is easier than others.

Effect of glue

If you have to remove old paper wallpaper from a surface plastered with ordinary cement composition (followed by putty and primer), and if you have also used normal look wallpaper glue, the procedure will not take much time. If the canvas is strong enough, water will soften the dried layer in a few minutes and you can quickly remove the old wallpaper in almost whole sheets. This is due to the fact that the adhesive compositions roll materials made from starch with various additives. They quickly become liquid, even after many years at sufficient quantity moisture.

Example of declared main binders and additives in adhesives for various types wallpapers are given in the table:

Here's how to quickly peel off old wallpaper from concrete putty walls, after pre-wetting (photo):

More difficult option, how to tear off thin wallpaper from the wall, which was once glued with PVA, CMC, wood glue or Bustilat. In this case, removing old wallpaper turns out to be a very labor-intensive process, since the whole canvas cannot be peeled off evenly.

For all these cases, there are proven ways to clean the wall and remove paper wallpaper, not only Soviet-made, the use of which greatly facilitates the dismantling of old wallpaper of any kind (paper, liquid).

Preparation

To begin removing old wallpaper from walls yourself requires careful preparation. Then all stages of the process will pass quickly and easily. To do this you need:

If possible, completely remove the furniture from the room (the remaining items are covered with film or matting);
cover the floor with film/oilcloth;
turn off the electricity at sockets and switches (seal with polyethylene and tape);
make a barrier from dirt and dust to other rooms (wet rags in doorways):
Prepare all the necessary tools at the work site so as not to waste time searching.

While it is unknown how the sheets will be torn off (entirely or in small fragments), it is better to prepare a wide range of available tools, auxiliary materials and personal protective equipment.

Approximate list necessary equipment looks like that:

ladder;
hard spatulas, sharp scrapers of various widths, metal brush;
construction knife;
sponge, rags, roller, sprayer, bucket of warm water;
gloves, glasses, hat, comfortable clothes;
garbage bags/bags.

Warm water allows you to remove wallpaper faster than cold liquid, actively softening the glue and paper base of the rolls. After this, they are conveniently removed with a regular spatula, as in this photo:

The main work is with a spatula

In the event that it is necessary to peel off vinyl products, it is preferable to prepare additional tools before peeling off the old wallpaper:

steam generator;
needle roller or wallpaper tiger;
liquid special product for cleaning walls from wallpaper.

In the absence of a steam generator, craftsmen use an iron and a piece of fabric to heat the surface layers.

If previously used quality materials, the pasted sheets cannot simply be torn off. At the same time, the coating must not be allowed to come off, damaging the base (plaster, wood or concrete wall, drywall).

This is especially true in old buildings and apartments. The materials will crumble, crumble, holes and cavities will remain, which means you will have to spend additional time and money on leveling (putty, primer) the walls for a new topcoat. It is better to spend some time removing the wallpaper without applying excessive force to the surface of the walls.

Wallpaper removal technique

For each type of roll finishing coating there is the most the best way, how to quickly remove old wallpaper from walls, without significant damage to the base (if it is in good condition). Wallpaper products are removed faster or slower depending on the base on which it is applied. front layer. It can be paper or non-woven (modified cellulose). The front surface can also be paper (non-woven) or washable waterproof film. It is necessary to determine the type of product before peeling off the wallpaper using the chosen method.

You can see paper or other types of wallpaper from walls using a combination of conventional tools in this video:

Paper

With a hygroscopic front covering, the sheets are removed by mechanical action after abundant wetting (moisture penetrates the entire area in order to remove the old paper wallpaper). It takes from 5 minutes to 7 minutes for photo wallpaper to be absorbed into thin paper stamps. For a product made of 2 layers, this process will take about 10 minutes.

After large areas (80%) have already been torn off, the remaining (20%) paper delamination is removed from individual fragments, as in this photo:

Before removing the residues, re-wet them with warm water.

Washable

Before tearing off wallpaper that does not allow moisture to pass through, it is necessary to make cuts on its entire surface that penetrate the film, or pierce holes with a needle roller.

After this treatment, the wall is moistened with water from a sprayer or manually with a sponge. After 15 minutes, the dried glue will swell and the old wallpaper will begin to peel away from the wall. Then they will be removed according to the same principle as their paper counterparts were torn off.

If the glue is not sufficiently dissolved, moistening should be repeated several times at 15-minute intervals.

