Wallpaper in Fargo homes is found on old plaster in the core neighborhoods and on drywall in houses from the 1980s and 1990s. Plaster usually lets go of it cleanly. Unprimed drywall does not. We remove the paper and the glue, repair and seal the wall, and leave it ready for paint.
Wallpaper turns up in two kinds of Fargo home. In the older core neighborhoods it sits on plaster, sometimes in several layers and sometimes under paint. In houses from the 1980s and 1990s it is on drywall, often in kitchens, baths and dining rooms, with a border near the ceiling. The wall behind makes all the difference. Hard plaster gives the paper up fairly easily. Drywall that was never primed holds on, and its paper face can tear away with the wallpaper.
We start with a test patch in a corner to learn how the paper behaves. Then the face is peeled or scored, the backing is wetted, and the paper is eased off with wide blades. The paste left behind is washed off completely, because paint over old glue cracks and flakes. Torn drywall paper is sealed so it does not bubble. Gouges are filled, the wall is skimmed where needed and sanded, and a primer goes on before any color is applied.
Be ready for surprises, since nobody knows what is under wallpaper until it is off. We have a plan for cracked plaster, old repairs and unprimed board, and we tell you what we find before we carry on. The job is damp and messy, so floors and outlets are covered. In homes built before 1978 there may be old paint beneath the paper, and sanding it brings the federal lead-safe rule into play. Wallpaper removal is indoor work for any month.
Wallpaper removal in Fargo: common questions
Can you just paint over my wallpaper?
It is possible, but we rarely advise it. Seams and texture show through, and moisture from the paint can lift the paper. Removing it gives a better wall.
How do I know if my wallpaper will come off easily?
Lift a corner in a hidden spot. If it peels in a sheet and the wall behind is hard and painted, that is a good sign. We test it at the estimate.
What happens if the drywall tears?
We seal the torn paper face, skim it smooth with compound, sand and prime. The finished wall is flat and ready for 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.