Smooth Wallpaper Removal Services

Wallpaper removal follows a sequence. First we perforate the paper surface with a scoring tool so removal solution can penetrate. Next we apply steam from a wallpaper steamer, or spray wallpaper removal solution and let it soak. Then we scrape paper off in sheets where possible, strips where not. After paper is off, we wash every trace of glue with warm water and TSP. Drywall damage gets patched, sanded, and primed. Finally we prime the entire wall with a drywall primer before finish paint. Every step is necessary for a paint-ready wall.

Yes, paint-ready finish is included on every wallpaper removal project. After removal and glue wash, we prime the entire wall with a drywall-rated primer, then apply two coats of matched finish paint. For whole-room repaints, our interior painting scope covers ceilings, trim, and any other walls in the same room on one visit so the entire room finishes coordinated rather than just the wallpaper walls. Painting over residual glue is the top cause of post-removal paint failure, which is why we wash glue off completely.

Yes, though painted-over wallpaper is harder to remove than raw wallpaper. Paint seals the paper surface, preventing steam and removal solution from penetrating the glue layer underneath. Our wallpaper removal crew scores the paper surface more aggressively on painted-over paper, applies solution for longer dwell times, and scrapes in smaller sections. Sometimes painted-over wallpaper in excellent condition is worth leaving in place with fresh paint over, but that decision depends on paper edges, bubbling, and substrate. We walk every job to recommend removal versus paint-over honestly.

Single-layer wallpaper in a standard-sized room finishes in one to two working days including removal, glue wash, and drywall prep. Multi-layer wallpaper, painted-over paper, or wallpaper with extensive drywall damage stretches to three to five days per room. Kitchens with grease-soaked wallpaper behind stoves take longer than bedrooms with clean wallpaper. Our wallpaper removal crew walks every project before quoting so timelines reflect actual conditions rather than optimistic averages. Whole-home wallpaper removal across five or six rooms runs two to three weeks on coordinated schedules.

Some minor damage is almost unavoidable, particularly on walls where wallpaper was installed directly over raw drywall without a primer coat. Paper scraping can tear the drywall face paper, leaving rough spots that need skim coating. Our wallpaper removal crew minimizes damage through proper steam timing and gentle scraping, then repairs any damage that occurs with spackle, sanding, and primer. For homes with extensive raw-drywall-wallpaper damage, skim coating entire walls sometimes makes more sense than patching individual tears. We quote both approaches during walkthrough estimates.

Yes. Multi-layer wallpaper removal is common in older Lexington homes where previous owners wallpapered over existing wallpaper rather than removing it first. Each layer adds removal time, typically 30 to 50 percent over single-layer projects. Top layer comes off first, then we perforate and steam the next layer, repeat until bare drywall. For homes with four or five layers of wallpaper, scope can stretch significantly. Our wallpaper removal crew counts layers during walkthrough estimates by probing the paper edge, so quotes reflect actual work rather than surprise complications mid-project.

Yes, and glue removal is as important as paper removal. Residual glue creates paint adhesion failure, visible flashing through finish coats, and texture inconsistency across the wall. Our wallpaper removal crew washes every trace of glue with warm water, TSP, or wallpaper glue remover solution depending on glue type. For stubborn glue, multiple wash passes are needed until the wall reads clean to touch and rinse water runs clear. Some installers skip glue wash to save time; that is why so many post-wallpaper paint jobs fail. We never skip the wash step.

Yes. Soda City Painting is licensed as a general contractor in South Carolina and carries general liability plus workers’ compensation insurance on every wallpaper removal project. Certificates of insurance are available on request within 48 hours for HOA documentation and property management requirements. For real estate and pre-listing wallpaper removal projects, we provide written documentation suitable for listing agent records. Documentation standards are consistent across residential and commercial wallpaper removal and related interior work we complete.

Yes, drywall repair is included on every wallpaper removal project when damage occurs during paper scraping. Small tears and gouges get spackled, sanded, and primed. Larger damage where the drywall face paper has torn gets skim coated to create a uniform surface. For extensive damage on walls that were wallpapered directly over raw drywall, our sheetrock repair team handles substrate-level repairs before primer. Drywall repair is scoped during the walkthrough estimate rather than discovered mid-project.