WALLPAPER REMOVAL
in San Francisco, Palo Alto & San Jose
Professional Wallpaper Removal for a Fresh, Modern Look
Outdated or damaged wallpaper can make any room feel dark, old-fashioned, or cluttered. Peeling wallpaper, stubborn adhesives, or layers of paper can also make repainting difficult if not handled properly. That’s why homeowners across San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Jose, and the Bay Area trust Romanov Painting for safe and efficient wallpaper removal services.
With over two decades of experience, our team uses industry-approved methods and equipment to remove wallpaper without damaging your walls. Once the wallpaper is removed, we fully prepare and refinish surfaces so they are ready for painting or a fresh wall treatment. The result is a clean, smooth, and modern look that instantly updates your home.
When existing wallpaper is replaced, it can completely transform the looks of the room and give it a great new feel. For wallpaper removal there are a number of things that homeowners need to know before they ever start the project to remove the wallpaper. Whether it’s a do-it-yourself project or it’s decided that the project will take too long and the best course of action is to hire a contractor to do the job.
Whether it’s to remove the wallpaper because the wall is to be torn down or painted, or to replace old wallpaper with a fresh new look, hiring a professional contractor is generally the best choice because it will be done right and look great in the end. With years of experience we are one of the best wallpaper removal contractors in the industry.
Why Choose Romanov Painting for Wallpaper Removal?
Experienced Contractors – We’ve removed wallpaper in hundreds of homes and know how to handle different adhesives, wall types, and finishes.
Safe & Efficient Process – Our dust- and mess-controlled methods ensure a clean removal without damaging drywall or plaster.
Full Surface Preparation – We don’t just remove wallpaper—we repair, smooth, and prime walls to create the perfect base for new paint.
Time-Saving Convenience – DIY wallpaper removal can take days or even weeks. With our team, most projects are completed quickly and efficiently.
Complete Transformation – Removing old wallpaper dramatically modernizes your home, making spaces look brighter, larger, and more stylish.
What We Work On
Our wallpaper removal services cover all areas of residential properties in the Bay Area, including:
Living Rooms & Bedrooms – Outdated wallpaper is replaced with smooth, painted walls that enhance natural light and interior design.
Kitchens – Grease-stained or moisture-damaged wallpaper is removed, making walls fresh and easy to clean.
Bathrooms – We remove wallpaper that peels in humid environments and prepare surfaces for moisture-resistant coatings.
Hallways & Entryways – Eliminate worn, peeling wallpaper for a cleaner, more welcoming first impression.
Full Homes & Apartments – Whether it’s one accent wall or multiple rooms, our team handles projects of any size.
Our Wallpaper Removal Process
1. On-Site Walkthrough & Estimate
We begin with an in-home consultation to inspect wallpaper type, adhesive strength, and wall condition. You’ll receive a detailed estimate covering removal, wall repairs, and repainting options—so there are no surprises.
2. Color Consultation & Scheduling
If you’re planning to repaint after removal, our experts help you select the right colors and finishes. We then schedule the work at a time that minimizes disruption to your household.
3. Wallpaper Removal & Adhesive Stripping
Our team uses professional-grade steamers, solvents, and tools to carefully remove wallpaper and all adhesive layers. This ensures the walls are left clean and smooth without damaging drywall or plaster.
4. Wall Repair, Skim Coating & Priming
After removal, we patch cracks, repair imperfections, and skim-coat surfaces for a flawless finish. We then apply primer to lock in the surface, ensuring strong paint adhesion and long-term durability.
5. Painting & Final Cleanup
If painting is included, we apply premium, low-VOC paints for a fresh, modern look. Afterward, we perform a full cleanup—removing coverings, dust, and debris—so your home is spotless and ready to enjoy.
1. On-Site Walkthrough & Estimate
We begin with an in-home consultation to inspect wallpaper type, adhesive strength, and wall condition. You’ll receive a detailed estimate covering removal, wall repairs, and repainting options—so there are no surprises.
2. Color Consultation & Scheduling
If you’re planning to repaint after removal, our experts help you select the right colors and finishes. We then schedule the work at a time that minimizes disruption to your household.
3. Wallpaper Removal & Adhesive Stripping
Our team uses professional-grade steamers, solvents, and tools to carefully remove wallpaper and all adhesive layers. This ensures the walls are left clean and smooth without damaging drywall or plaster.
4. Wall Repair, Skim Coating & Priming
After removal, we patch cracks, repair imperfections, and skim-coat surfaces for a flawless finish. We then apply primer to lock in the surface, ensuring strong paint adhesion and long-term durability.
