Old wallpaper looks like a quick job until you start lifting a corner. Some papers peel in full sheets, some tear into strips, and some leave a backing layer glued to the wall that has to be worked off a little at a time.

We take wallpaper down in Okanagan Falls rooms, and we treat the removal as the first half of the work. The second half is the wall underneath, which is rarely ready for paint when the last scrap comes off.

What removal includes

Testing how the paper comes away: dry peel, scoring or steaming
Stripping the face layer and the backing without gouging the board
Washing off all remaining adhesive, which paint will not cover
Repairing torn paper skin and dents in the drywall
Priming to seal the surface before the final coats
Cleaning up the paper debris, which is bulky and sticky

What is behind the paper

Many of the wallpapered rooms in older Okanagan Falls homes were done in a different decade and by a different method. Walls papered over bare drywall are the hardest, because the paper bonds to the face of the board and can pull it off. Walls that were primed before papering release much more cleanly.

That is why we test a hidden patch before we promise anything. If the drywall face is damaged, we repair it before painting rather than hope the primer will carry the finish. If your home is older, tell us when you ask for a quote, since earlier layers of paint under the paper may need testing before any sanding.

Safety and tidiness matter when water is involved. We keep wet paper off floors, tape plastic along baseboards, cover outlets and switch off the power to any circuit near a wet wall until it is dry. A damp wall is left to rest and dry fully before we prime, because trapped moisture shows up later as bubbling paint.

Stripping it back to the wall

Test a patch. We lift a corner in a hidden spot and see whether the paper comes off dry, needs scoring or needs a wet method.
Strip and soak. The paper and the backing are removed in sections, with surfaces protected from water and drips.
Wash and repair. Adhesive is washed away, and gouges, tears and nail holes are filled and sanded flat.
Prime for paint. A primer seals what is left so the paint goes on evenly, and the room is cleaned top to bottom.

The full process, prep and pricing factors are on our main wallpaper removal page.

Wallpaper Removal in Okanagan Falls: questions

Can I just paint over the wallpaper?

It is risky. Moisture in the paint can loosen seams, and the pattern and seams may show through. We would rather remove it and start on a clean surface.

Why is the glue such a big deal?

Leftover adhesive stops primer and paint from bonding and can bubble up weeks later. Washing it off thoroughly is the step that protects the finish.

Do you also repaint after the paper is gone?

Yes. We can take the room from the paper through to the final coat on one written quote.

Other painting services in Okanagan Falls

Wallpaper Removal in nearby towns

If a room in Okanagan Falls is stuck with old wallpaper, request a free written quote and we will plan the removal and repaint together.

Request your free written quote or call (778) 760-0346.

More about wallpaper removal and Okanagan Falls

Have a question first? Read the FAQ, learn about Alto Pro Painters or contact us.

Further reading: Okanagan Falls on Wikipedia and Wallpaper on Wikipedia.

Watch: wallpaper removal in action

How to strip wallpaper, by This Old House on YouTube.