Many Detroit houses have several layers of wallpaper, some of it painted over. On plaster it usually comes off cleanly with steam or a soaking solution. The paste is then washed off, the wall is repaired and primed, and only after that is it painted.
Many older houses in Detroit have wallpaper somewhere, often several layers, and often with paint over it. It was hung on plaster with wheat paste or later vinyl adhesives. Getting it off cleanly is the first step to a good painted wall, because paint over paper shows every seam and can lift the paper as it dries. It also lets us see and repair the wall underneath. Expect us to test a corner before we price the room.
The paper is scored where needed and loosened with steam or a removal solution, then scraped off without gouging the wall. Painted-over paper and vinyl-coated paper take longer, because water cannot get through the surface easily. On plaster, paper usually releases well. On drywall that was never primed, it can tear the face of the board, and that damage has to be sealed and skimmed afterward. We tell you which kind of wall you have as soon as the first strip comes away.
Removal is only half the job. The paste left on the wall has to be washed off fully. Paint put over paste residue cracks and crazes. After washing, the wall is left to dry, cracks and gouges are repaired, and the surface is primed with a primer suited to what is there. Then it can be painted like any other wall. The quote covers removal, repair, primer and paint. If more layers turn up, we tell you before going on.
Wallpaper removal in Detroit: common questions
Can you just paint over my wallpaper?
It is possible but rarely a good idea. Seams show and the paper can bubble. Removal gives a better and longer lasting result in almost every case.
How long does wallpaper removal take?
It depends on the number of layers and the wall under them. One room with a single layer on plaster is often a day. Painted-over or multiple layers take longer.
What if the wall is damaged under the paper?
That is common. Torn drywall paper is sealed, the wall is skim coated with joint compound, sanded and primed before paint.
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.