The short answer
Wallpaper removal is the right choice when paper is peeling, stained, layered, or no longer fits your style. We strip it with the gentlest method that works, wash off old adhesive, repair and prime the walls, and can hang new wallpaper on the prepared surface if you'd like.
Old wallpaper that's peeling, faded, or simply out of style can make a whole room feel tired. Our wallpaper removal service takes it down cleanly, repairs and primes the walls underneath, and leaves you with a surface ready for paint or new paper. We work in homes throughout Sunrise and nearby cities, and if you want new wallpaper afterward, we can hang it as part of the same project. Below is how to tell whether removal makes sense, what happens at each stage, what drives the cost, and how to keep your finished walls looking good.
When Wallpaper Removal Is the Right Choice
Removal isn't always required, but in most rooms it's the step that makes everything after it last. Painting or papering over old wallpaper can trap moisture, let old seams show through the new finish, and make future removal much harder.
In South Florida, humidity is a real factor. From May through October the air is hot, humid and wet, and paper that's already loosening tends to bubble and lift faster. Taking it off and starting fresh gives new paint or wallpaper a sound surface to bond to.
- Seams or edges are curling, bubbling or lifting
- You see stains, mildew spots or discoloration on the paper
- The pattern feels dated and you plan to paint or install a new design
- Several layers have built up over time
- The wall had water exposure, such as a leak or storm-related moisture, and you need to see what's underneath
- You're preparing to sell and want neutral walls
How We Remove the Paper and Prepare the Walls
We start by protecting the room. Furniture is moved or covered, floors and baseboards are masked, and outlet and switch covers are removed so we can work around them safely.
Next we identify the paper type. Strippable papers often come off dry. Vinyl-coated papers usually have a face layer that peels away, leaving a paper backing that needs soaking. Older paper, or paper that was painted over, may need scoring and a removal solution or steam. We use the gentlest method that works, because the paper facing on drywall tears easily if it's forced.
Once the paper is off, we wash away the remaining adhesive. Leftover paste is one of the most common reasons new paint cracks or new wallpaper fails, so we don't skip it. Then we repair: filling gouges, re-taping loose drywall seams, sanding patches smooth, and sealing any torn drywall face so it won't bubble under the next finish.
Finally, we prime. Before new wallpaper, we use a primer made for wallcoverings, which helps the paper grip and makes it easier to remove someday. Before paint, we use a primer suited to repaired drywall. Walls need to dry completely before the next step, and during the humid months that can take longer, so we plan the schedule around it.
Hanging New Wallpaper, Step by Step
If you're replacing the old paper, we hang the new wallcovering on the freshly prepared walls. Here's how the installation works:
- Measuring: We measure each wall's width and height, account for windows, doors and built-ins, and calculate rolls based on the pattern repeat so you can order enough from the same production run.
- Layout planning: We decide where the first strip goes and where the final, unavoidable mismatch will land, usually in a less visible corner or behind a door.
- Plumb line: Walls are rarely perfectly straight, so we mark a true vertical line instead of following a corner.
- Pattern matching: Each strip is cut and aligned to the one before it, whether the design is a straight match, drop match or random match.
- Seams: We butt seams tightly without overlapping, roll them gently to set, and wipe away excess paste right away.
- Trimming: We trim at the ceiling and baseboards and around outlets, windows and door frames using fresh, sharp blades for clean edges.
- Final check: We inspect the walls under room lighting for bubbles, lifted edges or gaps and correct them before the paste sets.
What Affects the Cost
We quote each project after seeing the room, because a few factors make a big difference in time and materials. We'll walk through these with you on site and explain what's shaping your quote.
- Wall condition: Damaged drywall, multiple layers, or paper that's been painted over adds removal and repair time.
- Paper type: Strippable paper comes down faster than vinyl backings or old paper hung on unprimed drywall. For new installations, grasscloth, heavy vinyl and specialty papers take more care than standard prepasted rolls.
- Pattern repeat: Larger repeats create more waste and take longer to match.
- Room size and ceiling height: More wall area means more work. Tall ceilings, stairwells and two-story foyers need extra equipment and setup.
- Obstacles: Lots of windows, cabinets, outlets or angled walls add cutting and fitting time.
Caring for Your Finished Walls
New wallpaper needs time for the paste to cure, so wait before washing it or hanging pictures. Keep your air conditioning running as usual; steady indoor humidity helps the adhesive set evenly.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and a storm-related power outage can leave a home hot and humid for days. If that happens, check seams and corners afterward and let us know if you notice lifting or moisture.
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth or a vacuum brush attachment.
- On washable papers, blot spots with a damp sponge and mild soap rather than scrubbing, and follow the manufacturer's care label.
- Run exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to limit moisture.
- Keep furniture slightly away from the walls to prevent rubbing.
- Re-glue small lifted seams with seam adhesive before they spread.
- Store leftover paper flat in a dry place for future repairs.
Wallpaper Removal by city
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- Wallpaper Removal in North Lauderdale
- Wallpaper Removal in Davie
- Wallpaper Removal in Fort Lauderdale
- Wallpaper Removal in Oakland Park
- Wallpaper Removal in Wilton Manors
- Wallpaper Removal in Cooper City
- Wallpaper Removal in Dania Beach
- Wallpaper Removal in Margate
