Renovating your home and bumping into some old wallpaper is pretty much a given. It could be ugly or old and sad-looking, but either way, you’re probably thinking it’d be great to get a plasterer in to smooth things over. Literally, so, the big question pops up: Can you just slap some plaster over that wallpaper and call it a day, or do you need to strip it all off first?
Let’s be honest: Any plasterer who knows their stuff will tell you straight up – that wallpaper has got to go. No shortcuts here.
So, what’s the big deal if you try to plaster over the wallpaper? Well, for starters, you’re probably going to annoy the plasterer, especially if they’ve already told you the wallpaper needs to come off. They’ll end up having to peel it off themselves, and yeah, they’ll likely charge you extra for the hassle.
Plastering Over Wallpaper
Going ahead and plastering over wallpaper might seem like a quick fix, but here’s the thing: it’s likely to backfire. You’ll end up with blisters where the plaster covers the wallpaper, and these won’t show up until you’re putting on that second coat and thinking you’ve dodged a bullet. The aftermath? A mess, depending on how much wallpaper you left on the walls.
If you’re lucky and only missed a few spots, you can try to scrape off the plaster and wallpaper bits, patch it up, and hope for the best. Once the plaster dries, you’ll probably need to do some touch-ups.
But what if you’re staring at your walls, thinking there’s no way to get that stubborn wallpaper off? Heard that one before. But trust me, there’s always a way to strip that paper off the walls, even the most stubborn kinds.
Enter the wallpaper steamer – your best bet for getting rid of wallpaper. It might get a bit messy with water dripping everywhere, but with a good scraper in hand, you’re all set. If you’re dealing with shiny wallpaper that’s laughing in the face of steam, a quick score with a utility knife will let the steam get under there and do its job.
Stripping wallpaper might not be your idea of a good time, but it’s got to be done. You can’t just plaster over it and hope for the best. Getting the wallpaper off, even from the ceiling (yep, people used to do that), is key to a smooth plastering job that looks good and lasts.
So, to summarise…
No, you can’t plaster over wallpaper. No, you shouldn’t even try. It is not good practice if it does manage to stay on the wall.
It’s not worth the risk of plastering over wallpaper, so don’t even consider it as an option.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about whether you can plaster over wallpaper. There are quite a few posts like this on Plasterers News as we are trying to answer all of the general questions that plasterers get asked on a regular basis.
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Suggested Further Reading
“DIY Guide to Painting and Wallpapering: A Complete Handbook to Finishing Walls and Trim for a Stylish Home“ by Michael R. Light – This book offers comprehensive advice on dealing with wallpaper, including removal techniques, as well as tips on painting and finishing your walls for a fresh look.
“The Complete Guide to Finishing Walls & Ceilings: Includes Plaster, Skim-coating, and Texture Ceiling Finishes“ by Tom Lemmer – A great resource for anyone looking to understand the ins and outs of wall and ceiling finishes, including how to properly prepare surfaces that previously had wallpaper.
“Wallpaper in Interior Decoration“ by Gill Saunders – For those interested in the history and aesthetic potential of wallpaper, this book provides a fascinating look at wallpaper’s role in interior decoration over the years, which might inspire you to either preserve or choose new wallpaper more thoughtfully.
These books should provide a wealth of information, from the basics of wallpaper removal and wall preparation to the finer points of achieving a professional-looking finish. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a complete novice, there’s always something new to learn that can make your project go smoother and result in a more polished outcome.