How to Maintain Wall Panels – A Handy Guide

How to Maintain Wall Panels – A Handy Guide
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How to Maintain Wall Panels – A Handy Guide

MAINTAIN WALL PANELS
A HELPFUL IN-DEPTH GUIDE

WHAT'S IN THIS ARTICLE?
Maintain Wall Panels have three common types:

  • A Helpful In-depth Guide
  • The main aspects of maintaining wall panels
  • How to fix Wall Panels?
  • Step by step repair guide for plastic panels
  • Did you know?
  • How do I clean wall panels?
  • How to remove wet wall panels and uPVC cladding:

THE MAIN ASPECTS OF MAINTAINING WALL PANELS

The main aspects of maintaining wall panels are; fixing, cleaning, and removing your wall panels. Whether you’re a handy DIYer or a total newbie to panels, we’ve got some handy hacks to help you on your way to getting wall panels fixed, cleaned, or removed as effortlessly as possible.

So get your toolkit (or lack of) at the ready and you’ll be ready to go in no time.

HOW TO FIX WALL PANELS?

It’s common to have scratch marks on your cladding whether that’s from installing or cleaning, or even drilling a hole in the wrong place. But why go through the process of removing and installing new panels when there are a few simple fixes to keep your wall panels looking good as new. Here’s a list of handy tools and necessities to keep at home to keep your wall panels looking as good as new:

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Drywall Knife
  • Pencil/Marker
  • Panel adhesive
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Spackle
  • Chisel
  • Nails
  • Furring Strips

STEP BY STEP REPAIR GUIDE FOR PLASTIC PANELS

Here’s a few simple fixes to keep your wall panels looking good as new instead of removing and installing new panels.

Step 1 - Measuring the Effected Area

Measure the damaged area and lightly mark the size of a square/rectangle that covers the damage completely. From here purchase a new piece of wall panelling and match it as closely as possible to the original design and effect.

Step 2 - Assessing the Damage

Once you have matched your new panel, hold it against your marked area and using your pencil trace the area to be cut. Using a drywall knife cut around your tracing whilst avoiding cutting the wall underneath.

Step 3 - Fitting the Patch

Use a chisel to leverage the patch area away from the wall and make sure the new patch sits securely in its new place.

Step 4 - In With the New

Now apply adhesive to a furring strip and attach to the wall so that half of the strip slides under the panel. Then let the adhesive dry based on its specified instructions. Once dry apply adhesive to the panel patch and attach it to the furring strips and nail it down using finishing nails.

Step 5 - A Perfect Repair

Once the patch is dry use spackle or putty to fill in the nail holes. For a perfect and clean finish the spackle can also be applied around the perimeter of the patch to ensure a smooth surface.

DID YOU KNOW?

Wall panels can be fitted on top of tiles and uneven surfaces. No need to worry about the hassle of removing your tiles! For a perfect finished look simply apply a little extra adhesive to panels being applied to uneven surfaces.

Alternatively, and for a more secure fitting, we also recommend inserting concrete hooks onto your tiles or uneven surface before applying your wall panels. This will ensure that your panels are secure and are fitted evenly. This is a better long term option if you are fitting wall panels over tiles or other rough surfaces.

HOW DO I CLEAN WALL PANELS?


With materials such as tiles you often need specific cleaning products to clean things like grout and mould. One of the many perks of wall panels is that they are quick and easy to clean and maintain. Making them the perfect addition to busy households or an easy low maintenance bathroom.

Wet wall panels are made out of acrylic sheets, making them durable and all-purposeful. They are 100% waterproof, mould free, and even provide heat insulation for your home. However, after repetitive exposure to soap, hard water, and grime they can quickly become dirty. Here’s some quick and simple tips for keeping your bathroom looking as good as new.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Warm soapy water
  • Microfibre cloth - a soft cloth like microfibre will make sure that as you’re cleaning you don’t cause any scratches to appear or damage the panels
  • Fresh clean water
  • Dry soft cloth

Please don’t use traditional cleaning sprays or solutions on your panels, instead use warm soapy water and a non abrasive cloth.

What you need to do :

  • Using the microfibre cloth apply the soapy water to the panels, wiping in sweeping motions to remove as much dirt and grime as possible.
  • Make sure to rinse the cloth frequently to avoid reapplying any dirt or grime you wipe away.
  • Using fresh water rinse the walls to wash away the rest of the cleaning solution and any loose dirt remaining.
  • Ensure that all soapy cleaning solution has been rinsed away, as this will cause a soapy scum to appear on the panels.
  • With a dry and soft cloth wipe down the panels so they are completely dry. This will give them a nice shine and keep them looking fresher for longer.

HOW TO REMOVE WET WALL PANELS AND UPVC CLADDING:

Maybe you didn’t quite install your panels correctly, perhaps you’re renewing them, or maybe they just aren’t the right fit for you? Let’s find a way to remove them without causing any damage so that your home is ready for your next project.

Here’s what you’ll need - For A Perfect Finish

  • Drop Cloth
  • Protective Eyewear
  • Gloves
  • Dust Mask
  • Chisel
  • Prying tool (e.g. crowbar)
  • Water
  • Sponge
  • Hammer
  • Putty Knife (or similar scraper)
  • Adhesive remover
  • Paint Brush

Step by step - An easy procedure

Step 1 - The Essentials

Don’t forget your gloves, protective eyewear and a dust mask. The drop cloth will catch any debris, place it on the floor.

Step 2 - Getting Started

Onto the trim and molding (if your panels have these) start by pressing your chisel along the edges of the trim/molding and hit it once with a hammer to loosen the trim. Gently pull the loose end so that it starts to come off, then pull the remainder of the trim away. If it will not come away easily chisel away at the panelling until the trim/moulding can be removed easily.

Step 3 - Removing the Panels

Place your chisel on the edge of the panel where it meets the wall. Knock the top of your chisel with the hammer so that it slides under the panelling, then move the chisel around to begin loosening the panel. Using your prying tool, push it beneath the loose edge, using the leverage to pry away the panelling. Make sure you do not catch the wall surface underneath.

Step 4 - Removing the panels pt. 2

Now pull the loose panel towards you gently, if it begins to come away from the wall continue to pull to remove it entirely from the wall. If the wall panel becomes difficult to pull away use the chisel to loosen the grip between the wall and the cladding.

Step 5 - Cleaning up

Now only the adhesive should be left on your wall, make sure to ventilate the room for this step. Apply the adhesive remover to the leftover adhesive using a paintbrush and allow the allocated time for it to soften. Using a scraper remove the adhesive making sure you do not damage the wall underneath. Then finally, rinse the wall with clean water using a damp sponge for a perfect finish.

Decorative and functional wall panels are a rising trend in home interiors and one of the most maintenance-friendly decorative options for your home. However, like any surface in your home, they will he subject to wear and tear over time. We hope these tips have given you some quick and easy ways to keep your panels looking as good as new.

For best results, keep your panels clean of any dust as well as soap scum and water marks. Using a feather duster or lint-free cloth make sure to frequently wipe down your panels to avoid any dust accumulating over time. All this requires is a quick downward sweeping motion to get rid of any dust.

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