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When handling a redecoration project, whether in your own home, there are a lot of things that need deliberation. An example of this is what stays on the wall and what leaves. While a lot of people, just want to do what is easy and less time-consuming, you must understand the implications and challenges involved in the decision you are making.
A typical “wall” decision we know many people go back and forth on is whether to put tile over wallpaper. In this article, we’ll be answering your question on if this is ideal to do or you should do otherwise.
According to different decoration and tiling companies, tiling over a wallpaper may not be the wisest thing to do. While there are several reasons you should not tile over wallpaper, an important reason is that over time, the unremoved wallpaper can damage the tile adhesive and cause the tiles to crack or remove on time.
We suggest you remove your wallpaper before you tile. Although tiling over a wallpaper may seem acceptable and the right thing to do to save time, it is not what you should do, if you are thinking long-term.
Pros And Cons Of Installing Tile Over Wallpaper
Recently, many people have gone the route of not removing wallpaper before tiling their walls. The following are some of the pros and cons you need to know before choosing which to go with.
Pros:
1. Time And Cost Saving
This is one of the most known advantages of not removing your wallpaper before tiling the walls. Removing wallpaper can be time-consuming, depending on the type of wallpaper you have on your wall.
You may need to buy equipment and tools to remove the wallpaper. In other cases, you may need to hire someone to do the job for you. This will have you spend more money and save time. When you tile over existing wallpaper, you save yourself the time and money you would have paid.
2. Durability
Some people believe that having wallpaper on the wall first before a tile can offer more protection to the wall’s surface. The wallpaper can serve as an extra barrier against moisture from the wall.
This may serve as an advantage to you if you live in areas that are prone to humidity or in places around the home such as the bathroom and kitchen. It may also be advantageous in providing more insulation to the home.
Cons
1. Decreased Adhesion
One of the main disadvantages of tiling over wallpaper is the reduced strength of the adhesive. Placing tiles over bare walls is more secure and stable than placing the tiles over wallpaper.
Tiles and heavy and over time, the weight of the tiles as well as moisture will affect the wallpaper and it will begin to loosen. In no time, the tiles will become detached and get messy. In the long run, you may have to repair or replace the times and this will incur more costs.
2. Uneven Surface
Another common challenge of tiling over wallpaper is that it can cause an uneven surface. The texture and pattern of the wallpaper can cause the tiles to be placed in an uneven form.
This will not be a problem if the wallpaper has a glossy or non-porous surface, however, if the wallpaper doesn’t, it will affect the overall finishing of the tiles and make it look unprofessional. An imperfect wallpaper can easily affect the result of the tiling.
3. Tiling Option
In choosing the right type of tile, to fit the wallpaper, you might face some limitations. There are specific tiles that are suitable for tiling over wallpaper-thin and lightweight tiles as they cause less strain on the wallpaper. However, you may not find this on time.
4. Mold Growth
A common issue is mold and mildew. When you place tiles over wallpaper, there is a tendency for moisture to be trapped in between the layers of the different materials. The dampness coming from the wall can lead to mold or mildew growth and this may not be good for the health of the home and the overall look of the walls.
How To Get Rid Of Stubborn Wallpaper
A common reason many people want to tile over wallpaper is the inability to get the wallpaper off the wall. If you have a wallpaper that isn’t coming off, the steps below will help you to remove them.
1. Removing Wallpaper
The first step to take is to try to get as much wallpaper off as possible. There are tools available to help in this process. One of the seamless ways to get the wallpaper off the wall is to scrape the wallpaper as often as possible until a large amount of it is off.
For stubborn wallpapers, you can purchase some wallpaper removers such as Roman’s wallpaper and paste removal, Wagner steam cleaner, and many others that you can find in stores or online. Ensure to apply them as directed by the manufacturer.
2. Remove Adhesive
After the wallpaper is off, you may find lumps of adhesives on the wall. Get a liquid soap and apply them to the wall, this should loosen the adhesive. Ensure you do not put as much water on the wall, because this can damage or affect the wall.
Apply a little liquid soap on the lumps of adhesive. When it is loose, get a putty knife, and with the flat side of the knife, scrape the adhesive off.
Final Thoughts
Although it is possible to tile over wallpaper, it is not recommended in most cases. The disadvantages of tiling over wallpaper are more and have a lasting effect than the advantages. If you intend to achieve a long-lasting and professional-looking tile result, we recommend that you should remove the wallpaper before you tile the walls.
We have included the steps above to help you remove stubborn wallpapers. If you are unsure of the best way to get rid of wallpaper for tiles, then we recommend that you consult a professional tile installer.