Vinyl

Vinyl products are a structure made of a polymer outer layer (polyvinyl chloride) on a paper base. Thanks to this combination, they are not only easy to glue, but they are also durable and perfectly protect wall materials from the internal moisture of some rooms of the house. In addition to this, the top polymer coating may have different (additionally given by the manufacturer) characteristics: decorative with silk thread, textured, foamed, chemically resistant to solvents, therefore vinyl sheets Wallpaper is not always easy to remove with plain water, like paper sheets.

To ensure access of water to the adhesive layer, you need to treat the entire surface of the wall with a wallpaper tiger without any gaps, as in this photo:

Using a sprayer, a rag, or a roller, moisten 1 sheet, every 5 minutes - 2, 3 sheets, and so on. Using a spatula, pry up the upper cut of the wallpaper strip and smoothly pull it down. The remaining small pieces of base are re-wetted and moved to the 2nd strip. After the 3rd sheet is removed, you need to return to the place where you started work and remove the remaining scraps by hand with a spatula.

The next three stripes are passed in a similar order. A simple sequence of how to remove old wallpaper, combining the time to soak up the water and the operation to strip the wallpaper, takes approximately 30 minutes to 45 minutes.

When repair deadlines are very tight, you can solve the problem of how to remove wallpaper from the walls by using a special steam remover or wallpaper removing liquid.

Steam puller

A specialized device consisting of a perforated steam-generating sole and a container of water. Can be powered either by electricity or heat bottled gas. Steam has increased penetrating power compared to water, and, thanks to this property, a steam stripper significantly saves the time spent quickly removing the old coating.

As correctly quickly shown in this photo:

An industrially manufactured steam generator is much more effective than folk devices such as a household iron, which steamed the glue from the panels being removed by ironing the walls through a damp cloth.

Liquid for removing wallpaper from walls

Chemical compounds with a special formulation quickly penetrate through the structure of the wallpaper to the hardened glue. These products do not contain substances hazardous to health and can be used indoors in the presence of people. Prepare the solution strictly according to the factory instructions. You can enhance the effect by mixing the composition with wallpaper glue. The resulting jelly-like mass is applied in a continuous layer to the walls, and after about 3 hours the wallpaper takes on its appearance.

The popular recipe for chemical additives in water suggests adding vinegar, a synthetic detergent or conditioner used when washing clothes. To do this, you need to dissolve 2 tablespoons of any of these products in boiling water, and then apply it to the old wallpaper. Next, he took it and tore it off.

But in the case of removing the coating, this is not always true. Therefore, to make your work easier, you need to know ways how to easily remove old wallpaper from walls. And you will have to remove them before applying new ones.

What if they are not deleted?

Suppose it looks reliable, but where is the guarantee that it will not come off under the influence of the considerable weight of the new layer in its wet state when sticking on. It is also likely that old stains from the previous layer will appear on the new one. And if mold has settled under the worn-out finish, should it be allowed to continue to flourish? If you get rid of only the easily removable areas, leaving the difficult to remove areas, you will end up with bumps and depressions. But perhaps there will be fans of this design.

Preparing your workspace

For efficient work It is necessary to create appropriate conditions in the room:

Take out the furniture. Cover the rest with film or an unnecessary rag.
So that after deleting old paintings there was no need to scrape the floor for a long time and persistently - it was covered with film, attaching it masking tape to the baseboards.
If you plan to use water during removal, it is better to turn off the electricity or use film to cover sockets and switches, attaching it with tape. This operation is mandatory, otherwise a short circuit or electric shock may make the issue of removing the old coating from the walls irrelevant.
To prevent dirt from being dragged around the apartment, you should lay a damp cloth at the threshold.
It is necessary to prepare a set of tools in advance so as not to be distracted by searching for missing equipment later.

What tools are needed?

First of all, you should get two spatulas, with a narrow and a wide blade. Of course, with sharp edges. Wallpaper remover (called the same in the store) will come in handy, but warm water is enough. A good helper there will be a household steam generator. When perforating the canvases to be removed, you will need a knife, and a needle roller will also come in handy. You cannot do without a container for water, a sponge, and a paint roller.

