How Often Should You Repaint Your Commercial Building in Frederick, MD?
September 2, 2026
Exterior Paint Color Trends to Boost Curb Appeal in Frederick, MD
September 9, 2026
Some wallpaper practically falls off the wall. The rest fights you for every inch—especially old paper, painted-over paper, or three layers glued to plaster in a century-old Frederick home. If you’ve hit a wall (literally), this guide explains how to remove old wallpaper when the easy method fails, the right tools for tough jobs, and when the smart move is to hand it to a pro.
First, Identify What You’re Dealing With
The right technique depends entirely on the type of paper and what’s behind it. Before you soak or scrape, test a corner:
- Peels away dry and clean? It’s strippable—count yourself lucky.
- Comes off in small, stubborn pieces? It’s likely a traditional or older paper that needs soaking or steam.
- Water beads and won’t soak in? It’s non-porous (vinyl, foil, or painted-over) and must be scored first.
- Multiple layers? Expect to work through them one at a time.
Knowing your enemy saves hours of frustration and prevents wall damage.
The Tools That Make Tough Jobs Easier
Stubborn wallpaper calls for more than a putty knife and elbow grease. The essentials:
- A scoring tool to perforate non-porous surfaces so moisture can reach the glue.
- A wallpaper steamer for heat-set adhesives and multiple layers.
- A quality removal solution or hot water with a wallpaper-stripping additive.
- A wide, flexible scraper that lifts paper without gouging drywall.
- Drop cloths and a sponge for the messy adhesive stage.
Step by Step: Removing Stubborn Wallpaper
Here’s the reliable sequence when the peel-and-pull method fails.
- Protect the room. Cover floors and outlets; wet work and electricity don’t mix.
- Score non-porous paper. Lightly perforate the surface so moisture can penetrate—press gently to avoid scoring the wall.
- Apply heat or solution. Use steam wallpaper removal for tough or layered paper, or soak with a removal solution and let it sit.
- Scrape at a low angle. Lift the loosened paper with a wide scraper, working with the wall, not into it.
- Repeat for each layer. With multiple layers of wallpaper, treat and remove one layer at a time.
- Remove the glue. Wash off all residual adhesive—paint won’t stick over it.
- Rinse and let dry before any repairs or priming.
Handling the Toughest Cases
A few situations are notoriously difficult:
| Situation | The Challenge | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Painted-over wallpaper | Paint seals out moisture | Score thoroughly, then steam |
| Multiple layers | Each layer re-glued over the last | Steam and remove layer by layer |
| Plaster walls | Easy to gouge; absorbs water | Gentle steam, patient scraping |
| Wallpaper on unprimed drywall | Paper bonds to the drywall face | Often needs pro removal + skim coat |
That last row is the big one. When paper was hung directly on unprimed drywall, the adhesive can bond to the drywall’s paper face—removal often tears the surface and requires skim-coating to fix. This is where DIY jobs most often go sideways.
When to Call a Professional
Stop and call a pro if you’re facing several layers, painted-over paper on plaster, large or high walls, or paper that’s tearing the drywall as it comes off. A professional brings commercial steamers, the right solutions, and the experience to remove stubborn paper without wrecking the wall—then leaves it smooth and paint-ready. Understanding why wallpaper removal matters before painting shows why that paint-ready finish is worth it. For extra technique tips, This Old House is a helpful outside reference.
Get Those Walls Smooth Again
Removing old, stubborn wallpaper comes down to identifying the paper, using heat or the right solution, and working patiently one layer at a time. When the job threatens your walls—or your weekend—a professional can strip it cleanly and hand you a flawless surface ready for paint.
Facing a tough wallpaper job? Explore our wallpaper removal service in Frederick, and if you’re nearby, we also serve homeowners in Walkersville.
Frederick Painting & Supply, Inc. proudly serves Frederick, MD and the surrounding communities of Urbana, Walkersville, Middletown, Braddock Heights, Ballenger Creek, and Spring Ridge. Call 301-473-4773 or visit our contact page to request a free, no-pressure estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to remove old wallpaper?
For strippable paper, peeling from a corner may be enough. For old or stubborn paper, the easiest effective method is steam wallpaper removal, since heat loosens the adhesive. Non-porous or painted-over paper must be scored first so moisture can reach the glue.
How do you remove multiple layers of wallpaper?
Work through the layers one at a time rather than trying to strip them all at once. Score if needed, apply steam or a removal solution, scrape the top layer, then repeat for each layer beneath. Multiple layers take significant time and often justify professional help.
How do you get wallpaper glue off the wall?
After the paper is removed, wash the wall with warm water and a wallpaper-adhesive remover or a mild solution, then rinse. All residue must come off because paint and new paper won’t adhere over old glue. Let the wall dry fully before priming or repairs.
Can you remove wallpaper that’s been painted over?
Yes, but it’s one of the hardest cases because the paint seals out moisture. You’ll need to score the surface thoroughly so steam or solution can reach the adhesive, then remove it patiently. Painted-over paper on plaster is often best left to a professional.
Why is my wallpaper tearing the drywall when I remove it?
This usually happens when paper was hung on unprimed drywall, so the adhesive bonded to the drywall’s paper face. Removal can tear that surface, requiring skim-coating to repair. A professional can minimize the damage and leave the wall smooth and paint-ready.
Shawn Zimmerman started painting in the summer of 1991, the year before he graduated high school. Shawn decided to pursue his career in the family business and continued to develop his skills in the trade while also developing the necessary skills to manage the business. Shawn enjoys being outdoors, canoeing, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing and spending time with family.
