When it’s time to hang that designer wallpaper you’ve had your eye on for ages, there’s sure to be one obstacle with the potential to ruin that professional-looking finish – the power socket – and usually more than one.
Every home has them, so don’t shy away from the fact that you’ll need to cut your precious wallpaper when trying to paper around them.
To ensure a successful cut, you will need the right one Wallpaper tools and techniques, and a slow, methodical approach. Trying to rush the process with a blunt tool will only lead to rough cuts, unsightly gaps, and the distinct possibility that you’ll have to start over. Follow these guidelines to ensure this doesn’t happen.
You will need tools to wallpaper around the sockets
The right tools are essential to success when wallpapering around a socket. At Nischal Pomu, Director Platinum PaintsHe points out two main factors you need to consider.
“The key is to have sharp tools and take your time instead of trying to make a quick cut,” he says, listing the following essential tools:
Access Decor Precision Edge
This wallpaper tool comes with a 50cm stainless steel trimming edge blade that features both ink and metric measurements laser-etched onto the blade. Ideal for precision cutting.
Solvite Ready-Mixed Wall Covering Adhesive
Save time with this 10kg ready-mixed, ready-to-use wallpaper adhesive that covers up to 10 rolls. Contains added polymer for high grip and protection against mold.
Coral PaperWiz 3-in-1 wallpaper tool
This wallpaper smoother has a double-beveled edge and a comfortable, ergonomic handle, and is made from a cut-resistant, transparent material to smooth wallpaper.
Nischal Pomu is the Director of Platinum Paints, bringing years of experience and passion for quality decorating and painting across London. His company is known for reliable service, attention to detail and an excellent finish on every project.
How to wallpaper around sockets
1. Turn off the power and loosen the faceplate
The main step is to switch off the electricity before you start any work. At Mark Irving, Building Expert Build and plumbsays “I would recommend using a voltage tester afterwards to make absolutely sure the socket is dead.” Alternatively, plug in a phone charger or lamp to check if the socket is live or not.
Once you’re sure the power is no longer live, “carefully open the socket so it’s a few millimeters away from the wall,” Mark says.
2. Hang the wallpaper
Now you can start Hang the wallpaper. I always make sure the strip of wallpaper completely covers the socket for a clean finish. Measure before you start wallpapering to make sure you get the drop in the right place. Paper, or wall paste and hang. “Make the wallpaper generally smooth and let it completely cover the socket area,” says Mark.
3. Find the socket and cut the wallpaper
Once the paper is hung, the next step is to locate the socket. “Feel gently through the wallpaper for the edges of the socket,” Mark says, making sure you’re looking for the center of the socket and its corners.
Using a sharp knife, “cut an X shape diagonally across the center of the socket from corner to corner,” he suggests.
Alternatively, cut from the center to the edges using wallpaper scissors. This is less likely to mark the face of the socket and may be a good idea if you have a metallic or painted finish.
4. Trim the excess
With your cut, you will have four flaps of wallpaper. Get a pair of wallpaper scissors and start trimming. “Carefully trim the flaps towards the edge of the socket, making sure to leave enough paper to tuck neatly behind the faceplate,” says Mark, recommending you leave about 5mm to be sure.
5. Finish
With the wallpaper trimmed, it’s time to finish the job. “Use the wallpaper smooth to flatten the wallpaper around the socket,” says Mark, “making sure to remove any air bubbles.”
However, for safety reasons, be careful not to squeeze any excess paste behind the faceplate. Clean it if necessary, retighten the faceplate and wipe the wall and socket with a dry microfiber cloth such as this MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloths from Amazon. Check that there is no excess paste left before you consider using the socket again.
Mark has over 20 years of experience in the building sector, leading to a wealth of knowledge around building and renovation that he enjoys sharing with others looking to complete their own building projects.
Common mistakes to avoid when wallpapering around sockets
1. Overcutting
There is nothing more annoying than cutting out excess wallpaper and having to start over. “The biggest mistake is made by DIYers,” warns Nischal Pomu. “If you remove too much wallpaper from around the socket, gaps can appear permanently. To prevent that from happening, he says it’s always better to trim back little by little.”
2. Using a blunt blade
“I would always recommend using a sharp blade, as even high-quality wallpaper can chip or tear if the knife isn’t incredibly sharp,” advises Mark Irving. “Change the blade every few cuts if possible,” he adds, “to make sure you’re accurate on every try.”
3. Using hard wallpaper
If you’re working with hard wallpaper in awkward areas, it’s more likely to tear, which can be difficult to hide. A simple trick is to use a hairdryer, suggests Mark Irving, “Heating any stiff wallpaper using a hairdryer can help the paper flex around any awkward areas.”
4. End with an uneven pattern
Hang patterned wallpaper Wallpapering around the socket adds another layer of difficulty. Get it wrong, and you’ll ruin the wallpaper and take more time. “For patterned wallpaper, it helps to dry the sheet beforehand so that important parts of the pattern don’t end up awkwardly through the sockets or Light switches,” advises Nischal Pomu. This will help the wallpaper line up with adjacent sheets.
FAQs
Should I cover the sockets before wallpapering?
“If the power is safely isolated and the faceplate is a little loose, you usually don’t need to completely wrap or cover the socket,” says Nischal Pomu.
However, it’s never a bad idea to protect the sockets against paste or moisture, especially if you’re using traditional wallpaper paste. “Although a small amount of paste is not particularly a problem,” says Mark Irving, “any moisture in plug holes or sockets can be very dangerous.”
There are several options you can use to secure the socket. “Use painter’s tape over any openings,” says Mark, explaining how, “It’s also possible to use cling film wrapped lightly around the socket, which will help keep everything secure.”
Another way to prevent paste from getting behind a loose faceplate is to “carefully use a microfiber cloth behind the loose faceplate to catch any excess,” says Mark.
The easiest and most preventative method is to avoid overloading the wallpaper by pasting around the sockets in the first place. “Instead, use a thin coat to minimize any mess,” he advises.
How long before I can turn the electricity back on?
Electrical outlets and humidity do not mix well. However, Nischal Pomu says you can get the power back on almost immediately. “In most cases, once the wallpaper is fitted, neatly trimmed and any visible moisture around the socket is properly cleaned, the electricity can usually be turned back on safely.
“You usually don’t need to wait for the wallpaper paste to dry completely overnight before restoring power,” he adds, “providing the socket area itself is clean, dry and not saturated with adhesive.”
However, if there is too much paste or moisture around the socket, it is best to leave it for a few hours. “If there is any uncertainty around moisture in an electrical fitting, it is always safe to allow additional drying time or consult a qualified electrician before turning the power back on,” confirms Nischl.
Personally, I leave it on for at least three or four hours to be safe. Even if I cover the socket, I remove the covering and let it dry, but still leave it for an hour to be on the safe side.
If you don’t need the socket because you won’t be living in it while renovating or extending your property, you can of course leave it for longer. After some untoward incidents, I always err on the side of caution when working with electricity.
When wallpapering around sockets, you need to get your cuts right. But this is not the only one getting it wrong Wallpapering errors you can make Try this Wallpaper hacks To avoid problems when wallpapering your home.
