Professional Wallpaper Removal

Our Process

Wallpaper removal is a systematic process. Skipping steps leads to damaged walls and ruined paint jobs. Here is our proven method for safe and effective removal:

1. Site Protection: Removal is a wet process. We meticulously cover your floors with heavy-duty drop cloths and plastic, and tape off baseboards and electrical outlets to prevent water damage.
2. Surface Scoring: For vinyl or painted-over wallpaper, we use specialized scoring tools to create tiny perforations in the surface, allowing moisture to reach the adhesive backing.
3. Soaking and Steaming: We apply hot water mixed with professional-grade, enzyme-based adhesive strippers. For stubborn papers, we utilize commercial wallpaper steamers to safely melt the glue.
4. Careful Scraping: Once the adhesive is released, our installers use broad taping knives to gently lift and scrape away the paper, taking extreme care not to gouge the drywall paper beneath.
5. Adhesive Washing: This is the most critical step. We scrub the bare walls with sponges and specialized cleaners to remove every trace of residual paste. Leftover paste will cause new paint to crack and peel.
6. Wall Repair: We patch any minor nicks, gouges, or imperfections that occurred during removal or were hiding beneath the old paper, sanding them smooth.
7. Sealing and Priming: Finally, we apply a specialized sealing primer that locks down any microscopic adhesive residue and creates a hard, uniform surface ready for paint or new wallpaper.

Materials & Surfaces

We have the experience and tools to remove virtually any type of wallcovering from any type of surface:

• Standard Vinyl & Paper: The most common removals, usually requiring scoring and enzyme solutions.
• Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper: While marketed as easy to remove, older or sun-baked peel-and-stick can leave heavy, stubborn adhesive residue that requires professional solvents to clean.
• Painted-Over Wallpaper: A difficult scenario where the paint layer must be heavily scored or sanded to allow steam and solvents to penetrate to the glue layer below.
• Multiple Layers: Older homes often have several layers of paper built up over decades, requiring a slow, layer-by-layer removal process.
• Removal from Drywall: Requires a delicate touch to prevent tearing the drywall facing paper.
• Removal from Plaster: Plaster can withstand more moisture and scraping than drywall, but requires care to avoid chipping or cracking the historic surface.

Pricing Factors

Because the difficulty of removal is hidden until we begin, pricing is often based on the time required. Factors that influence the cost include:

• Original Installation Quality: Walls that were properly sized/primed before the wallpaper was hung allow for fast, easy removal. Unprimed walls make removal slow and difficult, increasing labor costs.
• Type of Wallpaper: Porous paper comes off easier than heavy, waterproof vinyl that resists moisture penetration.
• Number of Layers: Removing three layers of old wallpaper takes significantly longer than removing a single layer.
• Painted Wallpaper: If previous owners painted over the wallpaper, it creates a waterproof barrier that makes removal highly labor-intensive.
• Room Size and Height: Larger rooms and high ceilings requiring scaffolding naturally require more time and effort.
• Extent of Wall Repair Needed: If the walls beneath the paper are heavily damaged and require extensive patching and skim-coating, this will add to the final cost.

Timeline & Prep Checklist

Wallpaper removal is a disruptive process. Here is how you can prepare your space for our team:

• Empty the Room: Please remove all furniture, rugs, curtains, and wall hangings. We need the room as empty as possible to maneuver safely with steamers and water.
• Protect Valuables: Removal generates humidity, dust, and sticky debris. Ensure adjacent rooms are closed off and sensitive electronics are removed from the area.
• Expect the Unexpected: Understand that the timeline is an estimate. We cannot know exactly how stubborn the adhesive is until we start. A room might take 6 hours, or it might take 16 hours.
• Plan for the Next Step: Remember that our service includes sealing the walls, but you will need to arrange for final painting or new wallpaper installation once our prep work is dry.

Why Choose Us

Don't spend your weekend frustrated and covered in sticky paste. Let the professionals handle it.

• Damage Prevention: We have the expertise to remove paper safely, protecting your underlying drywall or plaster from costly damage.
• Complete Cleanup: We handle the mess. We protect your home during the process and haul away all the sticky debris when we leave.
• Proper Preparation: We don't just strip the paper; we wash, patch, and seal the walls, ensuring they are truly ready for your next design phase.
• Efficiency: With commercial steamers and professional tools, we can complete in a day what might take a homeowner a week to do themselves.
• Stress-Free Experience: We turn a dreaded renovation chore into a smooth, hassle-free process for you.

Areas We Serve

We proudly provide professional wallpaper installation and removal services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Our service area includes:

• ✓ Oakland
• ✓ Fremont
• ✓ Hayward
• ✓ Concord
• ✓ Berkeley
• ✓ Antioch
• ✓ Richmond
• ✓ Daly City
• ✓ San Mateo
• ✓ San Leandro

If you don't see your city listed, please contact us to see if we can accommodate your project.

Frequently Asked Questions