Old wallpaper is often the last thing standing between a dated room and a fresh one. The paper is the easy part to see; what matters is what lies behind it. Residual glue, torn drywall paper and moisture can all cause trouble if painted over, so removal needs to be thorough.

We strip wallpaper from Osoyoos homes, whether it is a border in a kitchen, a printed paper in a hallway or a full set of walls in an inherited house. Once the paper is gone, the walls are repaired and primed so painting can follow directly.

What stripping a room involves

Testing a corner to learn whether the paper peels dry or needs scoring and soaking
Protecting floors, baseboards and outlets from water and scraps
Removing the top layer and the backing, then loosening leftover adhesive
Washing the walls so no glue film remains
Repairing gouges, torn paper faces and open seams in the drywall
Priming the clean walls with a sealer before any paint is applied

Inherited rooms and the layers underneath

Houses that change hands often arrive with the previous owner’s wallpaper still up, and in a second home it may have been there for years. Some rooms have more than one layer, which doubles the work, so we always open a test section before settling the scope.

Wallpaper removal and repainting are best planned as one job, since leftover adhesive that is not washed off will bubble under a new coat. If you are buying a place in Osoyoos and want it painted before moving in, we can quote the removal, repair and painting together so the schedule runs smoothly.

The stripping sequence

Test and quote. We try a corner, see how the paper lifts, and write the scope, the number of layers expected and the repair work into a free written quote.
Strip the paper. Floors are covered, the paper is scored and loosened, and sheets and backing are peeled away from the wall.
Clean and repair. Adhesive is washed off, torn drywall faces are sealed and skimmed, and the wall is sanded smooth.
Prime and hand over. A primer seals the wall, we check it in good light and either paint it or leave it ready for you.

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

Wallpaper Removal in Osoyoos: questions

Why is the wall damaged after the paper comes off?

If paper was hung on bare drywall, it can pull the top layer away with it. That is repairable by sealing and skimming, and we allow for it in the plan.

Can I just paint over the wallpaper?

It is risky. Seams can show, the paper can bubble from the moisture in the paint, and the pattern may bleed through. Removing it is the more reliable route.

How do you tell what kind of paper I have?

We try a dry peel at a corner first. Some papers lift as a full sheet, while others split and need scoring and soaking, which affects the time required.

Other painting services in Osoyoos

Wallpaper Removal in nearby towns

If you have old paper to clear in Osoyoos, request a free written quote and we will plan the walls through to paint.

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

More about wallpaper removal and Osoyoos

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

Further reading: Osoyoos on Wikipedia and Wallpaper on Wikipedia.

Watch: wallpaper removal in action

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