How do I remove multiple layers of old wallpaper in a Moncton home built in the 1970s?

Removing multiple layers of old wallpaper in a 1970s Moncton home is a significant project, but it's very doable with the right method: score, soak, and strip one layer at a time. Trying to rush multiple layers off at once tears up the drywall beneath and creates a much bigger repair job.

Homes built in the 1970s in Moncton and across New Brunswick almost universally have drywall rather than plaster, which is important to know because drywall requires a gentler touch than old plaster walls. The paper face of drywall is your enemy here — once it tears, you're looking at skim coating before painting. Go slow and wet.

The process that works:

Start with a perforation scorer tool (the Zinsser Paper Tiger is a common choice at NB hardware stores). Roll it over the entire surface to punch small holes through the wallpaper layers. Don't press too hard — you're creating channels for water to penetrate, not gouging the wall. With multiple layers, this step is especially important because the outer layers act as a waterproof barrier that prevents soaking solution from reaching the adhesive.

Mix a wallpaper removal solution — DIF Concentrate mixed with warm water is reliable and available at most NB hardware stores and paint shops. Apply generously with a garden sprayer or large sponge, working in sections of about 1 to 1.5 square metres at a time. Let it soak for five to ten minutes, then use a 15 cm flexible plastic scraper or a wide putty knife to peel the wallpaper away. Work slowly and at a low angle to avoid digging into the drywall. Wipe excess adhesive off the wall with a wet sponge as you go — residue that dries hard is harder to remove later.

With 1970s homes specifically, watch for a couple of things. First, the wallpaper may have been hung without sizing (a preparatory coating over the drywall), which means the adhesive bonded directly to the drywall paper face. When this happens, the top layer of the drywall tears away with the wallpaper. Wetting it slowly and removing small sections reduces this risk. Second, some 1970s vinyl wallpapers have a fabric backing that stays behind after the decorative face strips away. That backing layer needs its own soaking and scraping before you're done.

A note on lead paint: Homes built in the 1970s may have lead paint on the trim, doors, and window frames, but the wallpaper and drywall itself are generally not a lead concern. If you're uncertain about any painted surfaces you uncover, test before sanding with a lead test kit available at hardware stores.

This is a job many NB homeowners tackle themselves for a single room, but for a full-house removal or older homes with many layers, hiring a professional painter who does wallpaper removal regularly will save you days of work and reduce the risk of drywall damage that needs professional repair.

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