Preparations for wallpapering
When it comes to getting the best out of your wallpaper, preparation is everything. Before hanging your new wallpaper, there are a few things you need to think about, and these may also depend on the surface you intend to wallpaper on. Here you will find information on how to prepare your room for wallpapering, and which tools you will need.
Prepare the room for wallpapering
As with any craft, preparation is important. Before hanging your new wallpaper, you may need to fill and sand where necessary, to save yourself from niggling imperfections in the long run. The main thing to remember is that the surface should always be dry, flat and stable when you start to wallpaper.
Then begin by turning off the electrical current to the room. Unscrew the covers on any sockets and switches. Where feasible, remove any skirting boards or wall mouldings, too. By marking the backs of the mouldings, you’ll know where to put them when it’s time for them to go back up. Also remove any hooks or curtain rods, or anything else on the walls.
Can I wallpaper over old paper?
It is fine to wallpaper over old paper. Just make sure to sand down any uneven areas such as damage or old wallpaper seams, and fill and sand the walls smooth so that no nicks or surface differences can be felt when brushing your hand along the wall.
All EasyUp wallpapers have very good opacity – at least 99% – which means that patterns and colours from previous layers of wallpaper will not be visible.
What tools will I need?
- Bucket of clean water and sponge
- Spirit level or plumb line
- Brush
- Wallpapering tool
- Scissors
- Seam roller
- Folding rule
- Roller
- Wallpaper knife
Other surfaces to wallpaper
Glass fibre or other painted woven fabrics
Wash the surface area with paint cleaner and then rinse the entire area with water. The entire surface area should then be spackled and sanded. Remove any excess dust before applying glue.
Textile, hessian, natural fibre wallpapers or similar
Tear down the material. Use wallpaper remover as needed. Spackle and sand when needed to create a smooth surface. Remove any excess dust before applying the glue.
Painted surfaces
Wash the area with paint cleaner and rinse thoroughly. Scrape away any peeling or flaking surfaces t. Fill where needed and sand the entire area until even and smooth.
Concrete and plastered surfaces
Fill irregularities and joints. Spackle and sand the entire surface. Remove any dust before applying glue.
Plasterboard, chipboard and fibreboard
Fill and spackle all nail and screw holes. Fill any gaps between panels with fill strips or fabric glue. Spackle and sand the entire area to create a smooth, even surface. Remove any dust before applying glue.