The short answer
We take down old wallpaper in Lauderhill homes using the gentlest method that works for that paper, then clean off adhesive, repair the wall and prime it. The goal is a smooth surface ready for paint or new wallcovering.
Dated borders in the kitchen, a faded floral in the guest bath, a peeling vinyl in the laundry room: plenty of Lauderhill homes still carry wallcoverings from previous owners. Getting them off without wrecking the wall underneath takes patience and the right technique for each layer. True Wallpaper Installation removes old wallpaper in Lauderhill and ZIP 33313, about six miles west of our Fort Lauderdale base, and restores the surface so it is ready for whatever you plan next. Here is how to tell what you are dealing with, when it makes sense to hire help, and how we approach the job.
Signs the old paper has to go
Not every wallpaper needs removal, but some conditions make it unavoidable before you can paint or repaper.
- Seams lifting or curling, especially in bathrooms and kitchens
- Bubbles or soft spots where the paper has let go of the wall
- Dark spotting on the surface or behind the edges, which can point to mildew
- Multiple layers that make the wall look lumpy
- A painted-over paper that is now cracking along its seams
Doing it yourself versus hiring it out
A single wall of modern strippable paper is a reasonable weekend project for many homeowners. You lift a corner, peel the face dry, and wash off any leftover backing. Trouble begins with older papers, vinyl over drywall, painted paper, or several layers stacked together. Aggressive scraping, too much water or a steamer held in one place can tear the drywall face, and fixing that often takes longer than the removal itself.
Hiring a pro makes the most sense when the paper is in a bathroom or kitchen, when you want to repaper soon and need a truly smooth wall, or when a first DIY attempt has already left damage.
Matching the method to the wallpaper
Strippable non-woven papers usually come off dry in long sheets. Peelable vinyls lose their top layer easily but leave a paper backing that has to be soaked and scraped. Traditional pulp papers absorb water readily and soften fast. Painted paper and solid vinyl resist moisture, so we lightly perforate the surface first to let a removal solution or steam reach the adhesive.
We choose the least invasive approach that works, starting with a small test area. On plaster over concrete block, common in older Lauderhill houses, steam is generally safe. On drywall we keep moisture controlled and work in small sections.
After the paper comes off
The removal is only half the job. Adhesive residue left on the wall will ruin new paint, causing cracking or a crazed look, and it interferes with new wallpaper paste. We wash the wall until it no longer feels slick, then let it dry completely, which can take longer in the summer months when humidity runs high.
Next comes repair. Torn drywall paper is sealed with a solvent-based primer so it will not bubble, then patched and sanded. Gouges and holes are filled. If new wallpaper is planned, we skim the wall smooth and finish with a wallcovering primer. If paint is next, we prime with a product suited to the finish you have chosen.
Protecting your home during removal
Removal is messy. Wet scraps stick to floors, and water can run toward baseboards and outlets. We lay down plastic and absorbent drop cloths, tape off electrical boxes, shut off power to circuits in the work area if needed, and bag debris as we go.
We also manage indoor moisture. Soaking or steaming walls adds water to the air, so we keep the air conditioning running and use fans to dry the room. That matters in Lauderhill, where humidity is already high from May through October.
Nearby service area
We handle wallpaper removal in Lauderdale Lakes, Sunrise, Plantation, Tamarac and North Lauderdale too, and can follow the removal with new installation if you would like the room finished in one project.
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