How to remove an old layer of wallpaper from walls, taking into account their appearance

First of all, it is necessary to determine what type of coating is being removed and what kind of glue was used to apply it. Depending on this, the following procedure is outlined:

Paper types can be easily removed using a solution prepared from a small amount of glue that was used to stick them on, dissolved in a bucket of warm water. But if there is no glue, water is enough. The surface of the coating is cut in many places and moistened with solution or water. You don’t need to wet all the fabrics at once; 2-3 strips are enough. After 5-10 minutes the paper will swell and tear it off. The remaining areas are removed with a narrow spatula. After removing the stripes, it is advisable to go over the walls with a wide spatula to complete removal traces of coating.
Vinyl models consist of two layers: a paper layer and a front vinyl layer. The main thing is to get to the paper base. This is usually done using a roller with needles, passing it over the surface. Then, 3 sheets are wetted at intervals of 5 minutes. Returning to the 1st canvas, use a spatula to pry up the upper edge and remove it with a smooth movement. Wet the remaining areas again and begin dismantling strip 2. After removing 3 strips, remove the remaining scraps with a spatula and begin dismantling the next three strips. It takes an average of 10 minutes to process a strip using this method.
Non-woven. This type is in many ways similar to the previous type, so they are removed using a similar technology.
. This type is glued with moisture-resistant glue, so it will not be possible to remove them by soaking. You can't do without a toothed roller and a scraper. They make cuts and then wet the entire surface. It is necessary that more water be under the wallpaper. After some time, after the surface has dried, you can try to remove them. If the attempt is unsuccessful, you will have to use a steam generator, or if you don’t have one, use a steam iron. After steaming, the strips will be removed quickly and easily.
. Usually they are simply washed off after generous wetting. But if they are made like decorative plaster, it’s easier to remove them with an industrial hair dryer or a grinding machine. It is, of course, acceptable to scrape it manually with a scraper and spatula after soaking. The effect of water is enhanced by adding a primer. After 10 minutes of getting wet, you can take up the spatula.

How to remove old wallpaper from drywall walls

Because the upper layer Drywall should not be damaged; this will complicate the removal of the old coating. If the surface of the drywall is puttied, you should apply special means, dissolving glue. To wet the wallpaper to be removed, use a minimum of water so as not to damage the drywall.

The easiest way to remove the coating from bare drywall is to use an inexpensive adhesive. When applied, it does not dry out for a long time, so the wallpaper swells well and is simply removed with a spatula. The glue can be replaced with a primer, which will allow you to prime the drywall at the same time.

To increase the effectiveness of the liquid for removing wallpaper, you should add wallpaper glue to it. 3 hours after applying the resulting jelly-like mass to the coating, the canvas will begin to peel off in large areas.

The process of wallpaper coming off after getting wet is accelerated by adding 2 tablespoons of any detergent or fabric softener to the water.

If you first heat them with a steam generator and then wet them, this will make them easier to dismantle.

The coating remover should be washed off immediately after removing it, without allowing it to dry.

After dismantling the covering, the walls must be treated (especially in damp rooms) with antiseptics and fungus-killing agents.

Alternative

Knowing how to quickly clean walls of old paintings , It’s not difficult to estimate how much time and expense this will require. If we also take into account the costs of preparing walls for subsequent repairs, it may turn out that plasterboard cladding will be more appropriate. Although this option is more expensive, it will save time and effort with a guaranteed high-quality result.

The cleaner you remove the old wallpaper, the easier it will be for you to work with the surface later. Carrying out a full-scale renovation or minor interior transformations involves the question of how to quickly remove wallpaper from the walls with minimal time and physical costs. For most, this task is overwhelming. This is largely due to the lack necessary knowledge and common mistakes made at the initial stage. In fact, you can deal with removing old wallpaper from walls faster.

All types of techniques that allow you to quickly remove old wallpaper can be divided into several categories. The first includes tools that allow you to remove the old wall covering within an hour. Unfortunately, they are used reluctantly. If we are talking about thin wallpaper, then in some houses they prefer to leave them. Simply put, it is easier to apply a new coating over the old one. Experienced builders do not recommend doing this.

It is necessary to take into account where you have to remove the old finishing material - from concrete, wooden walls or from drywall

And they justify their point of view with compelling reasons:

When drying, old wallpaper tends to stretch, which will certainly damage the structure of the new layer. If the old wallpaper is not removed, the room will soon need new renovations.
The presence of even a small amount of dust on old wallpaper can easily cause a disruption in the structure of the new wallpaper - bubbles will appear.
Traces of mold, scuffs and other dirt will affect the appearance new wallpaper.
If old wallpaper is pasted on top of concrete walls, it must be removed. This is why this is done. In most cases, modern glue is made on the basis of water, which can soften the structure of old wallpaper. Simply put, 2-layer wall covering will fall off after a few weeks.

