Painting Over Wallpaper vs. Removing It: What You Need to Know
If your home has wallpaper, and many Lehigh Valley homes built before 1995 do, sooner or later you'll face the question: can I just paint over it? The honest answer is: sometimes, but it's rarely the best option, and it can create significant problems if done without understanding the risks.
At Anthony's Painting, wallpaper removal and installation are services we provide regularly. We've also been called in to fix the aftermath of wallpaper that was painted over without proper technique. Here's what you need to know before making this decision.
When Painting Over Wallpaper Can Work
There are a limited number of scenarios where painting directly over wallpaper is a reasonable approach:
- The wallpaper is in perfect condition, no peeling edges, no bubbles, no loose seams. If any portion has lost adhesion, moisture from paint will accelerate the failure and you'll see bubbling, seam lifting, and eventual paint failure
- The wallpaper is adhered directly to plaster, older plaster walls (common in Lehigh Valley homes from the 1940s, 1960s) sometimes have wallpaper that's essentially become part of the wall; attempting removal can destroy the plaster beneath
- There is only one layer of wallpaper, multiple layers multiply the risk of failure significantly
- The paper is non-vinyl, vinyl wallpaper resists paint adhesion; special oil-based primers are required and even then the results can be unpredictable
Even in the best cases, painting over wallpaper requires careful seam filling, an oil-based primer, and acceptance that the seams may remain faintly visible under certain lighting conditions.
Why Removal Is Almost Always Better
Wallpaper is designed to look good as wallpaper. When you paint over it, you're working against the material's inherent texture and the adhesive underneath. Problems that commonly result from painting over wallpaper include:
- Seam telegraphing, wallpaper seams become visible as the paint dries, especially under raking light
- Moisture-induced bubbling, water-based paint introduces moisture that reactivates adhesive and causes bubbling
- Future removal becomes a nightmare, painted-over wallpaper is dramatically harder to remove than wallpaper that was never painted; the paint seals the paper and prevents the steam or solution from penetrating to the adhesive layer
Removing wallpaper before painting gives you a clean, smooth surface to work with. The finished result looks better, lasts longer, and doesn't hide any ticking time bombs that will create problems in the future.
The Wallpaper Removal Process
Professional wallpaper removal isn't simply a matter of pulling at a corner and hoping for the best. Done correctly, it involves:
- Scoring the surface with a perforating tool to allow removal solution to penetrate the vinyl face layer
- Applying a removal solution (typically a commercial wallpaper remover mixed with water, or a fabric softener solution) and allowing it to dwell
- Removing the paper in sections, the face layer first, then the backing
- Washing the walls to remove all residual adhesive
- Repairing the wall surface, drywall often requires skimming, sanding, and priming before it's ready for paint
The time required varies significantly depending on the type of wallpaper, how many layers exist, what's underneath, and the square footage involved. A room that took a few hours to hang can take a full day to properly strip.
Our Recommendation
If you're considering your options, here's the straightforward advice we give every Lehigh Valley homeowner who asks: remove the wallpaper. Unless you're dealing with a situation where removal would damage a surface that can't be easily repaired, the investment in proper removal pays off in a paint job that looks better and lasts longer.
Anthony's Painting handles both wallpaper removal and new wallpaper installation across the Lehigh Valley. We'll assess your specific situation and give you an honest recommendation on the best path forward.
Ready to get rid of that dated wallpaper? Contact Anthony's Painting for a free estimate. We serve homeowners in Nazareth, Easton, Allentown, Bethlehem, Palmer Township, and throughout the Lehigh Valley.