Safe and Simple© Wallpaper Removal Products and Services

      

Although this page is not complete yet, it does hold many answers to frequently asked questions from customers and vendors. We will soon post a larger and more comprehensive F.A.Q page. Please if you have any questions, you can contact us and we will do our best to answer as soon as possible. Thank you for your trust and understanding

F.A.Q

F.A.Q
 

Why hire a contractor?

  • Contractor's have the manpower to do the job to meet your schedule.
  • Contractor's have the tools and equipment to perform the work.
  • Contractor's have the experience to remove the wallpaper with less wall damage.
  • Contractor's have the experience to remove difficult wallpapers.       Contractor's will provide you with a free advice.

What should I consider when hiring a contractor?

  • Is the contractor licensed? Some states require that a contractor be licensed.  Click here to check your state.
  • Does the contractor have liability insurance? Most states do not require contractors to have liability insurance.  California law requires that a contractor must tell you in writing at the time of the estimate. 
  • Does the contractor have worker's compensation insurance? It is a federal law that a contractor must have worker's compensation insurance if they have employees
  • If you have homeowner's insurance, why does it matter?  Isn't the work covered under my policy? It depends on your policy.  However in the event of damage to your property or injury to a workman your policy would be "secondary".  The contractor's insurance would be primary.

What removal products will the contractor use?

Will there be wall damage?

  • An experienced contractor will cause less damage than a novice.  Ask the contractor to test a small area to determine.

What will the contractor include?

Ask the contractor to include a written scope of work.  Consider furniture moving, window treatment removal & reinstallation, floor covering protection, cabinetry protection, and trash removal.

                    Ask the contractor to put it in writing.

How do I know if I have the right contractor? 

  • Ask the contractor to prove in writing (to you) licensing, insurance, MSDS sheets of materials, scope of work, & pricing.
  • Ask the contractor about their experience.  Don't believe a preprinted "referrals list."  Ask the contractor for the name & telephone number of a nearby customer that they performed work for.
  • Ask the contractor the methods and procedures they will perform.  Be wary of quick answers.  Ask as many questions as you like until you completely understand the contractor's answers.
  • Ask the contractor about methods of payment.  Stay away from those that require a 50% deposit.
  • Get more than one estimate.  Compare estimates but make sure you compare the estimates fairly in regards to what is or is not included.
  • Don't make rash decisions.  If your "gut feeling" is telling you something, listen.

 

 

Should I use a steamer?
   Not recommended. there are several reasons. They are expensive to purchase or rent, and often difficult to find. Our new Safe and Simple remover solutions work just as well. In addition, if you are careless or inexperienced, you can be severely burned.
Can I just repaper over the existing paper?
   If you paper over an existing wallcovering, the old seams may show through, or the new adhesive may react with the old wallcovering, causing blisters or delamination. The warranty of the wallcovering and/or the adhesive may be voided, and future removal will be more difficult.
Can I just paint over the existing paper?
   If you paint over wallcovering, the seams may show, the paint may cause the wallcovering to blister, the paint warranty may be voided, and future removal will be much more difficult.
How much solution do I need?
   One eight ounce bottle of Safe and Simple removal solution is enough to do two average bedrooms.
How do I apply the solution?
   We recommend a common pump-up garden sprayer. Put one ounce of solution in the sprayer for each gallon of water added. Spray on the wall.
 How do I remove painted over paper?
   Use a perforating or scoring tool on the entire area. Wet the surface with mixed solution lightly several times. Keep the entire area wet, waiting 10 to 15 minutes between soakings. Scrape an area and re-wet any dry areas. It is recommended that you scrape one area while soaking another area. Work left and right, up and down, back and forth between areas. Patience is a must for this removal.
 If my paper is on bare drywall, how do I remove it?
   Follow the basic instructions in our wallpaper removal guide for the type of paper being removed. Wall damage may be unavoidable.
 How do I repair damaged drywall?
   We recommend using Draw-Tite over the damaged drywall prior to smooth coating with drywall topping compound. This should be primed or sealed prior to painting or re-hanging wallcovering.
How do I determine the type of wallcovering I have?
   Several pages in our wallpaper removal guide are devoted to determining the various types of wallcovering and recommended removal techniques.
How do I remove grasscloth?
   It is not the most difficult wallcoverings to remove, but it is one of the messiest removals. Test a small area by first dry peeling the outer layer and wetting the backing layer. Wait 10 to 15 minutes, the backing should scrape off readily. For other options, see our wallcovering removal guide.
How do I remove paper back vinyl?
   Peel the outer vinyl layer off dry. Soak the backing layer, wait 10 to 15 minutes and scrape off. For more detailed instructions or options, see our wallcovering removal guide.