From the above list it is not difficult to understand that the old wall covering must be torn off. Otherwise, the new layer will not last long. The information on the wallpaper packaging label will provide invaluable assistance in this matter.

Reading the information on the label: how to easily remove old wallpaper from walls

Not everyone knows that the data provided by the manufacturer will help significantly speed up the process. Even at the purchasing stage, you can choose a type of wallpaper that will not cause problems if removed.

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Removing wallpaper from walls is an important and critical stage of repair work.

If the label has been preserved, you must carefully study the information provided there.

Depending on the structure and type of wallpaper, they can be removed in one of the following ways:

Complete removal without extra effort;
Can be removed only after pre-moistening;
Complete or partial delamination upon removal;
When removed, the embossing does not change;
Double wallpaper with embossed top layer.

Studying the information indicated on the packaging of the tubes can make removing old wallpaper a less labor-intensive process. Rolls with the possibility of complete removal subject to slight wetting will cause the least problems. The situation is more complicated with wallpaper that peels off when removed. If you don’t want to spend several hours peeling off the old layer, then it’s better to choose the appropriate “clothes” for the walls.

Classics are always in fashion: how to remove wallpaper from walls

In order for gluing of new wallpaper to go without problems, you need to use a narrow and wide spatula, the edges of which are as sharp as possible.

The surface of the wallpaper is moistened with water and left for some time. After this, the old coating is removed using a spatula.

In addition, you should purchase a solution at a hardware store that allows you to peel off the old layer. If you cannot find one, it is recommended to use warm water.

Several well-proven devices can significantly speed up the wallpaper removal process. If you read the reviews, then it is better to make a choice in favor of a “wallpaper tiger” or a roller with installed needles. A steam mop will come in handy.

In addition, you need to have one of the following tools in your arsenal:

Scotch tape for painting;
Polyethylene film;
Bucket with warm water;
Paint roller;
Several sponges.

The right tools will help you quickly remove old wallpaper. Regardless of the characteristics of the canvas, you should always have a “wallpaper game” and a bucket of warm water with a sponge in your arsenal. As additional funds masking tape, rollers, etc. are used.

Preparatory work or how to remove old wallpaper

To ensure that the ongoing construction and installation work does not cause a full-scale renovation, care must be taken to protect the surrounding area. Before removing the old layer, you need to remove the carpet and protect flooring. Washable films that are attached to the baseboard will help with this. Masking tape is used as an additional film retainer.

If necessary, the joints of the film can be sealed with tape. You need to cover the entire floor, securing the film at the baseboards with masking tape

The further procedure at the stage of preparing the room for removing the old layer of wallpaper is as follows:

Carefully seal all switches and sockets with masking tape;
Remove all particularly valuable objects from the premises;
Make sure you have the necessary tools at hand.

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Properly organized and executed preparatory stage reduces temporary and labor costs. Cleaning the walls will not cause a full-scale cleaning if you take care in advance to protect the floor and objects located in the immediate vicinity.

Hygienic methods: how to quickly remove old wallpaper from walls

Regardless of the structure of the wallpaper, it is better to tear it off after slight moisture. A warm water solution is used for this. It is applied to the surface using a paint roller. The bet on warm water has a physically justified justification. Firstly, old layers come off much faster. Secondly, the amount of dust generated is reduced. Thirdly, the plaster does not fall off.

Liquid for removing wallpaper at home greatly helps make repairs easier.

This remedy is prepared at home. To do this, you need a bucket of warm water and a wallpaper remover.

You can purchase it at a construction and repair supply store. If you can’t find one, you can simply use warm water.

The procedure in this case is as follows:

The water temperature is at least 25-27 degrees Celsius;
Apply to the surface using a spray;
After application, at least 10-15 minutes should pass;
This time is quite enough for water to penetrate into the structure of the wallpaper;
If you do not wet it strongly enough, the water will dry out quickly and there will be no effect;
Excessive moistening would also be a mistake, because in this case the switch, sockets and floor will be flooded;
If this is not enough, then you need to repeat the application;
After this, you can pick up a sharp spatula and clean the surface of the wall;

Water is not only the source of life on the planet, but also effective way removing old wallpaper. A solution is prepared using a bucket of warm water and a substance that you need to buy in a specialized store. It doesn't matter if you couldn't find it. It is enough to apply warm water to the old layer using a sprayer so that it softens in 15-20 minutes.

