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How to Prepare a New Wall to Hang Wallpaper
by Andrea Lott
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Overview
Whether a new home or a remodel, new walls need preparation before hanging wallpaper. Proper preparation helps ensure that the wallpaper will adhere correctly and last as long as possible. Wall preparation can also help you change the room's look when the time comes by allowing the wallpaper to release easily. Although preparing the walls before hanging wallpaper adds time to the overall project, it can actually save time in the long run when the project needs fewer repairs or less frequent replacement.
Wallpaper gives walls both texture and color.
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Step 1
Remove switch plates and outlet covers throughout the room with a screwdriver.
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Step 2
Check the new wall for flaws left by the contractors during construction. Sand down high spots and fill any holes or low spots using drywall filler compound applied with a trowel. Allow the compound to dry according to manufacturer's instructions and sand to blend into the drywall.
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Step 3
Clean the walls with a damp rag to remove any dirt or sanding dust. Vacuum away the sanding dust from the room to prevent it from getting caught in the wallpaper adhesive or redepositing while priming the wall.
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Step 4
Paint the room with an acrylic primer/sealer made for wallpaper application. Drywall primer/sealer encourages good wallpaper adhesion and protects the drywall.
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Step 5
Mix wallpaper sizing with water according to manufacturer's instructions if needed to prepare the wall. The manufacturer of the wallpaper you want to hang will list in its application instructions whether it recommends sizing before hanging or not. Apply the mixed wallpaper sizing to the wall with a paint roller.
- 3
- Screwdriver
Sandpaper
Drywall filler compound
Trowel or putty knife
Rag
Vacuum
Primer/sealer
Paint rollers
Paint tray
Wallpaper sizing (optional)
- Screwdriver
- Sandpaper
- Drywall filler compound
- Trowel or putty knife
- Rag
- Vacuum
- Primer/sealer
- Paint rollers
- Paint tray
- Wallpaper sizing (optional)
- Most new modern walls are made from drywall, but a few may be plaster. Plaster walls require wallpaper sizing before hanging wallpaper.
- Most new modern walls are made from drywall, but a few may be plaster. Plaster walls require wallpaper sizing before hanging wallpaper.
- Improper wall preparation can cause wallpaper to pull away from the wall as the glue dries, damaging or ruining the job.
- Improper wall preparation can cause wallpaper to pull away from the wall as the glue dries, damaging or ruining the job.
