How to Remove Wallpaper in Denver — DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Professional wallpaper removal in Denver costs $1.50–$3 per square foot and takes 1–3 days for an average room. DIY removal risks tearing the drywall paper facing, which is especially dangerous on walls that were never primed before papering. Denver’s low humidity causes adhesives to bond hard over time, making dry stripping difficult. If your drywall was not primed before original installation, hire a professional to avoid costly drywall damage.

The Two Main Wallpaper Removal Methods

Dry stripping works when wallpaper was properly installed over primed drywall or plaster. You score the paper, peel from a seam, and the top layer comes off in strips. The backing then soaks off with warm water or removal solution. Wet removal (steam or chemical) is used when dry stripping fails. A wallpaper steamer or garden sprayer filled with removal solution softens the adhesive, then the paper is scraped off section by section. Steam is more aggressive and effective on stubborn adhesive but requires more care around electrical outlets and trim.

Why Denver’s Low Humidity Makes Removal Harder

In humid climates, residual moisture in walls slowly weakens wallpaper adhesive over the years, making old paper easier to remove. Denver is the opposite — our 14–17 percent humidity means adhesives harden and bond extremely well over time. Paper hung in the 1980s or 1990s may feel almost fused to the wall. Denver wallpaper removal projects often take longer than equivalent projects in wetter climates. We typically budget extra time for homes where the paper is more than 15 years old, as the process requires more soaking, more careful scraping, and more patience.

DIY Wallpaper Removal: Step by Step

If you decide to DIY, here is the correct approach. First, protect floors with drop cloths and remove all outlet covers. Score the wallpaper with a scoring tool — do not press hard on drywall. Mix DIF or Zinsser Wallpaper Remover with hot water per instructions. Apply generously with a sponge, let soak for 5 minutes, then scrape gently with a wide plastic scraper. Work in small sections. After all paper is removed, wash walls with clean warm water to remove adhesive residue. Let dry completely — 24–48 hours — before any further work.

The Biggest DIY Risk: Drywall Damage

The number one DIY mistake is damaging the drywall paper facing. Drywall is a plaster core sandwiched between paper facing layers. If wallpaper was installed without priming first — extremely common in pre-1990 homes — the adhesive bonded directly to the drywall paper. Removing the wallpaper then tears the drywall facing, leaving gouges and uneven surfaces that are very expensive to repair. If you see any fuzzy texture when you start dry stripping, stop immediately and call a professional. Continuing will likely require skim coating the entire room, adding $300–$600 to your project.

Professional Wallpaper Removal: What to Expect

Professional removers assess wall type and adhesive condition before starting. They have commercial-grade steamers and removal solutions that work faster and more effectively than consumer products. Most importantly, they know when to slow down and when to call in a skim coat specialist to repair damage without making it worse. A professional removal of a standard bedroom takes 4–8 hours. The crew protects floors, removes outlet plates, handles waste disposal, and leaves walls ready for assessment. After removal, we tell you honestly what wall prep is needed before new wallpaper or paint goes up.

After Removal: Wall Prep and What Comes Next

Once wallpaper is off, walls always need work before anything new goes up. At minimum, they need washing (to remove adhesive residue), drying, and a coat of PVA primer. Most walls need some skim coating to fill scoring marks, scraper gouges, and minor paper facing damage. Heavily damaged walls may need full skim coating or drywall repair. Budget $150–$400 for wall prep after removal in most Denver rooms. Skipping wall prep before new wallpaper or paint guarantees visible imperfections in the finished result.