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Wallpaper Removal Service in Windermere, FL

The short answer

We strip old wallpaper from Windermere homes, remove the adhesive left behind and repair the drywall underneath. You end up with walls ready to paint or paper again.

Old wallpaper rarely comes off the way a video makes it look. In Windermere we find everything from builder-applied borders in kitchens to heavy vinyl in bathrooms, and sometimes two or three layers stacked on top of each other from previous owners. Whatever is on your walls, the goal stays the same: get it off without gouging the drywall, clean away the leftover adhesive, and hand you a surface that is ready for paint or new paper. We make the roughly 10-mile trip west from Orlando to take on removal jobs throughout this lakeside town.

Why removal can go wrong

The biggest risk is not the paper itself but the wall under it. Many walls were papered with no primer, so the paste bonded straight to the paper face of the drywall. Pulling or scraping too hard tears that facing and exposes the brown layer beneath, which then bubbles when paint or new paste touches it.

Moisture adds another wrinkle in a Central Florida house. A wall that has been soaked to loosen paste needs time to dry before it is sealed. Rush that step in a humid month and you can trap moisture in the gypsum. We plan the job so walls have time to dry out with the air conditioning running before primer goes on.

Our step-by-step approach

Every wall gets tested first. We peel a corner to see whether the top layer is strippable, then check how the backing behaves. From there we choose the gentlest method that works.

  • Protect floors, trim and outlets, and shut off power to devices on wet walls
  • Dry-strip the face layer where the paper allows it
  • Score lightly where needed and apply a warm water and remover solution to the backing
  • Use steam on stubborn papers or multiple layers
  • Scrape softened backing with wide, rounded blades held at a low angle
  • Wash off remaining adhesive until the wall no longer feels tacky
  • Let the wall dry, then repair any damage

Repairing what is underneath

Even a careful removal can reveal problems that were hidden for years: torn drywall facing, old anchor holes, uneven patches or seams that were never finished well because the original builder knew they would be covered.

Torn facing gets sealed with an oil-based or shellac-type primer that stops the paper layer from bubbling. Holes and dents are filled, and rough areas may need a thin skim coat. When we finish, the wall is primed and ready, whether you plan to paint it or hang something new. If we are hanging the next paper too, the same visit can roll straight into installation once the surface is dry.

Rooms and materials we see in Windermere

Bathrooms are the most common request. Vinyl paper hung in steamy rooms tends to hold tight at the face while the paste underneath stays stubborn, and edges near tubs and showers may have mildew that needs cleaning. Kitchens often have borders at the soffit or along the ceiling. Dining rooms and bedrooms in older homes may have grasscloth, foil or flocked papers that each need a different technique.

Some homes near the lakes also have papered walls on the interior side of exterior block. Those surfaces can hold moisture differently than interior partitions, so we check for soft spots or staining that might point to a water issue worth addressing before redecorating.

Planning your project

Removal is messy, so empty shelves and take down art and window treatments before we arrive. We move light furniture and cover what stays. Expect some noise from steaming and scraping and a damp smell that fades as the walls dry.

We handle wallpaper removal for Windermere and nearby Winter Garden, Ocoee, Bay Lake, Lake Buena Vista and Sky Lake. Tell us roughly how many rooms are involved and what kind of paper you have, and we will plan the timing.

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What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. Honest prep advice

    If your wall has glossy paint, torn drywall facing or a lingering moisture problem, we say so before work starts and suggest the fix that makes sense for that surface.

  2. Patterns that line up

    We plot where the repeat falls at eye level and in corners, so the match holds across the whole room instead of drifting by the last strip.

  3. A tidy work area

    Drop cloths go down first, scraps leave with us, and paste residue is sponged off trim and ceilings before we call the job done.

FAQ

Common questions

Don’t see your question? Call (561) 944-3314 and we’ll talk it through.

Can you paint over old wallpaper instead of removing it?

It is possible but rarely wise. Seams and edges often show through, and the paper can loosen later. Removal gives a cleaner result.

How long does wallpaper removal take?

One bathroom is often finished in a day. Multiple layers, large rooms or significant drywall repair add time.

Will removing wallpaper damage my walls?

Some surface damage is common on walls that were never primed. We repair torn facing and patch holes as part of the job.

Do you use chemicals?

We mainly use warm water, a mild remover and steam. Strong chemicals are rarely needed.

Can you remove a wallpaper border only?

Yes. Borders are a common request, and we clean and touch up the strip of wall behind them.

Can you hang new wallpaper after removal?

Yes. Once the wall is clean, dry and primed, we can install new paper on the same project.

Tell Us About Your Walls

Send a few photos and the room dimensions, mention the paper you have in mind, and we will reply with questions and next steps for a visit.

Request Service Call (561) 944-3314
Call (561) 944-3314 Request Service