How to remove wallpaper without damaging drywall

12 years ago

We are trying to remove old wallpaper. It is high quality (though ugly), thick wallpaper with a mesh type backing. It appears to have been glued directly to the drywall when installed. It is a bathroom so the drywall has the green moisture barrier paper on the outside. As we are removing the wallpaper which has been up for around 15-20 years, it is taking the green drywall paper off with it.

How do we take down the old wallpaper without destroying the drywall?

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Comments (4)

PRO
Rockin' Fine Finish
12 years ago
It will be very hard to remove it without damaging the drywall . Try a steamer
User
11 years ago
I've just done the same job... I used a garden spray filled with hot water and worked a small area at a time wetting the paper and waiting for it to bubble up -then carefully sliding a scraper along to lift paper- very time consuming and I still ended up damaging some of the drywall- which I have now re plastered and then I undercoated the room with the bathroom paint that has anti mould etc in it- not sure I shouldn't have just ripped it off and saved some time :) good luck
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Lauren Getchell
11 years ago
I heard you can add fabric softener.
PRO
Cero Project management
10 years ago
You can add softener or an enzyme removing detergent (ERA). It helps break down the paste. Be sure to wash and really scrub all the paste residue off the wall when you are finished. The areas that are damaged will need a skim coat of mud and when everything is clean and walls filled and sanded use a good primer before you paint. Any missed paste will bleed back through.