HOW TO PUT WALLPAPER AROUND SOCKETS AND SWITCHES
When it comes to placing wallpaper on a wall, we may encounter an element that does not allow us to completely wallpaper the entire surface. We are referring toplugs and switches, which can be easily saved if you follow the advice that we are going to explain to you today.
And wallpaper is a perfect solution if you are looking to give a radical change to your house, whether in some of the bedrooms or throughout the kitchen. As we say, saving sockets is not difficult if you know how, so from here we are going to share our tricks.
Tips for installing wallpaper with plugs
The first thing you should do when placing decorative wallpaper when there are plugs nearby is very simple: disconnect the power. In fact, you should always do it that you are going to work with any electrical system in your home or near them.
Not only can you touch a conductive element without realizing it and get a shock, but drops of adhesive paste or moisture itself can cause the internal circuits to have a problem. Before continuing, make sure the power is off with a voltage meter.
These devices, similar to a screwdriver, will measure the presence of current at a point and will warn you with a small light. Place the metal tip on the metal of the plug and your finger on the other end, to act as a conductor (don't worry, you won't get hurt). If the light comes on, it means that the electricity has not been turned off or that there is something residual, which may disappear in a few minutes.
When you have secured the work area, it's time to prepare the wallpaper and remove the socket and switch frames. We will work directly on the wall and then place these trims to make it perfect.
Now we will try to place the wallpaper in the usual way, all over the wall, while we notice where the space for the plug or switch is located. When you reach that area, brush the paper or use a roller to adhere, always from the outside towards the switch itself on its four sides.
Now that you have it covered, with a knife make a cross cut in the wallpaper, from the corners of the hole for the plug or the switch. This will give you the space you need to remove excess adhesive paste and the ability to finish gluing the entire surface of the tapestry to the wall.
Fold these triangles outwards and wait the usual and recommended drying time for the type of paper and adhesive you are using. When ready, cut out these pieces without reaching the edge of the switch, always leaving a couple of millimeters for overlap. Press the wallpaper against the edges and it will be ready.
All that remains is to replace the frames and trim before turning the power back on. Of course, we recommend that you wait at least 30 more minutes, as it is likely that there will be invisible remains of adhesive paste that are not yet dry. This way you will avoid more than one problem with the electrical current.
We hope that this system is useful for you and helps you leave the wall you want to wallpaper in perfect condition. As you can see, using wallpaper is much less complicated than you can imagine.
