Painting over wallpaper or removing it first? | SERV4U Blog
Wallpaper changes the starting point A room with wallpaper is not automatically ready for paint. The condition of the paper, the quality of the seams, the texture, the adhesive and the surface underneath all affect the sensible route. When painting over wallpaper may not be suitable Loose edges, lifting seams, bubbles, heavy texture, stains and damaged paper can remain visible through paint. Moisture or previous repairs can also cause wallpaper to fail after decoration. Painting over an unstable finish may only delay the problem. What removal can involve If the wallpaper needs to come off, the work may include stripping, removing adhesive residue, filling, sanding, sealing and preparing the wall before the first coat. These steps increase the time and materials compared with painting a sound, prepared surface. A clear quotation should separate the stages The quotation should make clear whether it includes wallpaper removal, adhesive removal, surface repairs, lining, priming and painting. If the wall underneath cannot be assessed until the paper is removed, the final preparation requirement may need to be confirmed in stages. Next step: Send a photograph of the wallpaper, its edges and any visible damage so the likely preparation route can be discussed.