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Serving Miami and nearby cities Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · (561) 933-9440

Wallpaper Removal Service in Miami

The short answer

Remove wallpaper when it is peeling, stained, dated or about to be replaced; hanging new paper or paint over old wallpaper usually fails. We test how the paper releases, score or steam only as needed, wash off adhesive, repair damage and seal the wall with primer.

Taking wallpaper down sounds simpler than putting it up, until you are three hours in with a scraper, a spray bottle and a wall covered in shredded backing. Some papers release in clean sheets. Others were glued straight to unprimed drywall in the eighties and will try to take the wall with them. WallStyle Installers removes old wallpaper, borders and murals from homes and condos across Miami and nearby cities, and we leave the walls repaired and ready for paint or a new wallcovering. Here you will find when removal is worth it, how we protect the room and the drywall, our method from first test to final wash, what affects how long the work takes and how to keep the bare walls in good shape afterward.

When it is time to take it down

The obvious reason is style. A busy border from a previous owner, faded florals or a nursery print the kids have outgrown can make a room feel stuck in time. Less obvious reasons are just as common in South Florida: seams curling from years of humidity, brown water marks after a leak, or a musty smell near an exterior wall that suggests moisture has been trapped behind vinyl.

People often ask if they can paint over wallpaper or hang new paper on top. It can be done in a pinch, but the results tend to be disappointing. Paint makes the old paper swell and bubble, seams telegraph through, and new adhesive can loosen the layer underneath. Removing the old covering gives you a sound surface and lets us see what the wall actually looks like before the next finish goes on.

Protecting the room and the wall

Removal is wet, messy work, so the first hour goes to protection. Floors are covered with absorbent drop cloths over plastic, baseboards are taped and furniture is moved or wrapped. We shut off power to the room and tape over outlets and switches because water and electrical boxes do not mix.

Then comes a test patch in an inconspicuous spot. We check whether the face layer peels dry, whether the backing stays behind and how firmly the paste holds. That test tells us whether the wall was primed before the original install, which is the single biggest predictor of how cleanly it will come off. It also tells us if we are dealing with plaster, drywall or a finish coat over concrete block.

Our removal process

The sequence below is what we follow on most jobs. We adjust it based on the test results, choosing the gentlest method that works for that particular paper.

  • Dry-strip the top layer where possible; many vinyls and strippable papers separate from their backing with a steady pull
  • Lightly score stubborn, non-porous faces with a scoring tool so water can reach the paste, using light pressure to avoid marking the drywall
  • Soak the remaining backing with warm water and a removal solution, working in sections so it stays wet
  • Use a steamer on heavy papers, multiple layers or old plaster walls where soaking alone is not enough
  • Scrape gently with a wide, rounded blade held at a low angle
  • Wash the walls with clean warm water until no slippery adhesive residue remains
  • Let the walls dry completely, then inspect them under a raking light

Repairs and priming after removal

Even a careful removal can reveal problems hidden under the old paper. We patch gouges and nail holes, fill cracks and sand everything level. Spots where the paper face of the drywall tore are sealed with an oil- or shellac-based primer before any compound goes on, so they do not bubble.

Finally the wall gets a primer chosen for what comes next: a standard primer for paint, or a wallcovering primer if new paper is going up. If you want to start a new pattern, we can measure for it and plan the seams while we are there, then return to hang once the wall is ready.

What makes removal take longer

No two removals are alike, which is why we look before we quote. Wall condition is the first factor: paper hung over unprimed drywall or patched plaster is slower and needs more repair. The type of paper matters as well. Strippable non-wovens can come down quickly, while foil, heavy vinyl with a sealed face, or paper that has been painted over takes scoring, soaking and patience.

Several layers stacked on top of each other add time with each one. Room size and the number of corners, cabinets and openings change the amount of detail work. High ceilings and stairwells need scaffolding to reach safely. Borders glued over glossy paint, or paper wrapped around window returns and arches, add their own fiddly steps.

Caring for walls once the paper is gone

Freshly stripped walls should dry fully before they are painted or papered. In the humid months, keep the AC running so the drywall can release the moisture it absorbed during soaking. Avoid hanging heavy items on patched areas until the compound has cured, and keep the room free of dust if a new wallcovering is planned.

Wallpaper Removal by city

What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. Honest assessment

    If a wall is too damp, too textured or a poor match for the paper you picked, we say so and suggest a fix or an alternative before work begins.

  2. Careful layout

    We measure, check pattern repeats and plan where each strip lands so the finished room looks balanced from the doorway.

  3. Clean, respectful work

    Floors and furniture are covered, fixtures are removed and replaced, and paste and trimmings are cleaned up before we go.

FAQ

Common questions

Don’t see your question? Call (561) 933-9440 and we’ll talk it through.

Can I paint over my old wallpaper?

It is possible, but paint often makes the paper bubble and seams show through. Removing it first gives a much better finish.

Will removal damage my drywall?

Some surface damage is common, especially if the wall was never primed. We repair and seal any torn areas as part of the job.

Do you remove wallpaper borders?

Yes. Borders are often glued over paint, so they can leave a stripe of residue that we wash away and touch up with primer.

Is steaming always necessary?

No. We start with the gentlest method that works. Steam is reserved for heavy papers, multiple layers or older plaster walls.

Can you install new wallpaper after removal?

Yes. Many clients book removal and a new installation together, so the wall is prepped and primed for the new paper right away.

What if there is mold behind the paper?

If we find signs of mold or ongoing moisture, we stop and point it out so the source can be addressed before the wall is refinished.

Ready to plan your walls?

Tell us about the room, the paper you have in mind and your timing. We will set up a visit to look at the walls and talk through the next steps.

Request Service Call (561) 933-9440
Call (561) 933-9440 Request Service