The short answer
We remove wallpaper from Atlantis homes by testing how it releases, scoring or soaking only as needed, and protecting the drywall underneath. After stripping we wash off residue and repair damage so walls are ready to paint or repaper.
Old wallpaper in an Atlantis home often hides more than dated florals. Behind it you may find a second or third layer, paint applied right over a border, or drywall that was never primed before the first paper went up. WallEdge Installation comes up from Boynton Beach, about five miles away, to strip wallpaper cleanly, repair what lies beneath and leave walls ready for paint or a new wallcovering. Here is how we approach removal and what affects how long it takes.
Start with a test patch
No two removals are the same, so we never assume. We begin by lifting a corner in an inconspicuous spot to see what kind of paper is on the wall. Strippable papers peel off dry in long sheets. Peelable vinyls leave a paper backing that needs soaking. Older pulp papers and anything that has been painted over must be perforated and soaked before they will budge.
The test also tells us what is under the paper. If the original installer skipped primer, the paste may have bonded directly to the drywall's paper face. That surface tears easily, so we slow down, use less water and plan for repair work afterward.
Our step-by-step process
Once we know what we are dealing with, removal follows a steady routine that keeps your floors, outlets and trim protected.
- Cover floors, shut off power to wall outlets in wet areas and remove plates
- Dry-strip any top layer that releases on its own
- Score stubborn paper lightly and apply warm water with a removal solution
- Let the backing soften, then lift it with wide, blunt scrapers
- Wash the wall to remove leftover paste, which otherwise ruins new paint
- Patch gouges, seal torn drywall paper and sand smooth
Why paste residue matters
It is tempting to strip the paper and paint right away. The problem is the invisible film of old adhesive left behind. Latex paint applied over it can crack, wrinkle or peel within weeks, and the issue is often worse in South Florida, where humid summer air keeps that residue slightly tacky. We wash the walls until the water runs clean and the surface no longer feels slick, then let them dry before priming.
Common situations in Atlantis homes
Many houses in this area have kitchens and bathrooms that were papered decades ago, often with vinyl that has started to curl at the seams from steam and AC cycling. In those rooms we look for mildew behind the paper, which can form when moisture gets trapped against a cool wall. If we find it, we clean and treat the surface before any new finish goes on.
Living rooms sometimes have borders at the ceiling or chair-rail height that were painted around or over. Those take patience, since the paint seals the paper and blocks water from reaching the paste.
How to prepare the house before we arrive
A little preparation on your side makes stripping day go faster. Take pictures, mirrors and shelves off the walls, and move small furniture and anything breakable out of the room. Large pieces can stay; we will slide them to the center and cover them. If the room has a TV mounted on the wall, let us know ahead of time so we can plan around the bracket.
Removal uses water, so we like to know about any outlets that have been acting up, any spots where the wall has felt soft, and whether there has ever been a roof or plumbing leak in that area. In rooms on an exterior concrete block wall, moisture from a stormy week can already be sitting in the plaster, and adding more water there needs care. We sometimes run fans and the AC a little colder during and after the job to help walls dry evenly.
Plan on the room being out of use for the duration of the work and for a short drying period afterward. Pets and small children are happiest elsewhere while scrapers and buckets are out.
Ready for what comes next
When removal is done, you can paint, or we can hang new wallpaper on the freshly primed surface. Doing both in one project avoids a second round of furniture moving. We serve Atlantis along with Greenacres, Lantana, Lake Worth Beach, Lake Clarke Shores and Hypoluxo.
More services in Atlantis
- Wallpaper Installation in Atlantis
- Accent Wall Installation in Atlantis
- Mural Installation in Atlantis
- Grasscloth Wallpaper Installation in Atlantis
