The short answer
Luxury Wallpaper Installer removes old wallpaper from Margate homes, strips the leftover adhesive, and repairs any wall damage so the surface is ready for paint or new wallpaper. Humidity can affect how paper releases and how walls dry, so we plan each job around the room's conditions.
Old wallpaper has a way of outstaying its welcome. Maybe it's a dated border in a hallway, a faded floral in a guest bath, or vinyl that has started to peel at the seams. Whatever the reason, Luxury Wallpaper Installer removes wallpaper from Margate homes in ZIP code 33063 and leaves the walls clean, smooth, and ready for paint or new paper. We're based in Sunrise, about 8 miles south, so getting to your home in Margate is a short drive. This page explains how removal works in a South Florida house, what can go wrong, and what to expect when we arrive.
What Wallpaper Removal Involves
Taking wallpaper down is more than pulling off sheets. Most papers have a decorative top layer, a backing, and adhesive underneath. If any of those layers stay on the wall, paint won't stick evenly and new wallpaper can bubble or lift. A proper removal gets the wall back to a bare, clean surface.
How hard that is depends on what's on your walls. Strippable papers can come off in large pieces. Vinyl-coated papers usually peel off the top layer but leave the backing behind. Older papers hung directly on unprimed drywall can be the toughest, because the adhesive bonds to the drywall's paper face. We check a small area first to see how the paper behaves before deciding on a method.
How Margate's Climate Affects Removal
South Florida doesn't have a fully dry season. From May through October it's hot, humid, and wet, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. November into April is drier, though still warm. Those conditions matter for wallpaper work.
In humid months, moisture can already be working its way behind paper, especially in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and walls that get afternoon sun. That sometimes makes paper easier to release, but it can also hide mildew or soft spots in the wall underneath. After removal, walls also need time to dry fully before primer goes on, and that takes longer when the air is damp. We run fans or air conditioning as needed and don't rush the drying step.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. If you're planning a larger project during those months, it's smart to leave some flexibility in the schedule in case a storm interrupts things.
Our Removal Process
Every room is a little different, but most jobs follow the same basic steps:
- Cover floors and move or protect furniture near the work area
- Turn off power to outlets and switches on the walls being stripped and remove cover plates
- Test a small section to identify the paper type and how it's attached
- Score or peel the top layer, depending on the paper
- Soften the backing and adhesive with warm water or a removal solution, then scrape carefully to avoid gouging the wall
- Wash the walls to remove adhesive residue
- Inspect for damage and let the walls dry completely
When Walls Need Repair Afterward
Sometimes wallpaper was covering a problem, or the wall surface comes up with the paper. Common issues include torn drywall paper, small gouges, nail holes, and old patches that were never smoothed out. Torn drywall facing should be sealed before any skim coat or paint, otherwise it can bubble.
We'll show you what we find once the paper is off and explain what it takes to get the wall ready for its next finish. If you plan to hang new wallpaper, we can prepare the surface with the right primer so future removal is easier, too.
Getting Your Margate Home Ready
You don't need to do much before we arrive. It helps to clear small items off shelves and take down artwork, mirrors, and curtains on the walls being stripped. Let us know if any rooms have known moisture issues or past leaks, since that can change how we approach the work.
We also serve homeowners in nearby North Lauderdale, Tamarac, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, and Oakland Park, so if you're coordinating work with a family member or neighbor in one of those areas, we can help there as well.
More services in Margate
- Wallpaper Installation in Margate
- Accent Wall Installation in Margate
- Mural Installation in Margate
- Grasscloth Wallpaper Installation in Margate
