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Painting over wallpaper might seem like a quick and easy alternative to stripping it, but there are numerous reasons you shouldn’t. The professional painters at Bill’s Painting in Cincinnati, Ohio, warn do-it-yourselfers that taking this seemingly easy way out can have unwanted consequences. Simply consider these three reasons why stripping the wallpaper before you start painting is the better choice.

Cincinnati Painters Explain 3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Paint Over Wallpaper

1. It Loosens the Wallpaper

Chemically, wallpaper and paintpainters don’t mix well. Wallpaper paste is water-based, and the moisture from paint will seep into the paper’s seams, weakening its adhesion. In some cases, the paint will make the wallpaper itself begin to shrink. Added together, this means the wallpaper will slowly begin to come away from the wall in sections. Ultimately, you’ve wasted time and money because you’ll have to strip the paper and start anew.

2. It Simply Doesn’t Look Good

Wallpaper will always contain seams and textures that are made more visible when they’re painted over. Anyone looking at your walls will know immediately you painted over it. Trying to smooth away visible lines also only weakens the glue that keeps the paper attached to the wall. Ultimately, your paint job will look sloppy and messy and need to be redone sooner rather than later.

3. It Wastes Your Materials

A common practice by amateur painters is to apply multiple coats to try and hide the seams and texture of the wallpaper underneath. This only creates a caked layer of paint that can become brittle, crack, and flake off, leaving visible flaws. Not only is this a lot of effort, but it tends to waste a lot of paint.

If you dread the task of stripping away wallpaper and painting your interior, simply call professional painters to handle the job for you. The team at Bill’s Painting specializes in exterior house painting and interior painting services. Call (513) 742-3937 or visit them online to schedule a consultation today.

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