Old wallpaper in Miami homes and condos has often been through years of humidity, and some of it was hung on unprimed drywall. We remove the paper and the paste, repair any torn wall surface, skim coat where needed and prime so the wall is ready for paint.
Wallpaper in Miami homes has often lived through decades of humid air. In some rooms the seams have lifted and the edges have curled. In others the paper is stuck fast because it was hung straight onto bare drywall with no primer, which was common in older condos and tract houses. We find out which kind you have by testing a small area in a corner. That test tells us how long the job will take, and we do it before we quote.
Vinyl papers usually come off in two layers. The face peels away dry, and the paper backing is soaked with a removal solution and scraped off with a wide blade. Then comes the part that matters most: the paste. Every bit of old adhesive is washed from the wall, because paint over paste cracks and crazes later. Floors and baseboards are covered and taped against the water, outlets are protected, and power to the room's outlets is switched off while the walls are wet.
Bare walls after removal are rarely ready for paint. Where paper was glued to unprimed drywall, some of the drywall face tears away with it. Those spots are sealed with a primer made for damaged drywall, skimmed with joint compound, sanded and primed again. Rooms with heavy damage may need a thin skim coat over the whole wall. After that the room is painted like any other. Bathrooms get a moisture resistant paint, which holds up far better in this climate than paper ever did.
Wallpaper removal in Miami: common questions
Can you paint over my wallpaper to save money?
We do not advise it. Seams and texture show through, and the water in paint can loosen the paste so the paper bubbles. In a humid city the risk is higher. Removing the paper and priming the wall gives a finish that lasts.
How long does it take to strip one room?
It depends on how the paper was hung. Paper over primed walls can come off in hours. Paper glued to bare drywall is slow and needs wall repair after. We test a small patch at the estimate so the quote is based on your walls.
Is there mold behind wallpaper in Florida homes?
Sometimes, mostly behind vinyl paper on outside walls or in bathrooms, where moisture gets trapped. If we find a small area we stop, show you and agree on how to clean and seal it. A large area needs a mold specialist before any painting.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.