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Wallpaper Removal in Pompano Beach and Nearby Cities

The short answer

Wallpaper removal is the right choice when old paper is peeling, stained, dated, or about to be replaced. We strip the paper, wash off adhesive, repair and prime the wall, and can hang new wallpaper in the same project.

Old wallpaper doesn't always come off cleanly. Some papers peel away in full sheets. Others leave behind a layer of backing and stubborn adhesive, or were hung straight onto unprimed drywall years ago. Our wallpaper removal service for homeowners in Pompano Beach and nearby cities takes the old covering down, repairs and primes the wall underneath, and leaves you with a surface ready for paint or new wallpaper. This page explains when removal makes sense, how we prepare the walls, how a new installation works, what drives the cost, and how to care for the finished result.

When Wallpaper Removal Is the Right Choice

Removal is usually the right call when the existing paper is peeling at the seams, bubbling, stained, or simply out of date. It's also the right first step before you hang a new pattern. Papering over old wallpaper can look like a shortcut, but the moisture in fresh paste can loosen the layer underneath, and the old seams often show through.

In South Florida, humidity plays a big role. From May through October the air is hot, humid and wet. Rooms that see a lot of moisture, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens, are often where old paper lifts first. If you notice curling edges, dark spots showing through the paper, or a musty smell, it's worth taking the paper down to check the wall behind it.

  • Seams lifting or edges curling
  • Bubbles or soft spots in the paper
  • Stains, discoloration, or signs of moisture behind the paper
  • You plan to paint or switch to a new wallpaper
  • Several layers of paper have built up over time

How We Take Old Wallpaper Down

We start by protecting the room. We cover the floors, remove outlet and switch plates, turn off power to outlets on the walls we're working on, and move or cover furniture. Then we test a small area to find out what kind of paper we're dealing with. Strippable paper often lifts off dry. Peelable vinyl usually leaves a paper backing that needs to be soaked and scraped. Traditional papers and papers hung with heavy adhesive need scoring and a removal solution or steam.

We work carefully on drywall, because the drywall's paper face can tear if it's pulled too hard or soaked too long. Once the wallpaper is off, we wash the walls to remove leftover paste. Adhesive residue can cause paint to crack or new wallpaper to fail, so we never skip this step.

Preparing and Priming the Walls

After removal, we inspect each wall in good light. Common findings include small gouges, nail holes, torn drywall facing and old patches. We seal torn drywall facing with a primer made for that purpose before any joint compound goes on. Skipping this step leads to bubbles later. Then we patch, let the compound dry, sand it smooth, and wipe away the dust.

Priming comes next. For new wallpaper, we use a primer designed for wallcoverings. It helps the paper grip and makes any future removal much easier. For paint, we use a primer suited to the wall surface and the finish you've chosen. During the humid months we allow extra drying time between coats, because compound and primer dry more slowly when the air is damp.

Installing New Wallpaper, Step by Step

Many homeowners have us remove the old paper and hang the new paper in one project. Here's how the installation works.

  • Measuring: We measure each wall's width and height, account for doors, windows and built-ins, and factor in the pattern repeat to estimate how many rolls you'll need. Rolls from a single production run keep the color consistent.
  • Planning the layout: We decide where the first strip goes and where the final seam will land, ideally in a less visible corner or behind a door.
  • Marking a plumb line: We mark a true vertical line so the first strip hangs straight, since walls and corners are rarely perfectly square.
  • Pattern matching: We cut each strip with the repeat lined up to its neighbor, so motifs continue across seams at the same height.
  • Seams: We butt strips tightly together rather than overlapping them, then roll them lightly so the edges lie flat without squeezing out the paste.
  • Trimming: We trim excess paper at the ceiling and baseboard and around windows, doors and outlets with a fresh blade so the cuts stay clean.
  • Final check: We wipe any paste off the surface and check every seam before cleanup.

What Affects the Cost

We give an estimate after seeing the room, because a few factors can change the amount of work quite a bit.

  • Wall condition: Damaged drywall, plaster repairs, or multiple layers of old paper add time.
  • Paper type: Strippable paper comes off faster than vinyl or paper hung without primer underneath. For new installations, delicate materials like grasscloth or unpasted papers need extra care.
  • Pattern repeat: Large repeats use more material and take more careful cutting to line up.
  • Room size and ceiling height: More wall area means more work. Tall ceilings and stairwells call for scaffolding or extra ladders.
  • Openings and details: Many windows, doors, built-ins or angled walls mean more trimming.

Caring for Your Finished Walls

Let new wallpaper dry fully before you hang pictures or push furniture against it. For freshly painted walls, follow the paint manufacturer's cure time.

For routine care, dust with a soft cloth. You can clean washable papers with a damp sponge and mild soap, but test a hidden spot first and avoid soaking the seams. In bathrooms, run the exhaust fan during and after showers. During the wet season and hurricane season, which runs June 1 through November 30, check for leaks around windows after storms. Water getting behind the wall is a common reason wallpaper lifts. If a seam starts to lift, a small amount of seam adhesive applied early usually fixes it.

Wallpaper Removal by city

What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. Preparation Comes First

    Most wallpaper problems start with the wall, not the paper. We remove old coverings, repair dents and cracks, smooth textured areas where needed, and prime with a product suited to the wallcovering you've chosen.

  2. Straight Answers About Materials

    Grasscloth, vinyl, murals and peel-and-stick each behave differently in humid rooms, on ceilings and in direct sun. We'll explain the tradeoffs so you can pick a product that fits the space and how you live in it.

  3. Respect for Your Home

    We cover floors, move and protect furniture as needed, and keep the work area organized. At the end of the day, we clean up so your home is livable while the project is underway.

FAQ

Common questions

Don’t see your question? Call (561) 944-3314 and we’ll talk it through.

Can you hang new wallpaper over the old paper?

We don't recommend it. Moisture from new paste can loosen the old layer, and old seams and texture often show through. Removing the old paper and priming the wall gives a cleaner, longer-lasting result.

Will removing wallpaper damage my drywall?

It can if the drywall was never primed or the paper is pulled too aggressively. We test first, work carefully, and repair and seal any torn facing before patching and priming.

Can I paint right after the wallpaper comes off?

Not right away. The walls need to be washed free of adhesive, repaired and primed first. Paint applied over leftover paste can crack or peel.

How long does wallpaper removal take?

It depends on the paper type, how it was hung, the wall condition and the size of the room. Strippable paper can come off quickly, while multiple layers or paper on unprimed drywall take longer. We'll give you a timeline after seeing the room.

Does humidity affect the work?

Yes. From May through October, South Florida's humid air slows drying for patching compound, primer and paste. We allow extra drying time between steps during those months.

Do you remove wallpaper from bathrooms and kitchens?

Yes. These rooms often show peeling first because of moisture. We also check for signs of water damage behind the paper while we work.

Ready to Plan Your Wallpaper Project?

Tell us about the room, the look you want and any wallpaper you have in mind. We'll talk through wall condition, material options and next steps so you know what to expect before work begins.

(561) 944-3314
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