Steamer or sponge for wallpaper?

Discussion in 'Painters' Talk' started by igeoff, Mar 22, 2015.

  1. igeoff

    igeoff New Member

    Hi, I wallpapered the plasterboard walls (it's a new build) in our living room last year now i want to remove the paper, Shall i just sponge it off as it's just the one covering or use a steamer? just a bit worried as i don't want to damage the drywall underneath and a steamer seems a bit OTT.

    Any advice would be great

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  2. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Bucket of warm water & a spot of washing up liqiud is what I use.
     
  3. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    Have the walls been skimmed or papered directly onto the PB ?

    As above, a bucket of water should do the job in this case, whereas as steamer is great when there are multiple layers of paint or layers of paper in an older property

    Don't forget, add a spot of "elbow grease" and all should be fine

    Lightly scoring paper as well will aid when wetting ( not too deep as you don't want to score the plaster underneath )
     
  4. Steamers have a nasty habit of removing the underlying plaster along with the wallpaper!!
     
  5. igeoff

    igeoff New Member

    The walls were just painted the usual magnolia when we moved in so i just papered over the top, Hopefully it'll come off easy!
     
  6. igeoff

    igeoff New Member

    Thats what i was worried about, I'd rather take my time than ruin the plasterboard underneath, Thanks for the advice will give it a go with a sponge & soapy water.

    Cheers
     
  7. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    Steamers are generally fine to use with no issues and can speed up the job considerably

    Two areas when problems can occur;

    1. Plaster in poor condition, ie, blown or full of cracks (steam gets under the plaster and blows it off wall)

    2. Poor technique, ie, holding steamer in same position for too long, again blowing plaster

    I've used a steamer to strip loads of rooms and not had any big issues, except for the odd, small patch of plaster blowing
    As above, a lot depends on wall condition and technique
     
  8. Phil the Paver

    Phil the Paver Screwfix Select

    Just a point, if the wall has been papered would you then get a good enough surface to paint on, so you may need to re-paper in lining paper anyway.
     

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