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Wallpaper Removal in Oakland Park, FL

The short answer

Wallpaper removal in Oakland Park usually means scoring or steaming the paper, lifting it with the backing, washing off leftover paste, then repairing and priming the wall. The condition of the drywall underneath decides how much repair is needed afterward.

Peeling off old wallpaper looks simple until the face layer tears away and leaves a stubborn paper backing glued to the drywall, or worse, until a chunk of drywall comes off with it. In Oakland Park we often meet borders from decades ago, bathroom papers that were painted over by a previous owner, and layers stacked on top of each other. Our crew comes from Pompano Beach, about 8 miles north, to strip those walls carefully and leave them ready for paint or new paper. Here is how removal actually works, what can go wrong, and how we protect the wall underneath.

Why some paper comes off easily and some does not

Modern non-woven papers are designed to be strippable: you lift a corner and the whole strip releases in one piece. Older papers are a different story. Many were hung directly on unprimed drywall, so the paste soaked into the paper face of the board. When you pull, the drywall paper wants to come with it.

Painted-over wallpaper is the toughest case. Paint seals the surface so water and steam cannot reach the paste, and the paper often has to be scored aggressively or sanded before it will budge. We test a small section first in an out-of-the-way spot to learn what we are dealing with before committing to a method for the whole room.

Our removal methods

The approach depends on the paper and the wall. We usually start with the gentlest option that works and step up only when needed.

  • Dry strip: for strippable papers that release cleanly when pulled low and slow
  • Peel and soak: remove the vinyl face, then soak the remaining backing with warm water and a paste remover
  • Score and soak: perforate tougher papers so the solution can reach the adhesive
  • Steam: for stubborn or layered papers, with careful control to avoid softening the drywall too much
  • Paste wash: a final cleaning pass so no adhesive residue remains

What we find under the paper in Oakland Park homes

Once the paper is gone, the wall tells its own story. In some older ranch houses we find bare drywall that was never primed, which means the surface is fragile and needs sealing before anything else. In others we find plaster that holds up well to soaking. Behind bathroom paper we sometimes see mildew stains or soft spots near tubs and showers, which point to a moisture problem worth addressing.

We also come across torn drywall face paper from earlier removal attempts. Painting directly over that torn surface causes bubbling, so we seal it with an oil-based or shellac-based primer, then skim and sand until the wall is smooth again.

Protecting the room during the work

Removal is wet and messy. We cover floors with absorbent drop cloths and plastic, tape off outlets and switches after turning off power to the room when soaking walls, and move or cover furniture. Tile and wood floors, both common in Broward homes, get extra protection near the baseboards where water and wet paper collect.

Humidity matters here too. Soaking walls in a home that is already damp during the rainy season can slow drying, so we keep the AC running and give the wall time to dry fully before priming. Rushing that step can trap moisture behind fresh paint.

After removal: getting ready for what comes next

A wall stripped of paper is rarely ready for paint straight away. We patch gouges, skim areas where the drywall surface was damaged, sand everything smooth, and apply a primer suited to your next step. If you plan to paint, the wall needs a primer that blocks any remaining adhesive. If you plan to hang new paper, we use a wallcovering primer so the next removal will be easier.

Many Oakland Park homeowners pair removal with a new installation in the same visit schedule. We also handle removal in Wilton Manors, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, North Lauderdale, Margate and Coconut Creek. Send a few photos of the paper, a close-up of a seam or torn edge, and the size of the room, and we can tell you which method is likely and how long the work should take.

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What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. Clear scope before work begins

    After measuring and checking the walls, we explain what prep is needed, how many rolls to order and how long the job should take.

  2. Patterns that line up

    We plan seam placement around windows, doors and corners so repeats stay aligned from one strip to the next across the whole room.

  3. Respect for your home

    Drop cloths go down first, paste is wiped off trim as we go, and we leave the room ready to use at the end of each day.

FAQ

Common questions

Don’t see your question? Call (561) 823-3201 and we’ll talk it through.

Can you remove wallpaper that has been painted over?

Yes. Painted wallpaper takes more work because the paint blocks moisture, so we score or sand it first, then soak or steam it off.

Will removing wallpaper damage my drywall?

Older paper hung on unprimed drywall can pull the drywall face. We work carefully and repair any damage with primer and skim coating afterward.

How long does wallpaper removal take for one room?

Many rooms take a day, but layered or painted-over paper can take longer, plus drying time before priming.

Can you paint the wall right after removing the paper?

Not immediately. The wall needs to dry, be washed of paste, repaired and primed, otherwise paint may crack or bubble.

Is steaming better than chemical remover?

Neither is always better. Steam works well on layered papers, while a soak works on most single layers. We test first and choose.

Ready to talk about your walls?

Tell us which room you are thinking about, where you live and what paper you have in mind. We will set up a visit to measure and look at the surface.

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Call (561) 823-3201 Request Service