The need to remove wallpaper arises when new wallpaper needs to replace old or unappealing wallpaper, either due to age or aesthetic considerations. While it is possible to cover old paper with new paper, the best thing to do is to remove the old paper because the moisture in the adhesives could cause both the old and new covering to peel off the wall. Before embarking on wallpaper removal, you will need to confirm that the paper is strippable. Most wallpaper will be made of material that is easy to strip but you need to be sure that you will strip successfully. To do this, you should:
1.Cut a piece of the paper using the tip of a knife. The part of the paper that you cut should be as inconspicuous as possible since you do not intend to ruin the paper you are removing.
2.Try pulling down the wallpaper. You should not pull the paper towards you and away from the wall as this increases the risk of tearing it. Application of steady pressure should make the paper peel off the wall. If attempts at stripping fail, the indication will be that the paper type you are dealing with is not strippable, in which case you will have to come up with alternative removal measures.
For wallpaper that is not strippable, alternative removal methods will include soaking and steaming.
1.When stripping by soaking, the first thing to do is to slit the old wallpaper on the surface by use of a utility knife or a razor blade. Several slits, between 8 and 10 inches apart, will need to be made. Inside these slits, you should pour liquid paper remover. Alternatively, you can pour warm soapy water. This softens the adhesive and makes it easy for you to successfully pull the paper from the wall. When you apply the water, you should let it soak for a few minutes before you start scrapping. When, in the course of scrapping, some paper breaks, you should re-soak the affected area while you continue with other sections.
2.Wallpaper can be removed by application of a steamer. With a steamer, what you do is moisten the wallpaper by use of steam. This method takes a bit of time, but the even results will be worth the time it takes to do it.
Even when a steamer is used, you will still have to scrape off the bits of paper that remain on the wall.