So, you have finally
decided you want to get rid of your old wallpaper and you just want paint on
your walls instead. Now, you are faced with a dilemma: strip the wallpaper away
altogether so you can start new or just paint over it?
The quick answer is
that if the wallpaper can be removed, it should be stripped away completely.
Painting over wallpaper can result in serious problems in the future, so the
potential drawbacks might not be worth the risk in the long run.
One of the most
common disadvantages of painting over existing wallpaper is that it can absorb
moisture from the paint thus dissolving the glue which makes it adhere to the
wall behind it and causing air pockets to appear. Indeed, the material the
wallpaper is made of is an important factor to consider when deciding whether
to leave the wallpaper intact or not. Some textile wallpaper can easily absorb
moisture, but varieties coated with vinyl or made entirely of vinyl tend to be
water repellent, making them less likely to absorb moisture.
Then again,
removing the wallpaper is not always the best option either as this can damage
your walls and do more harm than good. Walls are often constructed using
drywall panels, which are made of pressed gypsum plaster. Stripping off the
wallpaper can cause the gypsum particles to detach, thereby damaging your wall.
How the wall was
prepared before the wallpaper was glued to it can sometimes determine whether
or not the wallpaper will come off easily. If the wallpaper was placed over
drywall that was previously painted or received a coat of primer, then it might
be harder to remove the wallpaper.
As mentioned, the
general rule is to try to strip away the wallpaper completely. A painting
contractors houston can
evaluate your wall and decide if the wallpaper should be removed or not. If it
is determined that the best option is to just leave it intact, then let the
professionals handle the paint job. They will have the necessary skills and
experience to competently do all the prep work before painting over the
wallpaper.
At Southern
Painting, we will prepare your wallpaper by following these procedures:
repairing any damaged sections or air pockets; sealing the edges where the
wallpaper meets the floor and the ceiling to prevent the wallpaper from peeling
after the paint is applied; smoothing out any textured or embossed patterns and
visible seams with a layer of spackle paste; sanding the resulting surface as
necessary; and finally, applying the appropriate type of primer.
When you need a
professional painting contractor to help you determine if painting over your
wallpaper is the best option, please don’t hesitate to contact Southern
Painting. Our painting contractors houston and
other cities in our Texas service area are seasoned experts who can deliver top
quality restoration services for any home or office environment.
