Taking down wallpaper looks like the easy part of a project, until you meet paper that comes off in two-inch strips and glue that has set like a varnish. Removal is slow, wet and fiddly, and the wall underneath is often damaged by the time you finish.

The goal is not just bare walls. It is walls that are clean of paste, repaired and primed so the next coat of paint goes on evenly.

What removal includes

Testing a corner to learn what type of paper and backing you have
Scoring or lifting the surface so water or steam can reach the glue
Peeling the paper and soaking off the backing layer
Washing every trace of adhesive off the wall
Patching gouges and torn drywall paper
Sealing the wall with primer so it is ready for paint or new paper

What can be hiding behind old paper in a Kelowna house

The age of the paper tells us about the wall. Older paper was often hung straight onto bare drywall without a sealer, and that makes it hard to remove without tearing the paper face of the board. If we see that, we plan for repair and skim work in the quote, not as a surprise afterward.

If your Kelowna home is older, mention that when you ask for the quote. The paint under old wallpaper can be an old finish, so we ask about the age of the house before we sand or scrape, and we plan testing for any wall where lead paint is possible.

Expect the room to be damp and a little untidy while the work is under way. We lay protective sheeting, use towels for the run-off, and clear the scraped paper as we go. The wall needs a full day to dry afterwards, so plan the paint or new paper for the next visit.

How a removal day goes

Test and choose method. We try a small area to see whether the paper peels dry, needs a solution, or needs steam.
Strip the surface. The top layer comes off first, then the backing is soaked and scraped off in sections.
Wash and repair. Glue is washed off the walls, and then we patch the damage and sand everything smooth.
Prime and hand over. A primer seals the wall so you can paint it, or we can paint it for you in the same visit.

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

Wallpaper Removal in Kelowna: questions

Why not just paint over the wallpaper?

Paint over paper can bubble, lift at seams and show the pattern. Removing it is the way to get a clean, long-lasting wall.

Will the wall be damaged when the paper comes off?

Often a little. Torn drywall face or gouges are common, and we repair them as part of the work.

Can the same crew paint after removal?

Yes. Having one crew handle the removal, repair and paint means no gap in the schedule, and the primer goes on while the wall is still clean.

Other painting services in Kelowna

Wallpaper Removal in nearby towns

Request a free written quote for wallpaper removal in Kelowna and tell us how many rooms are papered.

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

More about wallpaper removal and Kelowna

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

Further reading: Kelowna on Wikipedia and Wallpaper on Wikipedia.

Watch: wallpaper removal in action

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