Taking down old wallpaper in Peachland looks easy until the paper tears and leaves a layer stuck to the wall. What looks like a weekend task turns into days of scraping and patching, and it can damage the drywall underneath.

We handle it as part of a painting job. The paper comes off, the glue is cleaned away, the wall is repaired and primed, and the paint goes on a clean surface.

Older papers are sometimes held with a strong adhesive that resists soaking. In that case we work in small sections so the water does not run down the wall, and we protect baseboards and flooring against dripping.

If you are not sure how many layers are on the wall, send a photo of a lifted corner with your quote request and we will give you a realistic idea of the work involved.

The removal work

Scoring and soaking paper that is not strippable
Peeling off the top layer of dry-strippable paper
Washing off leftover adhesive
Skim coating or patching walls torn during removal
Priming over glue residue so paint does not blister
Removing borders and stray paper at trim edges

Old paper in an Okanagan home

Wallpaper in an older home may have been painted over, layered, or applied directly on bare drywall. Each case behaves differently, so we test a small patch before committing to a method.

If the drywall paper face tears during removal, the wall needs sealing and skimming before paint. That is why we like to include removal and repair in one written quote, instead of leaving a half-finished wall.

Once the wall is clean, give it time to dry fully before paint goes on. A damp wall can trap moisture under the primer and cause bubbling later, so we schedule the repair and prime coats with drying time built in.

Ask yourself what goes on the wall next. If you plan to repaint, a smooth, primed surface is the goal. If you want new paper, the wall still needs to be clean, sealed and free of old glue, so the removal step is the same either way.

Taking the paper off

Test a corner. We peel a small section to see whether the paper is strippable, and how well the wall is protected beneath.
Wet and lift. Water and a stripping solution soften the paste so sheets can be lifted without gouging.
Wash the glue. Residue is rinsed off, because leftover adhesive shows through paint.
Repair and prime. Damaged areas are filled and sanded, and a primer seals the wall for painting.

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

Wallpaper Removal in Peachland: questions

Why not just paint over old wallpaper?

Seams and edges tend to show through, and moisture in the paint can loosen the paper so it bubbles.

Will the wall be damaged underneath?

Sometimes. Drywall can lose its paper face, so we allow time for skimming and priming in the quote.

Does steam work better than soaking?

Steam helps on stubborn paper, but too much water can soak drywall. We choose the method based on the test patch.

Other painting services in Peachland

Wallpaper Removal in nearby towns

Request a free written quote for wallpaper removal in Peachland and we will plan the repair as well.

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

More about wallpaper removal and Peachland

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

Further reading: Peachland on Wikipedia and Wallpaper on Wikipedia.

Watch: wallpaper removal in action

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