We do everything ourselves or how to remove wallpaper quickly

Throughout the work, it is necessary to check that the walls are being cleaned of old layers of wallpaper evenly. Otherwise, you will have to literally chew off the old paper with your teeth. A gradual transition from one area to another will help reduce the likelihood of unpleasant developments. If the first time it was not possible to tear off part of the layer, then re-wetting is necessary.

First of all, you need to soak the canvas. To do this, they can be treated with a foam roller soaked in water, a sponge, or sprayed with water.

Take off It’s easy to remove old trim installed with regular wallpaper glue from a plastered surface. It's harder to deal with the thin ones paper wallpaper, glued to PVA or paste. To ensure that removing old wallpaper from the walls does not cause you any trouble, we will consider options for dismantling the main types of finishes: paper, non-woven, liquid basis, and also with vinyl covering.

Getting rid of Soviet wallpaper - water and special tools

The most difficult thing is to remove old wallpaper from Soviet-style walls, and everyone who has tried to do this at least once will agree with this statement. There are several reasons for this. The structure of the wallpaper, the use of durable CMC, Bustilat, PVA wood glue, which “tightly” glue the rolls. It is impossible to rip off the wallpaper in one piece; it peels off in small sections. The dismantling process is complicated by old wallpaper pasted on top of each other in several layers and on newspaper. This finish has to be removed in layers.

To quickly remove old wallpaper from walls, prepare the following set of materials and tools:

dishwashing detergent or liquid soap;
sprayer or bucket of water;
foam sponges;
wallpaper tiger;
needle roller;
spatula with a sharp blade;
masking tape;
polyethylene film.

Before removing wallpaper, take care of the safety rules. Turn off the electricity in the apartment, cover sockets and switches with masking tape to prevent water from entering. Also insulate protruding wires. To make cleaning easier, glue along the baseboard plastic bags at least 0.5 m wide, which are usually used for packing things and furniture. Cleaning after dismantling will be faster, the floor will not be splashed with water.

Take a spray bottle or bucket of water and add a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid or soap. Moisten small area walls and wait 10–20 minutes until the water and degreaser are absorbed into the base and soften the adhesive. To make the wallpaper swell faster, it is better to use hot water rather than cold water. Soak the area gradually. Repeat wetting as it dries, do not try to moisten the wall abundantly at once. For better penetration water inside the layer, use a knife. Make several longitudinal notches.

IN hard to reach places and on the ceiling, use a needle roller to make slits. Alternative option A wallpaper tiger will be used to make scratches. This tool allows you to process a large layer of wallpaper without damaging concrete covering and plaster, thanks to soft rollers.

We begin to tear off the wallpaper from the corner of the room, from top to bottom. We clean the finish with a sharp spatula, preferably with a long handle. We act carefully around sockets, switches and other electronic devices, using a narrow spatula.

Washing and steaming - dealing with difficult wallpaper

Modern manufacturers have come up with means that make it easy to remove old wallpaper - chemical removers. Among the well-known brands on the market, QUELYD DISSOUCOL, Zinsser, ATLAS ALPAN are popular. They penetrate deeply into the structure of the wallpaper and destroy the adhesive layer. Applying the remover does not cause any difficulties. We dilute the composition according to the manufacturer's recommendations, distribute the liquid evenly with a sponge or through a spray bottle. After the finish has swollen, it can be easily removed along with all residues from the wall.

Another effective option dealing with difficult wallpaper - steaming. For these purposes, you can use a steam mop or steam cleaner, and if you don’t have them at hand, it will do regular iron and wet cloth. Turn on the steam mode, lean wet cloth to the problem area of the wall and direct steam from the iron through it. Under the influence of steam, the glue will collapse, and you can quickly tear off the old wallpaper from the walls. Just need to do this while they are still hot. We clean off the small pieces remaining after steaming with sandpaper, a metal scraper or a grinding machine.

Finishing on non-woven backing - how to deal with it?

The main advantage of wallpaper on a non-woven basis is the backing, which can not be torn off from the wall, dismantling only the top layer. It strengthens the wall and ensures a good fit new finishes. If you still want to completely clean the walls of old wallpaper, follow the following instructions.

