The short answer
We test each wall in a Miami Lakes home to find out how the paper was hung, then strip, soak or score it as needed and remove all adhesive residue. Walls are repaired and sealed so paint or new paper goes on smoothly.
Old wallpaper rarely comes off the way the internet promises. Sometimes a top layer peels away in satisfying sheets, and the backing underneath refuses to budge. Sometimes the paper was hung straight onto unprimed drywall decades ago, and pulling it lifts the paper face of the board with it. In Miami Lakes homes, ZIP 33014, we remove borders, vinyl, grasscloth, layered paper and murals, then leave the walls ready for paint or new wallpaper. Our crew comes from Miami Gardens, roughly four miles to the east. What follows is a straightforward look at how we figure out what is on your walls, how we take it off without gouging the surface, and what the walls usually need afterward.
First, a test patch
We start in an inconspicuous spot, often behind a door, and lift a corner. How the paper responds tells us almost everything. A strippable paper releases cleanly and leaves little behind. A peelable paper releases its face but leaves a paper backing that needs soaking. A paper that tears in small pieces and shows brown drywall paper underneath tells us the wall was never sealed, and the removal must be slower and gentler.
We also check how many layers there are. In some older homes we find two or three generations of wallpaper stacked on each other, sometimes painted over. Each layer changes the approach.
- Strippable: comes off dry in whole strips
- Peelable: the face peels, the backing stays and gets soaked off
- Painted-over paper: needs scoring and longer soaking
- Paper on unprimed drywall: slow work to avoid tearing the board
How we take it off
Floors and baseboards are covered with plastic and drop cloths, and outlets are switched off and taped, because water and electrical boxes do not mix. Where the face does not come off dry, we score the surface lightly so a warm water and remover solution can reach the paste. We let it soak, then lift the softened paper with wide, flexible scrapers held at a low angle.
For stubborn sections we use a steamer, keeping it moving so the heat does not blister the drywall. Once the paper is gone, we wash the walls to remove leftover adhesive. That step is easy to skip and is the reason many homeowners see paint crack and wrinkle a few weeks after a DIY removal.
Why South Florida walls need extra care
Removal relies on moisture, and a Miami Lakes home already lives with plenty of it. In the wet season, from May into October, walls soaked during removal dry more slowly, especially on exterior-facing concrete-block walls. We give them time to dry fully before any repair or primer goes on, and we run the AC to help pull moisture out of the room.
We also look closely at what appears behind the paper. Mildew spots, soft drywall near a window, or stains near a bathroom wall can signal a leak. When we see that, we stop and show you so it can be addressed before the room is finished.
After the paper is gone
Even a careful removal can leave small tears in the drywall surface. Torn areas get sealed with a primer made for damaged drywall, which stops the paper face from bubbling when joint compound goes on. We then skim, sand and prime so the walls are even.
If you plan to repaper, we can install the new paper once the walls are ready. If you plan to paint, the walls will be sealed and smooth, ready for your painter or for you to roll on color.
Serving Miami Lakes and nearby
Besides Miami Lakes, we take on removal projects in Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Opa-locka and Miramar. A few photos of the paper, including a close-up of a lifted corner, help us tell you what to expect before we visit.
More services in Miami Lakes
- Wallpaper Installation in Miami Lakes
- Accent Wall Installation in Miami Lakes
- Mural Installation in Miami Lakes
- Grasscloth Wallpaper Installation in Miami Lakes