HOW TO PROPERLY PREPARE YOUR WALLS FOR WALLPAPER

Wallpaper Installation

November 23, 2017

HOW TO PROPERLY PREPARE YOUR WALLS FOR WALLPAPER

Why do some people endure the hassle and toxicity of high emission interior paints when they can buy stylish wallpaper for walls online and get it hung in a matter of hours? Many people fear that wallpaper removal process will leave their homes with damaged walls. Decades of do-it-yourself installations with missed steps may have sowed such irrational fears. Some people worry about the quality if they buy wallpaper online. One can always trust a reputed brand of fashion wallcoverings with at least 2 decades of expertise in hanging wallpaper. You may find the following professional advice useful to uproot any misgivings you may have about adopting wallcoverings as the default interior décor option.

Preparing the wall surface:

Smooth, clean, dry and structurally sound surfaces are essential for applying wallcovering. If your wall has been recently plastered, it must not retain excessive lime or alkali. Residual moisture content in your wall cannot be higher than 5-7% and this should be determined using a moisture meter. This prerequisite sorted out, you are ready to source interesting wallpaper for walls online.

What kind of primer to use:

After you buy wallpaper online, to promote adhesion of the wallcovering, your wall should receive a coat of appropriate primer first and foremost. Most primers are intended for use as a barrier against vapours. If such primers are used on wallcovering, they may greatly reduce the overall permeability of the installation. Only a breathable primer formulated for wallcovering should be used. Oil-based primers result in a non-porous surface and combined with vinyl-based wallcovering, have a habit of trapping moisture, prolong the time for drying and cause adhesion problems.

To ensure the wall is sound:

Existing walls may present varied conditions. Soundness of your wall can be ensured as below after you get wallpaper for walls online.

All glossy surfaces should be sanded and all irregularities should be repaired. For sanding, use a medium to rough grit sandpaper to open pores and enhance permeability in the existing wall finishes.

Next, using a razor blade cut a shallow ‘X’ on the painted surface, wrap a strip of masking tape around your finger (sticky side out), and press the tape against the ‘X’. If the paint film separates from the wall surface, the wall is not sound to receive wallcovering.

Also, hold a wet sponge against the painted wall surface for 15-20 seconds. If any pigment or colour transfers from the wall surface to the sponge, the wall is not sound. If the painted surface is found to be ‘unsound’ by either of the above tests, the paint must be removed ASAP. So check these things before you buy wallpaper online.

If your wall has any older wallcovering, remove it completely before sticking the new one on. NEVER DOUBLE HANG. After buying wallpaper for walls online and removing older wallcovering, take care to remove any remaining adhesive with a good quality adhesive remover. If the old wallcovering is peelable, you need to remove both top and bottom layers of the wallcovering. Finally, rinse the wall and let it dry.

Surfaces other than drywall or plaster may require specialized application techniques and procedures. Get in touch with your wallcovering manufacturer or distributor for suggestions on how to start when you buy wallpaper online.

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