5. Painting & Final Cleanup
If painting is included, we apply premium, low-VOC paints for a fresh, modern look. Afterward, we perform a full cleanup—removing coverings, dust, and debris—so your home is spotless and ready to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It can be, but our team uses professional tools and dust-control methods to keep the process clean and efficient.
Improper removal can cause damage, but our professionals use safe techniques and repair any imperfections before repainting.
Most rooms can be completed in 1–2 days, depending on wallpaper type, adhesive strength, and surface condition.
Yes, but the walls must first be properly cleaned, skim-coated, and primed. We include this step in our process to ensure flawless results.
Absolutely. Removing outdated wallpaper modernizes your home, increases property value, and gives you the flexibility to update your interiors with fresh paint.
Things to Keep in Mind
Wallpaper removal techniques The first step is to determine the easiest way to remove the wallpaper because it can be an exhausting, frustrating chore, and it can damage the existing wall if it is not done correctly. There are a lot of wallpaper removal techniques for getting that old wallpaper off the walls, but there are a few issues that must be determined before deciding which technique is the most appropriate. The main reason is that it depends on the type of wall that is actually behind the wallpaper. It can be plaster, drywall, or even wood if paper has been placed over previous paneling, and there are different techniques for wallpaper removal without damaging the underlying wall.
If the wall is cooler and very smooth, and sounds solid it is generally plaster, where as if it’s not as cool and rougher, it’s probably drywall or paneling. There are several ways to remove the wallpaper on the drywall, but remember that it’s more susceptible to being damaged if the wallpaper is too wet when it’s being removed.
Soak the wallpaper and scrape it off Another method is to soak the wallpaper and scrape it off. Some wallpaper is not very porous and would have to be fairly well soaked before it can be scraped off the wall. Be sure to use warm water with the solvent that is specifically designed for wallpaper removal. For some people, a paint roller works great to evenly spread the mixture over the wallpapers, and thoroughly soak the wallpaper. One tip for this method is don’t soak more than can be scraped off in 15 minutes because if it’s drywall, the moisture can soak into the dry wall and cause damage.
Another great way of wallpaper removal is by using steam, and this is particularly useful if several layers of wallpaper exist under the outermost paper. A wallpaper steamer is a great way to get these multiple layers of wallpaper off the wall without damaging the wall. Once the wallpaper is loosened with the steam, it can be scraped away with a razor scraper.
Once the wallpaper is all removed, the residual glue and backing must also be dealt with, and the contractor also has the tools and the knowledge to know how to clean that off, leave the wall intact, and ensure the wall is ready for whatever the homeowner has planned for it.
Wallpaper removal specialists So now it’s obvious that before the wallpaper removal can be completed, there are all these steps to know what kind of wall it is, the type of wallpaper, and the best way to remove the wallpaper without damaging the underlying wall. The specialists are generally the best bet when this type of project is undertaken. Getting the specialist like us to remove the existing materials is far easier than getting out the sponges and the water bucket and trying to remove the existing wallpaper.
We not only have the proper tools to safely take the existing wallpaper off the wall without damaging it, but we also have the training to determine the type of wall behind the wallpaper, the type of wallpaper, if there are multiple layers, and the best way to remove the wallpaper. When the right tools are used, along with the correct techniques, the wallpaper can be easily removed and the wall remains intact.
In addition to executing the wallpaper removal professionally, they can also help with ideas on the best color and themes based on the room’s décor. Once the old wallpaper has been successfully removed, and residual glue and backing removed, the specialist is invaluable when it comes to assisting in determining the best course of action for the bare wall.
The wallpaper specialist can now prepare the wall for being painted or for placing new wallpaper on the clean wall. What a difference it can now be for the look of the room, and leaves a lot of room for completely updating the look of the room and turning the old room into a gorgeous new room with minimal cost.
What should you do when hiring the wallpaper removal company? The best wallpaper removal companies have great reputations because of all the prior customers that have been satisfied with their work. When contacting the specialist be sure to get several bids on the job to be done from preparing the room to cleaning the wall after the wallpaper has been removed. They should also include references in the bid, and if possible, be sure to go see some of the previous customers who were satisfied with the work.
We will provide you bids in writing as well as guarantees of our work. We will identify what steps will be taken if the underlying wall is damaged as the wallpaper is being removed, or the afterwards cleanup process. Getting the best look by wallpaper removal specialist makes for a great finished product.
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Service Areas
Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Redwood City, Woodside, San Carlos, Belmont, San Mateo, Hillsborough, Burlingame, Foster City, Castro Valley, San Ramon, Denville, Pleasenton etc
