Remove
Careful removal of old wallpaper and adhesive residue.
Every wallpaper job follows the same process
Repair
Repair of any drywall damage exposed once the paper is off.
Prep
Surface prep, skim coating, and sanding for paint-ready walls.
Why removal can be riskier than it looks
Why Wallpaper Removal So Often Damages the Wall Underneath
Drywall itself has a paper facing, and wallpaper adhesive bonds directly to that paper, which means pulling wallpaper too aggressively can tear the drywall's own paper layer right off with it, leaving a rough, torn surface instead of a clean wall. This happens more often on older wallpaper installations, especially anywhere the paper was applied directly to bare drywall without a primer coat underneath first, since primer is what's supposed to create a barrier that lets wallpaper release cleanly later.
Steam and the right adhesive-softening approach reduce this risk significantly compared to just pulling and scraping, but even careful removal on an old, unprimed installation can expose torn spots that need a proper skim coat repair before the wall is ready for anything new.
What Happens After the Paper's Off
Once wallpaper and adhesive residue are fully removed, the wall almost always needs a skim coat, a thin layer of joint compound across the surface, to smooth over adhesive residue, minor tears, and the texture difference between patched and undamaged drywall paper. Skipping this step and painting directly over a freshly stripped wall is one of the more common reasons a "quick paint job" ends up looking patchy once it's done.
Wallpaper removal FAQs
Can all wallpaper be removed without damaging the wall?
Not always. The risk depends heavily on how the wallpaper was originally installed, especially whether the wall was primed first. Older installations without primer are more prone to tearing the drywall's paper facing during removal.
Do I need to remove wallpaper myself before you start?
No, we handle the full removal process, including the adhesive residue, so there's no need to attempt any of it yourself beforehand.
How long does wallpaper removal and repair typically take?
This depends on the size of the space and how much damage is revealed once the paper is off. A single wall can often be completed in a day, while larger rooms with more extensive damage may take longer.
Is it cheaper to paint over wallpaper instead of removing it?
Painting over wallpaper isn't something we recommend. Seams and texture from the paper telegraph through paint over time, and moisture from the paint can cause the paper to bubble or peel later, often creating a bigger problem than removing it properly from the start.