Removing Vinyl Wallpaper With A Steamer

Hgtv expert steve watson shows you how to remove wallpaper without chemicals by using a steamer.

Removing vinyl wallpaper with a steamer.

I borrowed a friend s special wallpaper steamer once before i had a steam cleaner and the only difference was a special head to hold the steam against the wall. Years ago when i started designing homes i discovered the trick to removing wallpaper from a seasoned wallpaper installer. Using either a putty knife or a specially designed wallpaper scraping tool try to lift off the wallpaper in one of the top corners of a wall. You can rent a commercial wallpaper steamer as an alternative to solvents.

The paper will pull away easily in one direction and tear in the opposite direction. If you are having trouble removing the vinyl from the top try working from the bottom up. Even clear bars for vehicles and window. The first step in removing this tough wallpaper is peeling off the actual vinyl which is the outermost layer.

Instead of using solution or a steamer it is best to take the time to remove the wallpaper slowly in sections. Often the vinyl wallpaper has a grain. Washable wallpapers have a plastic film that protects the paper underneath but makes the wallpaper hard to remove because water or steam cannot penetrate the surface. Removing the paper is as simple as prying up a corner and pulling at a 10 to 15 degree angle.

Producing very hot steam they can quickly dissolve adhesives and make the peeling process faster steam is the most effective method for safely removing vinyl graphics stickers wraps lettering or decals. Steamers are especially good at removing stiff heavy old style wallpapers and papers that have been adhered for a very long time. If you are removing vinyl coated wallpaper with a steamer you still have to use a scoring tool to punch holes in the paper so the steam can reach the glue. Rent a steamer instead of purchasing one since this is not a job you will do very often.

Place the steamer on the surface of the wall to penetrate glue. The heat from the steam will loosen the wallpaper glue allowing you to simply pull the wallpaper off. An easy tutorial on how to remove wallpaper with a steamer this diy wallpaper removal tool will change how you feel about this task. I would give it a go with a steam cleaner.

Dupray s premium steam cleaners are the perfect tools to remove vinyl stickers. Follow as i demonstrate removing old wallpaper. Remove vinyl stickers and adhesives with commercial steam cleaners. Use a scoring tool to create little holes in the paper and begin from the bottom of the wall.

A steamer uses boiling water to soften the glue between the wallpaper and the wall. The top wear layer on paper backed vinyl wallpaper typically separates from its backing. It may work better. Vinyl wallpaper can definitely be difficult to remove.

The process takes time and you may need a trowel to help scrape off stubborn wallpaper adhesive. Another way to remove wallpaper is to use steam.