We take a wide sharp spatula, pry up the edge of the canvas and pull it from top to bottom. Remove the remaining pieces in hard-to-reach places with a narrow spatula. If the canvas does not lift well, tear off the wallpaper, wetting the area with warm water. To allow water to penetrate deeper into the base, we use wallpaper tiger. After 15–20 minutes, the non-woven wallpaper will swell. The soaked finish is simply removed with a scraper or spatula. If this is not enough, add a couple of drops of dish soap to the water and re-wet the area that is not lagging with water.

Features of dismantling a washable coating

Vinyl or washable wallpaper, two-layer. They consist of a paper or non-woven base, which is attached to the wall covering, and covered with vinyl on top. It prevents moisture from getting under the wallpaper and allows you to wash the finish when it gets dirty. It is not necessary to completely remove washable non-woven wallpaper; it is enough to remove only the outer vinyl layer. However, if the base begins to come off, play it safe and remove the entire finish.

It will not be possible to remove washable wallpaper by simply wetting the surface with water. Vinyl covering It is resistant to moisture, and to remove it you need to make notches on the surface of the material using a needle roller or scraper. Only after this do we wet the area. When the water penetrates well into the base, the finish will begin to bubble and removing the washable wallpaper from the wall will not be difficult. If any area is difficult to remove, use a steam mop or iron. After steaming one area, we move on to another, prying up the remaining finish with a spatula until it cools down.

We remove liquid wallpaper and reuse it

It's easy from the walls. They quickly soak under the influence of moisture, leaving no marks on the surface. If you don't paint and varnish and others decorative coatings, after dismantling, dry them and use them for finishing in another room. Liquid wallpaper with impurities of varnish and paint are completely recycled and are not reused. Depending on the final finish, this coating can be removed in several ways. If you covered the surface liquid wallpaper varnish or paint, then use a hair dryer or a grinding machine with an attachment to remove it from the surface. If you don't have a hair dryer, use a regular household hair dryer. True, work with him will take a long time. A steam iron will also be effective in removal.

Standard liquid wallpaper without coating is removed using the familiar method using warm water, a metal scraper and a sharp spatula. To increase work efficiency, we recommend adding a couple of capfuls of Ceresit ST-17 primer to the water. After wetting the surface, leave the composition to soak for 10 minutes, open the windows and doors to create a draft in the room and speed up the process. The layer has swollen and softened, we peel it off. We clean off small residues of liquid wallpaper with a scraper and sand the surface with sandpaper.

Removing the trim from drywall

Plasterboard partitions are increasingly found on construction sites And residential buildings. The peculiarity of removing old coating from drywall is to be careful when handling the coating. If the top paper layer is damaged, drywall loses its quality characteristics. To easily peel off the wallpaper, we recommend chemical removers that penetrate deeply into the adhesive structure and allow the base of the finish to quickly peel away from the surface. This method is especially advisable if the drywall is puttied and you do not want to damage the leveling layer with sudden movements of the spatula. If there is no primer on the walls, the use of a chemical remover will also best option. To quickly remove old wallpaper from drywall, scratch the surface with a needle roller or wallpaper tiger before applying chemicals.

Alternative and a budget option removing wallpaper from a plasterboard partition - applying cheap wallpaper glue to the finish. Due to the fact that such glue dries for a long time, the wallpaper swells, begins to bubble, stretch and lag behind the surface. Carefully pry up the torn layer with a sharp spatula, and use a painting knife to work in hard-to-reach places.

A primer is also suitable for impregnating wallpaper. Compared to water, it evaporates more slowly, therefore, it affects the material longer and penetrates deeper into the structure. After soaking, remove the finish with a metal scraper or spatula. Having finished dismantling, we check the walls for irregularities. If necessary, remove small residues with sandpaper, putty and prime the surface.

Classic paper and washable vinyl wallpapers fit into any interior. The finishing material is inexpensive and looks good on the walls and ceiling. Fills rooms with comfort and creates a unique atmosphere. But when it comes time to update the renovation, wallpaper makes apartment owners nervous. Both paper and vinyl varieties are firmly glued to plaster or concrete surface. How to save time and quickly clean walls?

