Old wallpaper in Santa Rosa homes was often hung straight onto unprimed drywall, which makes it slow to remove without tearing the wall. We take the paper and the paste off, repair the surface, skim coat where needed and prime, so the wall is ready for paint.
Wallpaper turns up all over Santa Rosa: flowered papers and borders in kitchens and baths from the 1980s and 1990s, grasscloth in mid-century living rooms, and several layers on the plaster of the oldest houses. How hard it is to take down depends less on the paper than on what is behind it. Paper hung over a primed or painted wall releases cleanly. Paper pasted straight onto bare drywall grips the facing of the board and takes patience.
We test a corner first to learn how the paper behaves. Floors are covered and outlets protected. The top layer is peeled dry where possible, then the backing and paste are soaked with a removal solution or steam and scraped off with wide blades. Every trace of paste is washed away, since paint laid over paste will crackle. Torn drywall facing is sealed with a primer made for that problem, gouges are filled and, where the wall is rough, a thin skim coat levels it.
When we finish, the wall is primed and ready for paint, or we can paint it as part of the same job. A typical room takes a day or more for removal and repair, depending on layers and wall condition, and we give you a firmer idea after the test patch. Sometimes paper is bonded so tightly that removing it would wreck the wall. In that case we explain the option of sealing and skim coating over it.
Wallpaper removal in Santa Rosa: common questions
Can you just paint over my wallpaper?
We advise against it in most rooms. Seams and texture show through, and moisture in the paint can lift the edges later. Sealing and painting over paper is a fallback only when removal would badly damage the wall.
How long does it take to strip one room?
Often a day for removal, plus time for repairs and primer to dry. Several layers, paper on unprimed drywall, or old plaster underneath can add to that. The test patch at the start gives the best answer.
Will my walls be smooth after the paper is gone?
They will be once repairs are done. Bare walls usually show some tears, gouges and old patches. We fill and sand those, skim coat where needed and prime, so paint goes on a sound, even surface.
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.