Professional Wallpaper Removal
Safe, thorough removal with complete wall restoration
Service Overview
Removing old wallpaper is often the essential first step toward a fresh new look for your walls. Whether you plan to repaint, install new wallpaper, or apply a decorative finish, proper removal and wall preparation are critical for achieving professional results. Our wallpaper removal service handles everything from single-layer vinyl to stubborn multi-layer applications that have been in place for decades.
Our removal service includes:
- Assessment of existing wallpaper type and adhesion method
- Protection of floors, trim, and adjacent surfaces
- Steam and solution-based removal techniques
- Complete adhesive residue removal
- Wall repair including skim coating and sanding
- Primer application for your next wall treatment
- Full cleanup and debris disposal
Protecting Your Drywall
The biggest risk during wallpaper removal is damage to the underlying wall surface. Aggressive scraping, excessive moisture, or improper technique can gouge drywall paper, create divots, or cause delamination. Our team uses controlled moisture application and specialized scoring tools that penetrate the wallpaper without reaching the drywall beneath.
For walls where previous installers did not use primer (a common issue in older homes), removal requires extra patience and skill. We adjust our technique based on what we find beneath each layer, ensuring your walls emerge smooth and ready for their next treatment.
Post-Removal Wall Preparation
Removal is only half the job. After stripping wallpaper, walls typically need restoration work before they are ready for paint or new wallcovering. Our post-removal preparation includes:
- Washing walls to remove all adhesive residue
- Repairing any gouges, scratches, or torn drywall paper
- Skim coating to create a uniformly smooth surface
- Sanding to a paint-ready or wallpaper-ready finish
- Applying appropriate primer for your planned finish
Our Removal Process
- Assessment — We test a small area to determine wallpaper type, number of layers, and adhesion strength.
- Protection — We cover floors, mask trim, and protect any surfaces that could be affected by moisture.
- Scoring — For vinyl-coated papers, we score the surface to allow moisture penetration without damaging the wall.
- Solution application — We apply warm water with removal solution, allowing it to soak and dissolve the adhesive.
- Careful stripping — Using broad scrapers at the correct angle, we remove wallpaper in large sections.
- Residue removal — We wash walls thoroughly to remove all remaining adhesive.
- Wall restoration — We repair, skim coat, sand, and prime as needed for your next finish.
Materials and Surfaces
- Strippable wallpaper (dry removal possible)
- Peelable wallpaper (face peels, backing requires soaking)
- Vinyl-coated wallpaper (scoring and steaming required)
- Painted-over wallpaper (most challenging scenario)
- Multiple layers of wallpaper
- Wallpaper on drywall, plaster, and paneling
- Commercial-grade wallcoverings with heavy adhesives
Pricing Factors
- Number of layers to be removed
- Wallpaper type and adhesion method
- Whether wallpaper has been painted over
- Room size and wall height
- Condition of walls beneath the wallpaper
- Level of wall restoration needed after removal
Why Choose Old Bridge for Removal
- Experienced with all wallpaper types and adhesion methods
- Gentle techniques that protect your walls
- Complete service from removal through wall restoration
- Clean, professional work with full debris removal
- Can seamlessly transition to new wallpaper installation
- Free estimates with honest assessment of project scope
Areas We Serve
Our wallpaper removal services are available throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area: