Many Modesto homes from the 1970s through the 1990s still have wallpaper or borders in kitchens, bathrooms and dining rooms. Some of it was hung straight onto unprimed drywall, which makes removal slow. We take the paper and paste off, repair the wall surface, prime and leave it ready for paint.
Wallpaper and borders are still on the walls of many Modesto homes built from the 1970s through the 1990s, mostly in kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms and entries. Some of it comes off in clean sheets. A lot of it does not, because it was hung straight onto unprimed drywall. Then the paper takes the face of the drywall with it, and the wall needs repair before it can be painted.
We test a corner first to see how the paper was hung. The top layer is peeled or scored, the backing and paste are soaked and scraped, and the wall is washed until the paste is gone. Paste left on a wall makes new paint crack and craze. Floors and outlets are protected because the job is wet. The valley's dry air helps here, since walls dry quickly afterwards in most seasons.
After removal comes repair. Torn drywall paper is sealed with a primer made for it, gouges are filled and, where the wall is rough, a thin skim coat is applied and sanded. Most homes here have textured walls, so the texture is matched before the wall is primed and painted. If you are not sure whether to remove the paper or paint over it, we will tell you what the walls allow.
Wallpaper removal in Modesto: common questions
Can you just paint over my wallpaper?
Sometimes, if it is stuck down tight everywhere. It must be sealed with an oil-based primer and the seams filled, and the pattern can still show. Removal gives a better wall. We test a corner and tell you which is realistic.
Will my walls be damaged?
Some damage is common where paper was hung on unprimed drywall. We allow for it. Torn areas are sealed, filled and skimmed, and the wall is textured to match before paint.
How long does wallpaper removal take?
It depends on the paper and the wall under it. One room of strippable paper can come off in a few hours. Paper bonded to bare drywall, plus the repairs, can take a day or two per room. We give you an estimate after testing.
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.