The short answer
We strip old wallpaper from Manalapan homes, remove the leftover adhesive, and repair any surface damage so the wall is ready to finish. The approach depends on what is underneath, which we test before starting.
Old wallpaper rarely comes down the way the internet promises. In a house that has been redecorated several times, there may be a vinyl layer over a paper layer over bare, unprimed drywall, all held in place by adhesive that has had decades of humid summers to set. Pull too hard and the drywall's paper face comes off with it. WallEdge Installation removes wallpaper in Manalapan, a short trip of about three miles from our Boynton Beach base, and leaves walls ready for paint or a fresh covering.
First, a test patch
Before committing to a method, we pick an inconspicuous spot and try to lift a corner. How the paper responds tells us a lot. If it peels away in a full sheet leaving a thin backing behind, it is probably a strippable or peelable product and the job will move quickly. If it tears in small pieces, the paper is likely bonded directly to the wall and will need soaking. If nothing moves at all, we may be dealing with paper hung on unsealed drywall, which calls for the gentlest approach.
We also check how many layers are on the wall and whether paint was rolled over the paper at some point. Painted-over wallpaper is common in older homes and takes extra scoring to let moisture reach the glue.
The methods we use
Every wall gets the least aggressive method that works. In general that means:
- Dry stripping for peelable vinyl, pulling the top layer off at a low angle and then soaking the backing.
- Warm water with a removal solution, applied in sections and allowed to soak in before scraping.
- Light perforation with a scoring tool on painted or coated papers so the solution can penetrate.
- Steam for stubborn, multi-layer jobs, used carefully so heat and moisture do not soften drywall too much.
- A final wash to dissolve adhesive residue, which otherwise causes paint to crackle or bubble.
Why humidity changes the job here
In much of the country, wallpaper adhesive dries out over time. In South Florida, steady humidity and long air-conditioned years can do odd things to it: some pastes stay slightly tacky, while others harden into a crust. Bathrooms and kitchens near the coast often have mildew behind the paper, especially along exterior walls and behind vanities, where condensation forms against cool block.
When we find mold or mildew staining, we clean and treat the surface and let it dry thoroughly before any repair. Sealing over damp or contaminated drywall just traps the problem. If a wall shows signs of an active leak, we let you know so it can be addressed before refinishing.
Repairing the wall afterward
Even a careful removal can leave small tears in the drywall's paper facing, especially in older installations. Those spots will show through paint as fuzzy patches. We seal torn areas with a shellac or oil-based primer designed for damaged drywall, then skim with joint compound, sand and prime again.
The result should be a smooth, sealed surface that takes paint evenly or accepts a new wallpaper without problems. If you plan to rehang paper, we can finish with a wallcovering primer that makes the next removal much easier.
Planning and protection
Removal is a wet, messy job, so we cover floors with waterproof drop cloths, tape off outlets and switch plates after turning off power where needed, and move or wrap furniture near the walls. Wastewater and scraped paper are bagged and taken away.
A small powder room is often done in a day, while a large room with multiple layers can take longer, plus drying time before repairs. We handle removal throughout Manalapan and in Hypoluxo, Lantana, South Palm Beach, Ocean Ridge and Lake Worth Beach.
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