Old Bronx apartments can hide several layers of wallpaper, sometimes painted over, on plaster walls. We test how the paper comes off before we start, strip it, wash off the paste and repair what is underneath. Badly marked walls get a skim coat so the new paint lies flat.
Wallpaper turns up in Bronx homes in predictable places: foyers and dining rooms of pre-war co-ops, bathrooms and kitchens redone decades ago, and borders along bedroom ceilings. In older apartments there may be two or three layers, with paint on top of the last one. What the paper is stuck to decides the job. Paper on sealed plaster releases well. Paper hung straight onto bare drywall grips the facing and tears it when pulled.
We begin with a test patch in a corner. If the top layer peels dry, we strip it and then soak the backing. If it does not, we score the surface lightly and wet it with warm water and a remover until the paste lets go. Scraping is done with broad knives held flat to avoid gouging. After the paper is off, every wall is washed to remove paste, because paint laid over old paste cracks and flakes.
Expect some wall repair after stripping. Paper hides cracks, old patches and uneven plaster, and none of that is known until it is off. We set a price for removal and explain how extra repair is handled before we start. Floors are covered well, since the work is wet, and power to wall outlets in the room is switched off while we soak around them. Once dry, the walls are primed with a sealer and are ready for paint.
Wallpaper removal in Bronx: common questions
Can you just paint over the wallpaper?
It is possible when the paper is tight and removal would wreck the wall, but seams and texture tend to show and moisture can lift the edges later. Removing it is the better base in most rooms.
The wallpaper was already painted. Does that change things?
Yes. Paint stops water from reaching the paste, so we score through it first and allow more soaking time. In an older building the paint layer is handled with lead safe methods.
How long before the walls can be painted?
The walls need to dry fully after washing, usually overnight or longer in humid weather. Then repairs and primer follow. For one room, plan on a few days from stripping to finish 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.