Wallpaper shows up in Salt Lake homes of every age, from old papers over plaster in the Avenues to 1990s borders in the suburbs. We test a corner first, strip the paper, wash off the paste and repair and prime the wall so it is ready for paint.
Wallpaper turns up in Salt Lake homes of every age: old papers over plaster in the Avenues, vinyl borders and kitchen papers from the 1980s and 1990s in the suburbs, and newer feature walls. How hard it is to remove depends on what is behind it. Paper over a primed wall comes off cleanly. Paper glued straight to bare drywall takes the face of the drywall with it. You often cannot tell which you have until a strip is pulled.
We test a corner first. The top layer is peeled or scored, the backing is wetted and the paper is scraped off. Then the paste is washed from the wall, because paint over old paste cracks and peels. This washing step is slow, and it is the one most often skipped. On plaster walls the paper often hides cracks, and on drywall there are usually gouges and torn spots to repair.
After the paper is off, the wall is repaired, sealed and primed. Torn drywall paper must be sealed with the right primer before any filler goes on, or it bubbles. Badly damaged walls get a skim coat to make them smooth again. In homes built before 1978, old painted surfaces under the paper may contain lead, so sanding has to follow lead-safe methods. We explain what the wall needs once the paper is off, and adjust the quote in writing if it changes.
Wallpaper removal in Salt Lake City: common questions
Can you just paint over my wallpaper?
It can be done when the paper is tight and removal would wreck the wall, but it is the second choice. Seams and texture can show, and moisture from paint can lift the edges. We prime with an oil-based or sealing primer first if we do it.
Will my walls need repair after the wallpaper comes off?
Usually some. Expect paste to wash off and a few gouges to fill. Where paper was hung on bare drywall, a skim coat is common. We will not know for sure until a test area is off.
How long does wallpaper removal take?
A room with one layer on a primed wall can be stripped in a day. Several layers, painted-over paper or bare drywall behind it can take much longer. A test patch tells us.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.