A wall steamer is primarily used for removing wallpaper, loosening the adhesive with steam.
Using a wall steamer effectively involves preparation and following specific steps to safely and efficiently remove wallpaper. Based on best practices, here is a breakdown of the process:
1. Determine Your Wallpaper Type
Before you begin, it's crucial to understand the type of wallpaper you're dealing with. Depending on whether your wallpaper is porous or non-porous, you might need to carry out some prep work before using the steamer. Non-porous wallpapers (like vinyl or those with a protective coating) may need to be scored first to allow the steam to penetrate the backing paper and adhesive.
2. Prepare the Room
Proper room preparation is essential for safety and cleanliness.
- Remove all furniture from the room or move it to the center and cover it with protective sheeting.
- Cover the floor with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect it from falling debris and water.
- Turn off the power to the room at the breaker box to avoid contact with electrical outlets or switches while working with moisture. Consider removing outlet and switch covers.
- Ensure adequate ventilation by opening windows or using fans.
3. Set Up the Wallpaper Steamer
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for assembling and filling the steamer with water.
- Typically, this involves filling the reservoir with the recommended amount of tap water (check if distilled water is required).
- Connect the hose and the steam plate.
- Allow the unit to heat up until it produces a steady stream of steam, which usually takes several minutes.
4. Hold the Plate Against the Wall
Once the steamer is ready, hold the steam plate firmly against the section of wallpaper you want to remove.
- Keep the plate in place for approximately 20-30 seconds. The exact time can vary depending on the wallpaper type and adhesive strength.
- You should start to see the wallpaper becoming saturated and potentially bubbling slightly as the heat and moisture loosen the adhesive.
5. Strip the Wallpaper
Work in manageable sections. After holding the plate against an area:
- Remove the steamer plate and immediately use a scraping tool, such as a wallpaper scraper or putty knife, to gently lift and peel the loosened wallpaper from the wall.
- Angle the scraper flat against the wall to avoid damaging the drywall surface underneath.
- Continue this process, steaming and scraping sections, moving systematically across the wall.
- For stubborn areas or multiple layers, you may need to repeat the steaming process.
Key Considerations:
- Safety: Always wear gloves and potentially safety glasses to protect against hot steam and falling debris.
- Patience: Steaming can be time-consuming, especially on large areas or difficult wallpaper.
- Wall Repair: Once all wallpaper and adhesive residue are removed, you may need to clean the walls and perform any necessary repairs before painting or applying new wall covering.
Following these steps, incorporating preparation and careful execution as highlighted by the process reference, will guide you through using a wall steamer effectively for wallpaper removal.
