Understanding the Risks of Wallpaper Removal and How to Avoid Them

For most DIYers, wallpaper removal can seem like a pretty simple project they wouldn’t hesitate to attempt, but it can often bring with it several risks, dangers, and potential for disaster. Many don’t seem to understand these risks, opting to make an attempt on their own either out of convenience, time constraints, or in an attempt to save money. Prior to taking that DIY step, consider if DIY wallpaper removal is worth the risks. Should you really dismiss calling in a professional?

Exposure to Harmful Chemicals:

The way we build homes has changed, and so have the materials we use. Depending on the age of your home, existing wallpaper may have been installed using adhesives that contain potentially harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or even asbestos and lead. If not properly addressed during the removal process, you and your household could be exposed. It is important to know that prolonged exposure to these toxins can lead to respiratory problems, headaches, and other far-reaching health effects.

VOCs

Volatile organic compounds commonly found in traditional wallpaper adhesives are made of organic chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. According to the EPA, long-term exposure to VOCs can cause serious health issues like liver, kidney, central nervous system damage, or even cancer. Before gloving up and tearing down that old wallpaper, grab a VOC test kit online or at a home improvement store. Alternatively, hire a professional environmental consultant or indoor air quality specialist to help you out.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas with a strong, pungent smell that was commonly used in wallpaper glue. Especially when inhaled, formaldehyde can cause health issues like eye, nose, and throat irritation, serious respiratory difficulties, skin rashes, nausea, and cancers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as a human carcinogen, and it has been linked to nasopharyngeal cancer. If you plan on DIYing your wallpaper removal, make sure you use an at-home formaldehyde test kit or digital meter or consult a professional to help protect your health.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that were widely used in wallpaper adhesives before being banned and heavily regulated. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, tiny fibers can become airborne and inhaled. This causes diseases like asbestosis, pleural disease, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, which rarely appear until decades after exposure. If you’re worried about asbestos in your wallpaper glue, don’t DIY it—hire a professional to test and remove it for you.

Lead

When wallpaper containing lead-based adhesive deteriorates or is removed, lead particles may become airborne or settle as dust. When inhaled or ingested, it can cause reduced cognitive ability, behavioral problems, nervous system damage, renal impairment, reproductive problems, hypertension, and more. In children, lead exposure can also cause developmental issues. Before your wallpaper removal project, grab an at-home lead test kit or consult a professional for a more thorough assessment. This is especially important for U.S. houses built before 1978. It wasn’t until then that lead-based paint was federally banned.

Mold and Mildew Growth

While on the surface, your wallpaper may look clean and pristine; harmful bacteria could be exposed during the wallpaper removal. When moisture has collected underneath the paper over time, mold and mildew can not only form but thrive. As before, if not addressed appropriately during the removal process, you could unintentionally release large quantities of spores into the air and your home. Not only does this pose a health hazard, but it helps both the mold and mildew spread to new areas.

Electric Hazards

We’ve discussed the potential risk to your walls, but behind them lies another potential issue: electrical wiring. If you do not practice caution, you may accidentally cut or puncture an electrical component during the wallpaper removal process, which may result in an electrical shock, fire, or even electrocution.

Injuries from Falls

When removing wallpaper, you may find yourself using ladders, step stools, or scaffolding to reach high walls or ceilings. Each poses a risk for falls and serious injuries. Even a seemingly minor fall can result in a sprain, fracture, or other injury—often, the hectic nature of a DIY project allows essential safety precautions, like securing ladders, to go by the wayside.

Damage to Surrounding Surfaces

Removing wallpaper takes quite a bit of elbow grease and can be a messy process. Large quantities of adhesive residue and debris will accumulate. If not properly contained and removed, you could potentially harm or damage surrounding areas like the floors, trim, fixtures, or furniture. Poor or downright incorrect techniques can lead to gouges, scratches, and holes in the drywall. These damages are costly to repair and will slow down your progress.

Undue Stress

Finally, it is also important to consider the amount of stress that may come with DIY wallpaper removal. From unexpected challenges over slow progress and setbacks, you may experience a significant amount of frustration along the way. If you find yourself lacking the right tools, techniques, or expertise in the middle of the project, you will need to engage a professional who may end up having to charge you more to rectify damage to your home.

Need Help Removing Wallpaper? Call the Experts at Five Star Painting!

While removing wallpaper on your own may seem like a great way to save a few bucks, it is important to carefully consider whether the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Hiring a professional may be the best path forward for getting the results you want.

Five Star Painting has a team of knowledgeable experts who provide efficient, high-quality wallpaper removal services. The best part? Five Star Painting is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise^®, meaning exceptional is our standard.

Say goodbye to that outdated design and hello to a new look for your home you’ll love. Give us a call or schedule a free estimate online to get started!

This article is intended for general guidance only and is not applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and situation. Five Star Painting is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of advice and/or guidance derived from its blog content.

Some Five Star Painting services vary by location. Contact your local Five Star Painting franchise for more information.