Wallpaper Scoring Tools: Helpful Removal Aid or Risk to Your Drywall?

If you’ve ever watched a wallpaper-removal video, you’ve probably seen a small handheld tool covered with little wheels or teeth being rolled across the wallpaper.

This is called a wallpaper scoring tool.

The idea is simple: the tool makes tiny holes in the wallpaper so that warm water or wallpaper-removal solution can penetrate through the surface and soften the adhesive underneath.

Sounds like a great idea—and sometimes it is.

But at RPR Contractors, we also know that scoring wallpaper too aggressively can turn a wallpaper-removal project into a drywall-repair project.

What Does a Wallpaper Scoring Tool Do?

Many wallpapers, particularly vinyl-coated and washable wallpapers, are designed to resist moisture.

That is great while the wallpaper is on your wall, but it can make removal difficult because wallpaper-removal solution cannot easily reach the adhesive underneath.

A scoring tool creates small perforations through the wallpaper's surface. These openings allow water or remover to reach the paste behind the paper.

When used correctly, scoring can make stubborn wallpaper considerably easier to remove.

The Problem: Those Little Teeth Don't Know When to Stop

A scoring tool cannot tell the difference between wallpaper and the drywall underneath it.

If you press too hard—or repeatedly roll over the same area—the scoring wheels may penetrate through the wallpaper and damage the paper face of the drywall.

Instead of hundreds of tiny holes in the wallpaper, you may end up with hundreds of tiny holes in your wall.

Once the drywall face has been damaged, simply painting over it isn't always the proper solution.

Damaged drywall paper can bubble, swell or become visible through the finished paint.

That may require:

• Removing loose or damaged drywall paper

• Sealing exposed drywall

• Skim coating damaged areas

• Sanding

• Priming

• And finally painting

What started as wallpaper removal can quickly become a much larger project.

Be Especially Careful With Wallpaper Installed Over Unprimed Drywall

One of the biggest variables in wallpaper removal is how the wall was prepared before the wallpaper was originally installed.

If the drywall was properly primed or sealed before wallpaper installation, removal may go relatively smoothly.

If wallpaper was applied directly to bare drywall, the wallpaper adhesive can bond directly to the drywall's paper surface.

In those situations, aggressive scoring and scraping can easily tear away the drywall face along with the wallpaper.

Unfortunately, you usually don't know exactly what is underneath the wallpaper until you begin removing it.

That's why starting carefully is so important.

Do You Always Need to Score Wallpaper?

No.

One of the biggest mistakes DIYers make is immediately grabbing the scoring tool before determining whether it is actually necessary.

Start by testing a small, inconspicuous section.

Some wallpapers are strippable, meaning large sections may peel away without much effort.

Others are peelable, where the decorative surface comes off first and leaves a paper backing that can then be soaked and removed.

If the wallpaper allows moisture to penetrate adequately without scoring, there may be no reason to put hundreds of unnecessary holes in the wall.

When Can a Scoring Tool Be Helpful?

Scoring can be useful when dealing with stubborn wallpaper that has a moisture-resistant surface, particularly vinyl or heavily coated wallpaper.

The key is light pressure.

You are trying to perforate the wallpaper—not carve into the drywall.

Allow the wallpaper-removal solution time to do the work. Applying more pressure with the scoring tool or scraper doesn't necessarily make the job faster.

Sometimes patience prevents hours of drywall repair later.

Don't Forget About the Scraper

Scoring isn't the only part of wallpaper removal that can damage drywall.

Metal scrapers and putty knives can gouge the wall very quickly when they're forced underneath stubborn wallpaper.

A better approach is to keep the wallpaper adequately wet and softened and allow the adhesive to release before scraping.

A plastic scraper may also be less likely to gouge drywall than an aggressively used metal blade.

Wallpaper Removal Is Often More About Prep Than Pulling Paper

Professional wallpaper removal isn't simply about getting the wallpaper off the wall.

The condition of the wall after the wallpaper is removed is what matters.

Remaining adhesive should be removed or properly addressed. Tears and damaged drywall should be repaired. Walls may require sanding, sealing and priming before finish paint is applied.

Taking shortcuts during removal can show up later as bubbles, rough areas, seams and other imperfections in the finished paint.

The RPR Contractors Bottom Line

Wallpaper scoring tools are useful—but they should not automatically be the first tool you reach for.

First determine what type of wallpaper you're dealing with and how easily it releases.

If scoring is necessary, use only enough pressure to penetrate the wallpaper surface and allow your wallpaper-removal solution time to soften the adhesive.

The goal isn't simply to remove the wallpaper.

The goal is to remove the wallpaper while leaving the wall underneath in the best condition possible.

Need Help With Wallpaper Removal?

RPR Contractors provides professional wallpaper removal, drywall repair and interior painting throughout Phoenixville, Royersford, Pottstown, Chester Springs, North Coventry and surrounding areas.

RPR ContractorsWe Respond and We Show Up.

📞 484-949-5258📧 RPRContractors@aol.com🌐 www.rprcontractors.netPA HIC #PA044395