Preparatory stage

It is impossible to remove the finishing material without dust and crumbling plaster. Furniture from the premises where renovations will take place is moved to spare rooms or placed on the balcony. Massive cabinets, sofas and other objects are moved to the center and covered plastic film. The floor is covered with old newspapers, and the baseboards are sealed with wide construction tape.

It is advisable to turn off the power to the apartment. Hiding under the wallpaper electric wires, which can easily be touched with a spatula or wet, causing a short circuit.

You can’t do without a stable stepladder, comfortable old shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. A drill with a sanding attachment will come in handy, sandpaper, a bucket of warm water and a package of glue.

Spatula and kitchen knife

WITH finishing coating, which is more than 6-7 years old, tools with a sharp blade can handle it. Old wallpaper separates from the walls on its own due to dampness and time. You need to find the swollen areas, pry off the peeling paper kitchen knife or the edge of a spatula, and then pull slowly. Paper varieties become frayed, so they should not be tugged sharply. Pieces that have become embedded in the plaster are pryed off with a wide spatula. Islands that could not be separated from the base are treated with water or a grinding machine.

Vinyl and non-woven options are easier to remove. The canvas with a water-repellent coating is cut in the middle and the edges are lifted with a spatula. Pull the bottom half with your hands, then remove the top, and remove the remaining paper base with a brush with stiff bristles.

Attention: Do not rub the plaster or concrete wall too intensely, especially in old houses and apartments. The material crumbles and falls off, leaving holes and dents. Have to spend Extra time and finances for priming and leveling the walls for new wallpaper.

Water procedures

Fresh finishing fabric, which is up to 4–5 years old, is pre-soaked. The liquid dissolves the glue and softens the paper, protecting the plaster from destruction. Warm or hot water will do.

Wallpaper with a water-repellent coating is treated with a roller with sharp spikes. If you don’t have such a tool at home, a regular knife will come in handy. Using a sharp blade, make wide cuts around the entire perimeter. The more holes, the easier it is for liquid to seep into the paper layer.

With wallpaper that I couldn't soften plain water, special solutions can handle it. The canvas glued to the wall using PVA is treated with laundry soap. The detergent bar is crushed and poured into a pan. Pour in 3–4 liters of water and, stirring, bring to a boil. A roller or foam sponge is moistened in the hot workpiece. Soak the finishing material in the liquid and wait 20 minutes for the soap to take effect.

Fabrics with water-repellent properties are impregnated with a solution prepared from fabric softener. Add 200–300 ml of the chemical component to a bucket of liquid. The concentration is increased if there are several layers of finishing material on the wall.

Construction adhesive and PVA will dissolve table vinegar. Connect the bucket hot water and 400 ml of product. Add shavings from laundry soap, if the plaster is very crumbly, and the wallpaper is literally ingrained into the base.

The solution is applied to 1.5–2 square meters. m. finishing material. You cannot treat the entire room at once, because part of the room will dry out, and you will have to repeat the impregnation to clean the walls of wallpaper. Water softens the paper base of rolls in 20 minutes, solutions work twice as fast.

Apply the liquid product with a paint roller, soft cloth or large foam sponge. Wallpaper in old houses is sprayed with a spray bottle so that less liquid gets on the walls. If you apply too much water, it can soften the plaster and putty.

The moistened canvases are pryed with a spatula with a wide blade. The remaining pieces are sprayed with a spray bottle and cleaned off with sandpaper with a water-repellent coating or wire brush. Choose varieties with stiff bristles.

The remains of wallpaper and plaster are immediately swept into a heap so as not to trample dirt into the floor. Walls treated soap solution, it is advisable to wipe with a sponge soaked in clean warm water. The liquid will remove any remaining powder and fabric softener. Household chemicals absorbed into concrete base and interacts with the glue, worsening its properties. New wallpaper will not adhere well and may swell and fall off on the first day.

Steam cleaning

High-quality glue that could not be dissolved with water is steamed with an iron. You will need a sheet or thin towel, a bucket of water and an assistant to hold the fabric:

The rag is dipped into a container with liquid, twisted and applied to the wall, covering pieces of finishing material.
The iron is turned on and set to the maximum temperature.
Iron the sheet several times with a hot device.
The rag is removed and the remaining wallpaper is quickly removed with a spatula.

The paper web is softened with a steam generator or steam cleaner. Household varieties will be useful on the farm. The devices remove dirt from outer clothing and upholstered furniture. Construction steam generators have limited functions, so such equipment is purchased by renovation professionals.

