Professional Techniques and Tools for Fast Wallpaper Removal

Wallpaper should remove easily from a well-prepared surface. Unfortunately, many older wallpaper projects were installed improperly, with adhesives applied too heavily or without primer, leaving the material firmly attached. Layers of adhesives and paint over wallpaper also make it harder to remove.

Yet professional remodelers handle wallpaper removal all the time. Depending on the wallpaper type, age, and condition, you may need to use a combination of a scoring device, wallpaper steamer, and chemical strippers at different stages. Explore this guide on how to remove wallpaper to find the right pro-level tools for the job.

Learning how to remove old wallpaper starts with identifying the main types of wall coverings. Today’s peel-and-stick wallpaper, made of vinyl or printed paper, is the easiest to remove. If you suspect you’re dealing with modern peelable wallpaper, try pulling up a corner to check.

Strippable wallpaper is the next most modern type, and it’s also the easiest to remove after peel-and-stick products. This wallpaper works with adhesives that don’t bond too tightly to the wall surface, reducing the need for chemical strippers and extensive hand scraping. However, misuse of the adhesives or multiple layers can still make it tricky to remove this kind of paper.

Traditional pasted wallpaper installed before the 1970s tends to take the most effort to remove. This paper is often woven or used with adhesives that bond too tightly to the underlying wall surface. Wall age and adhesive buildup also affect which method will work best. When learning how to remove wallpaper from drywall, you’ll need to use a light touch with wall covering tools to avoid gouging the surface. Adhesive buildup and wallpaper patches further complicate removal as well, necessitating the use of chemical strippers or steam.

You can figure out how to remove peel-and-stick wallpaper through trial and error, but other types of wallpaper require more care. Choose one or more of the following methods if you’re dealing with older strippable or traditional wallpaper, or wallpaper covered with layers of adhesives, patching, and paint.

Scoring with a specialized tool that doesn’t damage the underlying wall surface helps break up the wallpaper and create openings for steam and chemicals to penetrate. This provides better results for older wallpaper and walls alike. Steam or stripping chemicals need access to the adhesive layer to break it down. Rolling a precision Hyde scoring tool over the surface allows for easy penetration while protecting the drywall.

Some people try DIY combinations like watered-down vinegar or fabric softener to loosen wallpaper. However, none of these mixtures compares to professional-grade chemicals. You’ll need safety equipment like rubber gloves and goggles, but the pro-level chemicals penetrate deeper into stubborn adhesives and reduce the chance of water damage.

Expect faster results with chemicals, but you’ll also spend more on them than DIY solutions and must take care when cleaning up.

Steaming is a reliable fallback for particularly old wallpaper or multi-layered installations. Contractors try to avoid steamers unless necessary due to the risk of water damage, but they’re the quickest way to reduce hand scraping and prevent scratches or gouges. Steamers can also loosen layers of dried and cracking paint.

This basic how-to wallpaper removal guide will prepare you for the process.

Remove furnishings and cover what you can’t remove, along with the floor. Inspect the wallpaper surface to determine if you’re dealing with peel-and-stick, strippable, or traditional wallpaper. Check for signs of multiple layers of wallpaper and paint. Try scraping or lifting a corner to determine the wall material and condition underneath.

If any parts of the wallpaper are loose enough to remove, peel them off. Scrape away any flapping edges or leftover bits.

Once damaged and hanging material is removed, score the remaining wallpaper. This is a key step in learning how to remove painted wallpaper, in particular. Use a scoring device instead of a glass scraping tool to prevent damage to the underlying wall surface. Move it in circular or square patterns to create a grid of openings.

Older and painted wallpaper may require steaming or a chemical stripper. Using both can damage the wall, but it might be necessary if the first application doesn’t remove everything. Steam removal involves running a steaming head over one section at a time, then lifting the loosened material. Chemical strippers are sprayed evenly over the wall and left to work for a recommended time.

Loosened wallpaper is scraped away with the use of a dedicated wallpaper scraper or multipurpose putty knife. This is the most time-consuming step, but taking your time will prevent damage to the wall surface.

Once all the wallpaper is removed, you’ll still need to remove lingering adhesives, dry the wall to prevent water damage, and skim-coat if needed before repainting.

In addition to a razor or scoring tool for preparing the wallpaper, you’ll need a decent scraper or putty knife to loosen the paper. Wider blades provide more leverage, up to around a 6-inch width. Sharp blades and ergonomic handles reduce your fatigue while protecting the wall from damage. Hyde carries durable scrapers angled for minimal wall damage and other drywall finishing knife types that work for a wide range of jobs.

Adhesive removal may require additional chemical strippers. Rinse the wall surface after the use of any chemicals to avoid reactions. If scraping leaves damage, apply a thin skim coat of drywall mud. Creating a flawless finish that only requires a coat from a paint roller depends on proper cleaning and prep work after the wallpaper comes down.

Becoming a pro remodeling contractor means mastering how to remove wallpaper from wall surfaces with minimal damage. Build your skills with wallpaper stripper accessories like scoring wheels, ergonomic scrapers, and putty knives to save time. Hyde has a history of providing reliable tools for over 150 years. Explore Hyde's wall-covering tools for professional-grade scrapers, scoring tools, and surface prep gear trusted by pros.