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Hollywood, FL Wallpaper Removal and Wall Repair

The short answer

Removing wallpaper in Hollywood usually means identifying the paper type, softening the adhesive, scraping carefully, washing off residue and fixing any torn drywall. The goal is a smooth, primed wall ready for whatever comes next.

Plenty of Hollywood homes still carry wallpaper from earlier owners: seashell borders in a guest bath, a dated floral in a kitchen, a vinyl print in a condo hallway that has seen better days. Taking it down neatly is slow, careful work, and the real challenge is what you find underneath. True Wallpaper Installation removes wallpaper and repairs the walls in ZIP codes 33019, 33020, 33021 and 33022, about 8 miles south of our Fort Lauderdale base, so you are left with a clean surface ready for paint or a fresh wallcovering.

Signs it is time to take the paper down

Sometimes the answer is purely style. Other times the wallpaper itself is telling you. In our humid climate, older paper often shows its age in specific ways.

  • Seams opening or curling, especially on outside walls
  • Bubbles or soft spots where adhesive has let go
  • Brown or dark stains that may point to past leaks
  • Visible mildew spots in bathrooms or laundry rooms
  • Paint applied over the paper that is now cracking at the seams

Why some walls are harder than others

The single biggest factor is whether the wall was primed before the paper went up. Paper hung on bare drywall bonds directly to the gypsum board's paper face, and removing it can pull that face away. Walls that were sealed first usually release much more cleanly.

Construction plays a part too. Plaster over concrete block, found in many older Hollywood houses, is hard and tolerates water, so it is often easier to strip. Drywall in newer homes and condos needs gentler handling. Multiple layers, painted-over paper and very old adhesives all add time.

Step by step: our removal process

We protect floors and furniture, switch off power to circuits in the work area, and remove cover plates. A test spot tells us whether the paper peels dry, splits into a top layer and backing, or needs soaking.

For papers that will not come off dry, we score the surface lightly, apply a warm remover solution and let it soak in. Softened paper is lifted with a wide scraper held low to avoid gouging. On stubborn plaster we may use a steamer; on drywall we limit heat and moisture to protect the board. We work one section at a time and keep the solution from pooling at the baseboard.

Once the paper is gone, we wash the walls repeatedly until the old paste is gone. Residue left behind causes paint to crackle and new paper to fail, so this step is never skipped.

Repairing what is underneath

Where drywall facing has torn, we seal the exposed brown paper with a shellac or oil-based primer so it will not blister when compound goes on. Then we skim with joint compound, let it dry and sand smooth. Larger areas may get a full skim coat. Small holes, old anchors and cracks are filled at the same time.

If we uncover mold or water staining, we show you before continuing. It is better to find the cause, perhaps a window seal or plumbing leak, than to cover it up. The finished wall is primed for paint or for new wallpaper.

What to expect on the day

Removal is louder and wetter than people expect, mostly because of the sprayers, scraping and constant wiping. Plan to keep children and pets out of the room. Bathrooms and kitchens may be out of use for part of the day while we work around fixtures, and we will let you know in advance if a toilet tank or vanity mirror needs to come off the wall for access.

By the end of removal day you should see bare, washed walls. Repairs to torn drywall usually need drying time between coats of compound, so the final sanding and priming may happen on a follow-up visit, particularly when the air is humid.

Planning around weather

Washed and repaired walls must dry thoroughly before primer goes on. During the hot, humid wet season from May through October, drying can take longer, so we keep the AC running and may leave extra time between steps. November through April is drier and moves a little faster. Projects scheduled during hurricane season, June 1 to November 30, should allow some flexibility in case storms shift the calendar.

We also remove wallpaper in Dania Beach, Plantation, Wilton Manors, Lauderdale Lakes and Lauderhill.

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What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. Honest wall assessment

    If a surface needs stripping, skim coating or time to dry, we tell you before work begins, not halfway through.

  2. Careful layout

    We measure, plan the repeat and decide where the pattern starts so motifs line up across corners, doors and windows.

  3. A clean finish

    Seams are tight, edges are trimmed cleanly at trim and ceilings, and the room is left tidy with care tips for your new walls.

FAQ

Common questions

Can I remove wallpaper myself?

Many people do. The risk is tearing drywall facing on unprimed walls, which then needs repair before painting.

What do you do with the old wallpaper?

We bag the debris and take it with us when the job is finished.

Can you remove wallpaper from a ceiling?

Yes. Ceiling removal is slower and messier, so let us know about it when you request a visit.

Will my walls be ready to paint right away?

After washing, repairs and primer have dried, yes. We confirm the wall is smooth and clean before calling it done.

Do you remove wallpaper in Hollywood condos?

Yes. We keep debris contained in the unit and follow building rules for contractor access.

Ready to plan your wallpaper project?

Tell us about the room, the paper you have in mind and the condition of the walls. We will follow up to look at the space and map out the work.

(912) 873-9767
Call (912) 873-9767 Request Service