Use a steam cleaner to iron the wall, placing a clean, dry sheet under the device. If you do not use a rag, dust and dirt will get into the equipment, which can cause breakdowns.

Working with paper wallpaper is easier. Ironed it and took it off. If you are going to steam vinyl or non-woven varieties, it is recommended to first remove the water-repellent film and then turn on the iron. Paper particles that cannot be removed in this way are scraped off with coarse sandpaper or a spatula.

Hot steam penetrates the putty, so the cleaned walls are dried for several days, and then primed and painted or new wallpaper is glued. If finishing material is applied to a damp base, mold will appear.

Special formulations

People who don't have time to scrape and steam are advised to buy an instant wallpaper remover. The product is sold in construction stores. It is usually a powder or thick jelly that needs to be diluted with water. The most popular are Atlas Alpan and Quelyd Dissoucol.

The roller is moistened in a solution prepared from the powder and the wallpaper is treated. Small cuts are made on canvases with a water-repellent coating. The product will need 2-3 hours to dissolve the glue and soften the paper layer. The wallpaper will begin to peel away from the concrete base on its own. The canvases are lifted with a spatula or by hand and torn off from the wall.

Manufacturers claim that the solvents are safe and do not emit toxic fumes, but it is better to work with rubber gloves. Make sure that the product does not come into contact with exposed skin and mucous membranes.

Wallpaper pasted in several layers is treated with a special solution. Not only powder, but also glue is added to the water so that the mass becomes thick, like jelly. This product is better absorbed and softens all paper bases.

Unusual options

Liquid wallpaper is one of the best inventions of mankind. The finishing material does not need to be scraped or torn off. The walls are sprayed hot water and wait 2 hours. Wallpaper gradually absorbs moisture and swells. Some areas fall off on their own, others can be easily removed with a wide spatula.

Glass wallpaper cannot be removed without special removers. The finishing material is treated with the solution and left for several hours. When the canvases swell, arm yourself with a spatula or kitchen knife and clean the wallpaper from the walls. After the procedure, the concrete base is dried, puttied and primed.

Non-woven and vinyl wallpapers do not have to be completely removed. Only the top layer with water-repellent properties is peeled off. The paper bottom is left if the walls are smooth, without cracks or holes. New canvases are glued on top of the old wallpaper.

Drywall

Concrete walls are not afraid of water and grinder. Plasterboard partitions covered with a paper layer. You cannot remove it, otherwise you will have to throw away the old slabs and buy new finishing material.

Cheap construction adhesive will help remove wallpaper from the plasterboard base. Several packages of powder are diluted with warm water. Stir to avoid lumps and apply a thick mixture to paper or vinyl sheets. Leave for 3-4 hours. The product dries slowly, absorbing into the wallpaper. They swell and get wet, so they are easily separated from the drywall.

The glue should be thick so that it does not spread all over the wall. The solution is applied thin layer, otherwise it will be absorbed into the drywall. Sometimes a little primer is added to the workpiece. The product will make the wallpaper dissolving liquid viscous. The solution will dry more slowly, plus the primer will prepare plasterboard walls for further repair work.

If there is old wallpaper from grandma's time in the closet, do not throw away the rolls. The canvases are cut and glued to walls treated with glue and primer. Old wallpaper softens and sticks to the top layer. You just need to pull the edge of the canvas and the walls will become clean. You don't have to take out a spatula and turn on the drill.

In apartments built in the 50s or 60s, it is recommended to remove only the top layer of wallpaper. Let the rest stay. The walls in old apartments are thin and uneven, so light redecorating may turn into large-scale construction work.

Thin paper sheets that could not be peeled off with water and special solvents are cleaned with a drill. A brush with iron bristles is put on the tool and the concrete base is polished. Irregularities remaining after removing the wallpaper are recommended to be sealed with acrylic putty. It is inexpensive and high quality, suitable for leveling walls. The putty is applied with a stiff spatula made of of stainless steel so that it lies flat on the base.

Plasterboard boards will have to be replaced if the wallpaper is glued with PVA. In this case, neither a solvent, nor a sharp spatula, nor a drill with a grinding attachment will help.

Modern washable wallpaper is easy to apply and remove. With old paper varieties you will have to tinker, but solvent and sandpaper will solve the problem. The main thing is not to forget to dry and prime the walls after removing the finishing material, so that the new wallpaper fits well and lasts for many years.