The short answer
We strip wallpaper and borders from South Palm Beach units, wash off adhesive, handle any mildew or drywall damage, and leave walls primed for paint or new paper, all while following building rules.
Many South Palm Beach condos changed hands with the previous owner's decor still on the walls: a tropical border in the kitchen, a metallic vinyl in the bath, a patterned paper in the guest room that no longer fits. Taking it down is often the first step in an update. WallEdge Installation, located about five miles southwest in Boynton Beach, removes wallpaper in condos and homes throughout South Palm Beach and repairs the walls so the next finish goes on smoothly.
What usually hides behind condo wallpaper
Every removal job reveals something. Sometimes it is a clean, primed wall and the paper releases in full sheets. More often in older units, it is paper bonded directly to bare drywall, multiple layers from different decades, or vinyl that trapped moisture against a wall shared with the exterior.
In coastal buildings, that last scenario can lead to mildew spotting, especially in bathrooms, behind vanities and on walls near air handlers where condensation forms. We treat it when we find it and let you know if it suggests a leak or ventilation problem that management or a plumber should look at.
Our step-by-step approach
Each wall gets the gentlest method that works, determined by a quick test in a hidden spot:
- Protect floors, cabinets and fixtures with waterproof coverings, and shut off power to outlets on the walls being stripped.
- Peel the top layer dry where the paper allows, leaving the backing behind.
- Score coated or painted papers lightly so removal solution can reach the adhesive.
- Soak sections with warm water and solution, wait for the glue to soften, then scrape with a wide blade held at a low angle.
- Use steam for heavy, layered or stubborn areas, keeping heat away from drywall seams.
- Wash the walls thoroughly to dissolve leftover adhesive, then let them dry before repair.
Building logistics
Wallpaper removal is wet and creates bags of soggy debris, so in condo buildings we plan the cleanup as carefully as the work. We follow management's rules for contractor check-in, elevator reservations and work hours, protect common-area floors, and carry all waste out ourselves rather than using building trash chutes. Inside the unit, there are no loud power tools, which keeps the job neighbor-friendly.
Repairing the surface for what comes next
Even careful removal can leave torn drywall face paper, gouges or small dents. Painting directly over those areas causes bubbling and a fuzzy texture. We seal torn spots with a primer made for damaged drywall, skim with joint compound, sand smooth and prime again.
If you plan to paint, the wall is ready for your painter or for our crew to coordinate with one. If you plan to rehang, we finish with a wallcovering primer and can install the new paper right away. Many clients combine removal and installation into one project to minimize building visits.
Painted-over paper and other surprises
One of the more common findings in older South Palm Beach units is wallpaper that someone painted over instead of removing. From across the room it looks like a normal wall, but seams show as faint lines and the surface sounds hollow in spots when tapped. The paint layer blocks water from reaching the glue, so we score the surface carefully and allow longer soak times.
We also run into wallpaper hung over glossy paint, which sometimes peels away easily, and paper applied straight onto skim-coated concrete, which can be stubborn. Knowing which situation we are dealing with lets us give you a realistic timeline before the bulk of the work begins.
When to schedule
Removal can happen any time of year, but drying takes longer in the humid months from May through October, which can add a little time before repair and priming. Owners who leave for the summer sometimes schedule removal before departure and new finishes on return. During hurricane season, from June through November, we keep an eye on the forecast and reschedule if a storm threatens. We also remove wallpaper in Lantana, Manalapan, Hypoluxo, Lake Worth Beach and Atlantis.
More services in South Palm Beach
- Wallpaper Installation in South Palm Beach
- Accent Wall Installation in South Palm Beach
- Mural Installation in South Palm Beach
- Grasscloth Wallpaper Installation in South Palm Beach