Repairing wallpaper

Summary: Learn how to make wallpaper repairs, repair peeling wallpaper, repair torn wallpaper, remove bubbles in wallpaper, remove creases in wallpaper, repair peeling seams in wallpaper, repair gaps between wallpaper joins, repair corner edges of lining wallpaper and gaps in lining wallpaper.

Peeling paper

The problem of peeling wallpaper generally occurs where it meets the skirting board.

  • Peel back the section of paper and apply paste or PVA to the wall using a fitch.
  • Smooth the paper back in position with a damp sponge.
  • Flatten the seam with a seam roller.
  • Wipe away any excess paste with the sponge.
  • After the adhesive has dried, apply a silicone sealant along the edge where the paper meets the skirting board.

Torn paper

If you get a tear in the wallpaper it is easily repaired.

  • Taking care not to tear the paper further, peel back the torn section.
  • Using a fitch apply wallpaper paste or PVA to the section of exposed wall without getting it onto the surrounding paper.
  • Smooth the torn flap of paper back in position with a damp sponge.

Bubbles

Bubbles in the wallpaper are usually caused by poor application. If there are lots of  bubbles it may be best to replace the section of paper. But if you only have one or a few they can be removed using the following method:

  • Use a scalpel or craft knife to make two cuts forming a cross over the bubble.
  • Peel back the four flaps of paper produced by the cuts and apply wallpaper paste or PVA to the wall using a fitch.

Smooth the flaps of paper back down with a sponge, wiping away any excess paste.

Creases

Treat small creases in the same way as you would bubbles.

To prevent uneven walls creasing the paper, create a smooth surface by applying a skimming coat plaster to the wall before papering.

Peeling seams

Peeling seams are generally caused through the paper not being applied properly, although the problem can also result from overlapping.

  • Taking care not to damage the paper, slide the blade of a craft knife under the paper and peel it back enough to apply adhesive to the wall beneath it.
  • A small amount of wallpaper paste should be applied to the wall under the paper taking great care not to get it on the surrounding wallpaper.
  • Flatten the seam edges together with a seam roller.
  • Wipe away any excess paste with a damp sponge.

Use a clean, dry cloth to dry the seam. Work in one direction so as not to lift the edge of the paper.

Gaps between wallpaper joins

Gaps between two sections of wallpaper can be easily disguised by painting the area of wall where the join will occur. This tip is particularly useful if you are papering very uneven walls.

  • Measure where the join will occur and mark a vertical line down the wall from the ceiling to the skirting board.
  • