Painting over Wallpaper: Let the Professionals Handle It

So, you have finally decided you want to get rid of your old wallpaper and you just want paint on your walls instead. Now, you are faced with a dilemma: strip the wallpaper away altogether so you can start new or just paint over it?

The quick answer is that if the wallpaper can be removed, it should be stripped away completely. Painting over wallpaper can result in serious problems in the future, so the potential drawbacks might not be worth the risk in the long run.

One of the most common disadvantages of painting over existing wallpaper is that it can absorb moisture from the paint thus dissolving the glue which makes it adhere to the wall behind it and causing air pockets to appear. Indeed, the material the wallpaper is made of is an important factor to consider when deciding whether to leave the wallpaper intact or not. Some textile wallpaper can easily absorb moisture, but varieties coated with vinyl or made entirely of vinyl tend to be water repellent, making them less likely to absorb moisture.

Then again, removing the wallpaper is not always the best option either as this can damage your walls and do more harm than good. Walls are often constructed using drywall panels, which are made of pressed gypsum plaster. Stripping off the wallpaper can cause the gypsum particles to detach, thereby damaging your wall.

How the wall was prepared before the wallpaper was glued to it can sometimes determine whether or not the wallpaper will come off easily. If the wallpaper was placed over drywall that was previously painted or received a coat of primer, then it might be harder to remove the wallpaper.

As mentioned, the general rule is to try to strip away the wallpaper completely. A painting contractors houston can evaluate your wall and decide if the wallpaper should be removed or not. If it is determined that the best option is to just leave it intact, then let the professionals handle the paint job. They will have the necessary skills and experience to competently do all the prep work before painting over the wallpaper.

At Southern Painting, we will prepare your wallpaper by following these procedures: repairing any damaged sections or air pockets; sealing the edges where the wallpaper meets the floor and the ceiling to prevent the wallpaper from peeling after the paint is applied; smoothing out any textured or embossed patterns and visible seams with a layer of spackle paste; sanding the resulting surface as necessary; and finally, applying the appropriate type of primer.

When you need a professional painting contractor to help you determine if painting over your wallpaper is the best option, please don’t hesitate to contact Southern Painting. Our painting contractors houston and other cities in our Texas service area are seasoned experts who can deliver top quality restoration services for any home or office environment.