Older homes
Removing Wallpaper From Plaster Walls in Older Atlanta Homes
Wallpaper on plaster is removed by scoring the paper, soaking it with a remover so the old paste softens, and peeling it slowly with the scraper held at a low angle, because damp plaster gouges easily. After removal the plaster is repaired, sanded, cleaned and sealed with a primer. In homes built before 1978, any painted layers should be treated as possible lead paint until tested.
In short
- Plaster is harder than drywall but damp plaster gouges easily.
- Gel removers stay wet longer and are easier to control on walls.
- Old homes may have several layers of paper and paint.
- Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint: test before sanding or scraping paint.
Before you start
- Know the age of the house. The EPA warns that homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Paper itself is not lead, but paint layers under or over it may be. Test before sanding or scraping painted surfaces.
- Check for layers. Older homes often have paper painted over or papered over more than once.
- Look for loose plaster. Cracks and bulges should be stabilized, not soaked.
How removal works on plaster
- Score the paper lightly so remover can reach the paste.
- Apply remover: Roman, an adhesive maker, recommends gel removers on plaster because they stay wet longer and do not run.
- Wait 10 to 15 minutes for the paste to soften, longer for old pastes.
- Peel and scrape gently, keeping the scraper at a low angle.
- Wash off paste residue and let the wall dry completely.
Repair and prime
After removal, small cracks and gouges are filled, the wall is sanded and cleaned, and a primer seals the porous surface. If new wallpaper is going up, a wallcovering primer or liner gives it a stable base. See surface preparation.
Where we see this
Plaster walls are most common in older intown Atlanta neighborhoods and historic homes around Metro Atlanta. Newer Gwinnett homes are almost always drywall, which needs a different approach. See wallpaper removal cost in Gwinnett.
Where we work: neighborhoods and ZIP codes
We remove paper from plaster in older homes in Ansley Park, Midtown, Buckhead, North Druid Hills, Roswell and Marietta.
North Atlanta: Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Midtown
- 30305 Buckhead
- 30327 Buckhead / Tuxedo Park
- 30342 Buckhead / Sandy Springs
- 30328 Sandy Springs
- 30350 Sandy Springs / Dunwoody
- 30338 Dunwoody
- 30319 Brookhaven
- 30324 Brookhaven / Lindbergh
- 30329 North Druid Hills
- 30341 Chamblee / Brookhaven
- 30339 Vinings / Cumberland
- 30309 Midtown / Ansley Park
- 30318 West Midtown / Westside
Roswell and East Cobb
- 30075 Roswell
- 30076 Roswell
- 30077 Roswell
- 30062 Marietta / East Cobb
- 30066 Marietta / East Cobb
- 30068 Marietta / East Cobb
Gwinnett County
- 30017 Grayson
- 30096 Duluth
- 30092 Peachtree Corners
- 30071 Norcross
- 30093 Norcross
- 30043 Lawrenceville
- 30045 Lawrenceville
- 30046 Lawrenceville
- 30019 Dacula
- 30052 Loganville
- 30078 Snellville
- 30039 Snellville
- 30518 Buford / Sugar Hill
- 30519 Buford
Also serving: Alpharetta, Milton and Johns Creek; Cumming; Woodstock, Canton and Hall County. Not sure we cover your street? Send your ZIP code with a quote request.
About WallPros. WallPros LLC is a wallpaper installation company based in Grayson, Georgia, serving Gwinnett County, North Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, East Cobb, Cumming and the rest of Metro Atlanta for 10 years. We install, remove and prepare walls for homeowners, interior designers and builders.
Sources
FAQ
Common questions
Is it harder to remove wallpaper from plaster or drywall?
Plaster tolerates water better than drywall, but it gouges when damp and repairs take skill. Drywall's paper face tears more easily.
Can you steam wallpaper off plaster?
Steam can work on stubborn old paper, but it softens plaster too, so it is used carefully and in small sections.
Do I need to test for lead?
If the home was built before 1978 and painted surfaces will be disturbed, testing is the safe first step.