The short answer
We remove all kinds of wallpaper from Miramar homes, then wash off the adhesive and repair the drywall or plaster. The method depends on the paper type, how it was hung and what is underneath.
Taking down wallpaper is often the first step in a bigger change: a fresh coat of paint before selling, a new paper in a style you actually like, or simply clearing out a dated border the last owner loved. In Miramar we strip paper from bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, hallways and entire homes, and then repair the walls so they are ready for whatever comes next. We are based in Miami Gardens, roughly five miles southeast, and we work across Broward County ZIP codes 33023, 33025, 33027 and 33029. This page covers how we size up a removal job, the methods we use for different papers, how we handle the moisture involved in a humid climate and what the walls look like when we are done.
Sizing up the job
Two rooms with the same square footage can be very different removal jobs. The questions we ask first are simple: what kind of paper is it, how many layers are there, was the wall primed before the paper went on, and has anyone painted over it? A quick test in a hidden corner answers most of them.
We also look at the room itself. Bathrooms often have paper behind toilets and around vanities, which takes time. Kitchens may have paper around cabinets and behind appliances. Tall walls in stairwells need staging. Each detail affects how we plan the day.
- Paper type: strippable, peelable, vinyl, grasscloth or mural
- Number of layers and any paint on top
- Whether the wall was primed before the original install
- Wall material: drywall, plaster or block
- Obstacles like cabinets, fixtures and high walls
Methods for different papers
Strippable non-woven papers usually come off in dry, full-length strips. We follow up by washing the adhesive off the wall. Peelable vinyls let the top layer peel away but leave a paper backing, which we soak with warm water and remover until it lets go.
Painted-over paper and old papers hung directly on raw drywall are the most delicate. We perforate the surface lightly so liquid can penetrate, soak in sections, and lift with wide flexible scrapers. Steam helps with stubborn paste but is used carefully, since too much heat and moisture can soften drywall. Grasscloth tends to come off in two stages: the fibers first, then the backing.
Borders are a special case. Many were hung with a strong vinyl-to-vinyl adhesive on top of other paper, and they need to be softened and removed before the paper underneath.
Moisture management in a humid climate
Removal puts water on walls in a region that already has plenty in the air. During the wet season, from about May to October, soaked walls dry more slowly, especially exterior walls. We use only as much liquid as each section needs, wipe up excess right away and keep the AC running so the room dries steadily.
We do not patch or prime until the wall is fully dry. Sealing moisture into drywall in a South Florida home is a direct route to mildew. If removing paper reveals dark spots, a musty smell or soft areas, we show you and suggest finding the source before finishing the walls.
Repairs after the paper comes off
Once the walls are clean and dry, we deal with whatever damage the old paper or its removal left behind. Areas where the drywall's paper face tore get a sealing primer first, so the torn fibers do not bubble when joint compound is applied. Then we skim, sand and prime the wall.
Holes from old anchors and fixtures get filled. Where borders sat at the ceiling line, there may be a strip with a different texture or sheen; we blend it so it does not show through new paint. The goal is a wall that looks like it was never papered.
What to expect on the day
We protect floors with plastic and absorbent cloth, mask trim and fixtures, and turn off power to outlets in the work area. Removed paper is bagged as we go. When the room is finished, we clean up, take the debris with us and walk the walls with you. If you would like new wallpaper hung afterward, we can schedule that once the walls are ready.
Service area around Miramar
We also handle wallpaper removal in Pembroke Pines, Miami Lakes, Hialeah Gardens, Opa-locka and Hialeah. Send a photo of the paper and a close-up of a lifted edge, and we can describe the likely approach before we arrive.
More services in Miramar
- Wallpaper Installation in Miramar
- Accent Wall Installation in Miramar
- Mural Installation in Miramar
- Grasscloth Wallpaper Installation in Miramar