How to Fix Damaged Drywall from Wallpaper Removal

Step 1: Assess the Damage

Before you start with the repairs, determine the extent of the damage. Small tears and holes are relatively easy to fix, but if you find large areas of your drywall compromised, you may need to replace entire sections.

Step 2: Clean the Wall

Prepping walls for painting after wallpaper removal is extremely important to make sure that you remove all the fluff left behind by the wallpaper. Start by wiping down the wall with a cleaning solution. Wash the walls with TSP and water, which will clear away dried glue globs and any other remnants. Make sure you give your walls a thorough rinse afterwards. Don’t soak your walls, otherwise, you will damage the drywall further. This step ensures there is no leftover wallpaper adhesive or dust that can interfere with your repair work. Make sure to dry the wall well after cleaning.

Step 3: Repair Minor Damage

For small gouges, cuts, or holes, you would need a pre-mixed joint compound and a drywall knife.

• Sand where there is ripped paper and cut any loose edges of paper. You will want to smooth the edges to create a smoother surface for the spackle. Make sure that you wipe away and clean up any dust before you apply the spackle.
• You can find spackle or joint compound in the drywall section of your hardware store. Apply with a putty knife, laying it on thicker where there are holes and gouges.
• Smooth out the spackle until it is as even as possible. Try to avoid leaving knife edges or large globs. Spackle shrinks as it dries so make sure you have good coverage to avoid having to fill in any missed holes afterwards.
• Sand the dried spackle. Make sure to wear a mask for this part, as spackle dust is not good for you and can make you cough a lot if inhaled. Use a sanding block, as it is better for flat surfaces. Make sure to sand the spackle as smoothly as possible but be careful not to over-sand – you might end up having to add more spackle to even out the wall in that case.
• Once everything is dry, give everything a coat of primer using a drywall primer or oil-based primer.

Step 4: Repair Major Damage

Affix a drywall patch to the wall if the damage is larger (more significant than 1 inch across).

• Cut a piece of gypsum board to the size of the damage, then apply joint compound around the edges. Press the patch into place and cover the entire patch with more compound.
• Smooth out the patch so that it blends with the rest of the wall. Let it dry fully.
• Sand the patch after it’s completely dry to ensure it aligns with the rest of the surface.

Step 5: Apply a Drywall Primer

Once all your repairs have dried and are sanded smooth, apply a drywall primer to the wall. This step is essential, as it seals the joint compound and reveals any imperfections you may have missed. If you do find areas that need more work, simply repeat the patching process in those areas.

Step 6: Paint the Wall

After the primer has dried, you’re ready to paint. Apply the paint in thin, even strokes using a roller for the larger areas and a brush for the corners and edges. Depending on the paint type and colour, you may need to apply multiple coats for an even finish.