The process of preparing the walls before installing wallpaper can be easy or complicated depending on the environment and the texture of the walls. And while it is easier to prepare painted walls using a primer/sealer layer, preparing old and worn walls that have thick wooden panels can make the foundation work much more difficult. Therefore, before choosing a suitable and eye-catching wallpaper, you must take appropriate measures to prepare your walls.

Covering your walls with paint or wallpaper is a matter of personal. Of course, you can read the benefits of wallpaper over color on our website. In general, when you want to add a special design and pattern to your wall, you should use wallpaper. Installing wallpaper is much easier than painting so, by using this guide, you can prepare the walls before installing wallpaper in the best way.

Before installing wallpaper

Walls are divided into one of three categories:

1. Painted walls
2. The walls of new houses that have no covering
3. Pre-wallpapered walls

 

preparing the painted walls before installing wallpaper

Walls painted with glossy enamel must be primed before wallpapering, otherwise the wallpaper will not stick to the surface. Primers are commercial solvents (a sandpaper in liquid form) that roughen a flat surface and provide a suitable surface for wallpaper to stick. Sometimes washing the walls with strong detergents will also be effective.

Most colors that have a flat or matte texture do not need special preparation. But they must be clean and free of oil, grease and dirt.

 

preparation of walls of new houses before wallpapering

Plastering creates a smooth surface for wallpaper. Oil-based wall covering is the most popular sealer. You can also use a special glue called wallpaper primer/sealer to smooth the walls. Each of these primers can be applied on the wall with a brush or roller like paint.

old houses

Old houses usually have plaster walls , the quality of plastering has dropped significantly. These houses can be prepared with primer. Because gypsum is mixed with lime, it has a high alkaline content. This alkaline property can stain the wallpaper or prevent it from sticking to the wall. Usually, the alkaline condition will disappear over time and wallpaper can be installed over primed plaster walls. In some cases, despite priming, there may be areas of the house that have high alkaline levels. When the surface is alkaline, pink, red or purple spots appear.

Before you want to install wallpaper, you need to prepare its surface. You can exfoliate the alkaline surface with coarse brushes. This is very simple, but over time, alkaline substances can seep through the seams of the wall under the wallpaper and discolor the wallpaper. Mix one unit of acid with two units of water Apply the solution to the area. As the color disappears, the alkaline state is gone.

Walls with wallpaper on them

Vinyl or PVC wallpapers are strippable wallpapers. These types of wallpaper are designed and produced for easy removal. To remove them, lift up a corner of the paper with a sharp knife and carefully peel it off the wall. Other removable wallpapers require a little soaking before you can remove them. To remove older wallpaper, there must be enough moisture to penetrate the texture of the paper to soak the glue holding it in place. If several layers of paper are installed on top of each other or if the wallpaper is old, you should make a hole for water to penetrate the wallpaper. You can cut it with a simple knife or a cutter. You can also use coarse sandpaper to draw on the wallpaper. Be careful not to damage the wall behind the paper when cutting before installing the wallpaper.

If you installed wallpaper a few years ago and plan to decorate your walls with new textures, the best way is to simply peel off the old wallpaper. Once you’ve removed the old wallpaper, fill in the small holes along with any other damaged areas with plaster. So if you already have wallpaper on your walls, you have to decide whether to apply the new wallpaper directly over the old wallpaper or remove the existing wallpaper before you install the new wallpaper. In general, it is better to remove the old wallpaper from the wall. Otherwise, the patterns and seams of the old wallpaper may be visible under the new wallpaper. In some cases, the new glue may react with the old glue and cause both layers of wallpaper to disappear.

However, there are times when it is better not to remove the old wallpaper. For example, old wallpaper is often difficult to remove, Because water or steam cannot penetrate through the paper cover to soften the glue underneath and remove the previous wallpaper easily. If your old wallpaper cannot be removed, cover the seams and install the new wallpaper after applying the primer.

 

Key points for the foundation before installing the wallpaper

You might be wondering if it is necessary to prepare the walls before installing the wallpaper? The answer is definitely yes. Because the process and steps of wallpaper installation are easy with a completely uniform and smooth surface without carvings and colors. Don’t forget that the preparation of the walls starts before installing the wallpaper.

You will definitely need to prepare the wall before installing wallpaper. The most important thing before installing wallpaper is to make sure that the surface of the wall is clean, dry and healthy. Disconnect all electrical switches and frames. The surface of the wall should be clean, dry, smooth and free of grease, mold or other stains.

Do your walls have mold?

If you notice stains on your walls and can’t figure out what’s actually causing them, try a simple solution of detergent and water. If they are normal stains, they are easily removed. But if the stains are caused by mold, you should contact wallpaper installation experts and ask them for advice.

How to cover uneven surfaces?

Your walls may have uneven surfaces that must be smoothed before installing wallpaper. To create a smooth surface for installing the wallpaper, you may have to use a special lining paper. If the surface is very uneven, it needs plastering.

Have you plastered your walls recently?

If you have recently plastered your walls, you should wait until the plaster is completely dry before choosing wallpaper. Usually, experts do not prefer wallpaper on freshly plastered walls.