Wallpaper Removal and Stripping in Newcastle upon Tyne

Types of wallpaper we remove

Different papers come off in different ways, and recognising what is on the wall is the first step.

• Standard papers usually soften with water or steam and lift fairly easily.
• Vinyl papers often peel off dry, leaving a backing layer that then needs soaking or steaming.
• Woodchip and textured papers are thicker and often painted several times, which seals them and makes them slow to soften.
• Painted-over paper needs scoring carefully so steam can get behind the paint without damaging the plaster.
• Multiple layers are common in older houses and are removed one layer at a time.

Ceiling paper is also common in older homes, sometimes hiding cracks. It is slower work overhead, and we use proper access equipment to do it safely.

How we strip walls without wrecking them

The aim is to remove the paper while doing as little harm as possible to the surface beneath. We steam in manageable sections, give the paper time to soften, and use wide scrapers held at a low angle to lift it rather than dig in. Where scoring is needed, we use tools designed to perforate the paper rather than cut into the wall.

Once the paper is off, we wash the walls down to remove paste residue. Leftover paste can cause new paint to crack or craze and stop new paper sticking properly, so this step matters. We protect floors, switch off and cover sockets and switches where needed, and keep the room organised as we go, as stripping can be messy.

What is under the paper

Wallpaper often hides problems, and it is better to know about them before you choose a finish. Once the walls are bare, we look for:

• Plaster that comes away with the paper, leaving rough patches
• Cracks, old repairs and uneven areas the paper was covering
• Signs of damp or salts in older walls
• Previously unsealed plaster that needs sealing before painting

Small dents, cracks and patches can be filled and sanded as part of our preparation. Where large areas of plaster have blown or the surface is badly broken up, a plasterer may need to skim the wall. We will tell you plainly what we see so you can decide, rather than painting over something that will show through later.

On older, uneven walls, lining paper can be a good alternative to skimming for some rooms. It smooths out minor unevenness and can be painted or papered over.

After stripping: painting or papering

Most people strip wallpaper because they want painted walls or a new paper. Freshly stripped and filled walls need sealing so paint goes on evenly, which is covered on our interior wall painting page. If you plan to repaper, the walls need to be smooth, clean and sized or primed, and our wallpaper hanging service picks up from there.

Many customers book stripping, preparation and redecoration together, which saves time between stages. That kind of combined project is described on our decorating and wallpapering page.

Local help with a messy job

We are based in Westerhope and strip wallpaper across Newcastle and the surrounding area, from older terraces with layers of woodchip to newer homes with a single layer of vinyl. We give you a realistic idea of how long the room will take, explain anything we find, and clear up properly at the end. Get in touch through the contact page for a free, no-obligation quote.