Does Removing Wallpaper Damage Walls?

Does removing wallpaper damage walls? There is no doubt that wallpapers are commonly used in many homes. Further, it is also a fact that wallpapers can help in changing any living space into something unique and classy.

It also perhaps is a cost-effective solution if you have an old home where the walls are soiled and dirty, using wallpapers could instantly change the overall look and feel of the entire room or space. It could help in transforming it into a bright and modern looking home.

While all these are indeed great things about wallpaper, quite often removing wallpapers could cause a number of problems. The wallpapers affixed on your wall do have a shelf life.

Further, you may feel bored and may like to replace the same with a new color and design of wallpapers that perhaps are more modern and contemporary. You may fear whether removing the wallpaper can leave your wall damaged.

If damage to the wall is a problem, you also may like to find out the answer as to how the problem can be overcome. We are happy to share some useful and pertinent information on the subject matter for the benefit of our readers.

The risk of Damage does exist

When you remove existing wallpaper from your wall, there always is a risk of the walls getting damaged. The entire process of removal has to be done carefully and correctly. The wallpapers have to be stripped off from the walls using the right tools and some chemicals would also be required.

If the wall is stuck to the wall because of moisture or humidity then the risk of damage to the wall increases even further. The moisture that is trapped behind the paper could really cause quite a bit of damage.

Therefore, you must know how to overcome this problem as best as you can.

Common Reasons for Damage to Wall Because of Wallpapers

There is no doubt that walls are susceptible to water leakage. If there are some issues with the plumbing work in the home, or if there are some damages to the roof, it could lead to dampening of the walls as moisture seeps into it.

Toilet backups could also lead to this problem. In many homes, faulty appliances could also result in leakage. Liquid dripping from the ceiling also leads to damaged wall ceilings in many homes.

When you remove wallpaper from such chronic water damaged walls, torn patches could remain stuck on to the walls. They also may lead to peeling of the mortar and first coating on the wall. While complete repair of the source of the leak may not always be possible, the problem of damages caused by improper wallpaper removal can be addressed.

Humidity could also lead to damage to the wallpaper. The humidity could be because of the weather or could be restricted to some specific rooms in the home such as the bathroom, or kitchen where the levels of humidity could be higher.

Humidity can lead to the growth of fungi and molds behind the wallpapers and removing them without causing damage to the walls could be tricky. Termites could also lead to this problem.

How to remove Old Wallpaper Safely

If wallpaper removal becomes absolutely unavoidable, you have to follow some proven and time-tested tips for removing the wallpaper without causing too much damage to the walls.

• · If the wallpaper has been installed recently, it would be a good idea to check with the manufacturer. They will be able to guide you and let you know if the wallpapers can be stripped off easily and with some care.
  
• In case some stubborn patches remain, you could make use of a knife to carefully scrape the patches of wallpaper. Do it slowly so that you do not cause damage to the walls.

• · If the wallpaper is not automatically strippable, you could make use of a liquid stripper. A mixture of the stripper with hot water should be applied to the walls. You must carefully follow the instructions.
  
• Start from the top and move to the bottom. Take small sections for such jobs. This will prevent the mixture from drying out. This should help in the easy and damage-free stripping of the wallpapers.

• · Old wallpapers may not be able to absorb these cleaning solutions effectively. In such cases, make some cuts on the wallpapers and then use the solutions. It will allow water and cleaning solutions to seep in and your stripping task will become easier.

• · Hire the services of professionals when you have to go in for steam stripping to remove the old wallpapers. This process softens the adhesive that is used to stick the wallpapers to the wall.

Does Removing Wallpaper Damage Walls? – Conclusion

While there is a possibility of walls getting damaged because of wallpapers, there are effective ways and means by which the problem can be overcome.