Removing Wallpaper Damaged My Drywall: How to Fix It

If removing wallpaper tore your drywall, stop pulling, and don't paint over the damage. Torn drywall can be fixed. The remaining paper comes off with water and a gentle scrape, the torn face paper gets sealed with the right primer, and the wall is skim coated smooth before painting.

Why wallpaper takes drywall with it

When drywall isn't primed before wallpaper goes up, the paste bonds straight to the drywall's paper face. Years later, pulling the wallpaper pulls that face paper too, leaving rough brown paper or gouges behind. Dry scraping makes it worse.

Step 1: Remove the rest of the wallpaper properly

Start on an undamaged section, not the torn area. Peel off the top layer if it comes away dry. Score what's left lightly, soak it with warm water or a wallpaper remover, and give it several minutes to soften. Then lift it with a wide putty knife held at a low angle. If the knife starts lifting drywall paper, soak longer and work more gently. See removing wallpaper from unprimed drywall.

Step 2: Wash off the paste and let the wall dry

Wash the wall with warm water to remove leftover paste, which can make paint crack or peel later. Let the wall dry completely.

Step 3: Seal the torn drywall

Exposed brown paper is the key problem. If water-based compound or paint goes straight onto it, the paper soaks up the moisture and bubbles. Seal torn areas first with an oil-based or shellac-based primer, or a sealer made for damaged drywall. Cut away any loose, raised paper before you prime.

Step 4: Skim coat, sand, prime and paint

Once the sealer dries, skim the damaged areas with thin coats of joint compound, sand them smooth, and prime the whole wall before painting. Deep gouges and holes get patched first. See how to patch a hole in drywall.

Wallpaper removal and wall repair in Orlando

New Ceilings removes wallpaper, repairs the drywall underneath and paints across Orlando and Central Florida. If the removal is already underway and the wall is torn, we pick up where you left off. Every job starts with a free written quote. See wallpaper removal.