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Home Repair

How To Fix Drywall Damage Caused By Wallpaper Removal

When it comes to making drywall repairs, some jobs are best handled by a professional while others can be performed at home with even just a small modicum of do-it-yourself skill. For drywall damage sustained from the removal of wallpaper, the latter applies here. You can do this work on your own but just be aware that you will need to take it slow and pay close attention to detail, otherwise the drywall won’t look right, particularly if you plan on painting it after you’re finished.

Here are the steps you should take to repair Drywall Damage Pflugerville TX and make the interior of your home look good as new. In some cases, you may find the damage is just too great and you will need to replace the affected drywall instead of repairing it. This is something you should probably leave to the experts and not attempt to perform yourself.

So do a full assessment of the damage before you begin to work, that way you’ll know what you need to do in order to fix the problem so that your walls look right.

Cleaning

You first need to take off all of the wallpaper glue that has been left behind. You can do this by using a wallpaper glue remover or make your own concoction using one part vinegar and four parts warm water. From there, you want to scrub the wall with a sponge that has some texture to it. Don’t use steel wool but opt instead for a sponge or cloth that has a mildly abrasive surface.

When you’re done scrubbing, rinse the wall with some water and a clean cloth or rag. Don’t douse the wall with too much moisture and be sure to let the wall dry completely before continuing.

Peeling

It’s possible you still have some remnants of torn wallpaper left behind. You will need to peel these from the wall using a flat tool of some kind or just rip them away with your fingertips for the smaller remnants.

Priming

Now you will need to use a primer on all of the areas where the drywall paper was torn off. There are many different types of primer and shellac on the market, choose one that will protect the exposed paper beneath the top layer so you don’t find any buckling or wrinkle after you spackle or paint.

Sanding

This step is important for smoothing over the primer and getting at all of those last tiny remnants of paper that might have been torn or come loose. Be sure to add another coat of primer if any more drywall paper is exposed or compromised. You must create a sealed, flat surface before you paint.

Filling

If there are any dents or drywall damage, you can repair them with a joint compound. Get a flat putty knife or drywall knife to thoroughly fill and cover the damage that has occurred. This will be useful in allowing you to sand down the surface so that it’s flat after you have completed this step. Be careful with this step and pay close attention to detail. You want the surface flush and all damage repaired in full.

Sanding

Now you’ll need a drywall sander to sand the wall flush. You’ll want to do it with a 100-grit sandpaper or try some sanding mesh that is designed especially for drywall.

Re-Priming

Get the primer out again and prime all of the damage that’s been repaired before you paint.

Painting

Paint the wall with your preferred wall color and, voila, the wall is good as new!