The short answer
We strip old wallpaper from Miami Springs homes, including painted-over paper and multiple layers, using scoring, steam or gel removers matched to the wall. Afterward we wash off adhesive and repair the surface so it is ready for paint or new paper.
Old wallpaper in Miami Springs homes comes in every condition imaginable. Some peels off in long, satisfying sheets. Some has been painted over two or three times and fights back at every inch. Some was hung directly on unprimed drywall, and pulling it tears the paper face of the board. We remove wallpaper for homeowners across ZIP 33166, about 4 miles south of our Hialeah shop, and the method we use depends entirely on what we find once the first corner is lifted. This page explains how we diagnose the wall, the steps we take to strip it, and how we leave the surface ready for paint or a new covering.
First, a test patch
No two removal jobs look alike until we test. We pick an inconspicuous spot, usually behind a door or near a baseboard, and try a dry peel. Modern strippable papers often release cleanly this way. If only the top layer comes off and leaves a backing behind, we know we have a peelable paper. If nothing lifts, we are dealing with older paper, multiple layers or paint sealing the surface.
The test also tells us what is underneath. Plaster over concrete block is durable and tolerates water well. Drywall is more fragile, and if it was never primed before the original paper went up, too much moisture can soften its face. Knowing that in the first few minutes keeps the whole job on track.
Removal methods we use
For painted or vinyl-faced papers, we score the surface lightly so moisture can reach the paste, taking care not to cut into the wall. Then we apply a warm solution or a gel stripper and give it time to soak. Steam is reserved for stubborn layers on plaster, where heat helps release old adhesive without damaging the surface. On drywall we use steam sparingly.
Once the paper lets go, we scrape with wide, flexible blades held at a low angle, which reduces gouging. Multiple layers come off one at a time.
- Dry peel for strippable and peelable papers
- Scoring plus soak for vinyl and painted-over paper
- Gel removers on vertical surfaces where liquid runs
- Steam on plaster for multilayer or very old adhesive
Cleaning off the adhesive
Stripping the paper is only half the work. Paste left on the wall will crack new paint, cause blotchy sheen and prevent new wallpaper from bonding. We wash the walls with warm water and a mild remover until the surface no longer feels slick, then let it dry fully. In a humid home that drying step matters; walls that seem dry to the touch can still hold moisture in the plaster. We take a meter reading before priming.
Repairs after removal
Even careful removal can reveal problems hidden for years: old nail holes, cracks along block joints, torn drywall facing or patches that were never sanded. Torn drywall paper is sealed with a stain-blocking primer before any compound goes on, otherwise it bubbles. Cracks are taped or filled, and low spots are skimmed and sanded.
When the wall is smooth, we apply the primer that suits your next step: a paint primer if you are painting, or a wallpaper primer if a new covering is going up. Many Miami Springs clients have us remove and rehang in the same project.
Timing and household tips
Removal is wet, so we cover floors with drop cloths and plastic, shut off power to outlets on the work wall when needed, and keep the AC running to help walls dry overnight. In the drier months between November and April, walls dry faster, which can shorten multi-day jobs. During storm season we keep an eye on the forecast; if the power may go out, we pause rather than leave wet walls without cooling.
We also remove wallpaper in Doral, West Miami, Medley, Opa-locka and Miami.
More services in Miami Springs
- Wallpaper Installation in Miami Springs
- Accent Wall Installation in Miami Springs
- Mural Installation in Miami Springs
- Grasscloth Wallpaper Installation in Miami Springs
