If your Rhode Island home still has wallpaper from a previous owner or a previous decade, you've probably thought about pulling it down and starting fresh. Maybe you've even tugged at a loose corner to see what's underneath.
Wallpaper removal in Rhode Island homes is rarely as simple as peeling and pulling, though. The age of the wall underneath, the type of adhesive, and how many layers are hiding beneath the surface all affect what the job actually looks like. Here's what's really involved so you know what to expect before you decide on your next step.
This is the first question most homeowners ask, and it makes sense. Painting over wallpaper sounds faster and easier. But the painting over wallpaper risks usually outweigh the shortcut.
If the paper has any bubbling, lifting edges, or seams that have started to separate, paint makes those flaws more visible, not less. Moisture from the paint itself can reactivate old adhesive and cause the paper to blister or peel after the new coat dries. Even wallpaper that looks smooth today can develop problems months later once trapped moisture and shifting adhesive take their toll.
There are rare cases where painting over wallpaper is technically possible. If the paper is vinyl-coated, fully bonded with no lifting, and in solid condition, a coat of primer and paint may hold. But those conditions are uncommon in older homes. Homes built before the 1980s, which includes much of the housing stock on Aquidneck Island and across Newport County, are especially likely to have paper that won't hold paint reliably. If you want a result that lasts, the better path is to remove wallpaper before painting and start with a clean, stable surface that accepts primer the way it's supposed to.
Wallpaper removal is a multi-step process, and each step matters for the final result.
First, the surface is scored. A scoring tool perforates the paper so that a stripping agent or steam can penetrate behind it and soften the adhesive. Without proper scoring, the liquid sits on top and the paper won't release.
Next comes the stripping agent or steamer. A warm water and stripping agent mixture is applied to the scored wallpaper and allowed to soak. On stubborn layers, a steamer directs heat and moisture directly into the adhesive. Patience here matters. Rushing this step leads to torn paper, leftover adhesive, and walls that are harder to prep afterward.
Once the paper softens, it peels away in sections. In the best scenario, full sheets pull off cleanly. In reality, most walls give you a mix of clean pulls and patches that need additional soaking and scraping.
After the paper is off, adhesive residue still clings to the surface and must be washed and scraped until the wall is clean. Leaving residue behind means primer and paint won't adhere properly.
Many homes across Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth were built long before drywall became standard. The walls behind the wallpaper are often plaster over lath, not the gypsum board found in newer construction.
Wallpaper on plaster walls behaves differently during removal. Plaster is harder and less forgiving than drywall. It doesn't absorb moisture the same way, so stripping agents take longer to soften the adhesive. Plaster can also crack or chip if scraped too aggressively, which makes technique just as important as the products you're using.
Older homes often have multiple layers of wallpaper stacked on top of each other, each with its own adhesive. In historic neighborhoods across Aquidneck Island, it's not unusual to find three or four layers of paper dating back decades. Removing them without damaging the plaster underneath requires patience, the right tools, and experience with older wall surfaces. That's why any wallpaper removal service Aquidneck Island homeowners hire should have real experience with plaster and the extra care it demands.
The wall underneath is rarely paint-ready. Once the paper comes off, expect the surface to need work before any primer goes on.
Common issues include adhesive residue that didn't come off during stripping, small gouges from scraping, hairline cracks in plaster, and spots where the paper took a thin layer of the wall surface with it. On plaster walls, you might also find soft areas or places where the plaster has started to separate from the lath behind it.
These problems aren't caused by the removal. They were already there, hidden behind the paper. Wallpaper often masks underlying wall damage for years, and removing it is the first time homeowners see what's really going on. Each of these issues needs to be addressed before paint goes on, because the surface won't hold primer evenly otherwise. That's exactly why wall prep after wallpaper removal is the step that separates a lasting paint job from one that shows every flaw within months.
Once the paper is off and the wall is exposed, the real prep work begins. This means washing the surface to remove all remaining adhesive, patching cracks and gouges, skim-coating damaged areas to create a uniform texture, and sanding everything smooth before primer is applied.
Skim-coating is often the most time-intensive part of this stage, but it makes all the difference in the final result. A thin layer of joint compound is spread across the repaired areas, feathered into the surrounding wall, and sanded smooth once dry. On older plaster walls, it may take two or three passes to build a surface that's truly even. Skipping this step or rushing it means imperfections show through the finished paint.
The paint you choose for a freshly prepped wall matters. A premium product like Benjamin Moore delivers excellent adhesion, lasting color, and a durable finish that performs well on repaired surfaces. Your estimator can walk through sheen and product options during the estimate process.
At Bruno Painting, wallpaper removal and the wall prep that follows are part of the full interior painting process. The Bruno Painting team handles every step: stripping, washing, patching, priming, and painting. With over 20 years serving homes across Aquidneck Island and throughout Rhode Island, our team knows what older walls need and how to get them ready for a finish that holds up year after year.
When walls are properly prepared, the difference shows. Colors come through true and even, the surface is smooth to the touch, and you won't see the ghosts of old seams or adhesive lines under the paint.
"With Bruno Painting, everything was done from start to finish with no surprises. It's a well-oiled machine." — Nick & Carla Souza, Middletown, RI (Video Testimonial)
Wallpaper removal in Rhode Island homes doesn't have to be a project you keep putting off. For the kind of wallpaper removal Rhode Island homeowners can count on, it starts with a team that knows older walls inside and out. When the Bruno Painting team handles the work, the process covers everything from stripping and wall repair to a finished paint job you'll be proud of. Schedule your free in-home estimate today or call us at 401.662.0057.
