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How to remove wallpaper with Steam

Introduction

Prepare the area

Fill the steam unit with hot water and let it heat up for about 30 minutes. Cover your floor with drop cloths, remove any faceplates from the walls you'll be working with, and cover outlets with electrical tape to protect them from liquids.

Step 1

How to remove wallpaper with Steam How to remove wallpaper with Steam

Pierce the old wallpaper

Use a wallpaper piercing tool, such as the "Paper Tiger", which is a roller with small spikes that will pierce the wallpaper. This will allow the steam to penetrate the glue more easily. Be careful not to press too hard so as not to puncture the wall surface. If this happens accidentally, you will need to fill in the indentations with a spreading compound.

Step 2

How to remove wallpaper with Steam

Apply steam

Wallpaper fumes tend to drip hot water, so you'll want to wear rubber gloves. Place the steamer on the surface of the wallpaper and hold it while the steam penetrates and softens the glue. The more time you spend steaming, the less time you have to spend scraping.

Step 3

Scrape with a wallpaper scraping tool

Once the steam has softened the glue, start working on a seam or the edge of a hole to scrape off the wallpaper with the wallpaper scraping tool, a plastic putty knife, or a drywall knife. Apply more steam as needed and continue scraping until wallpaper is removed.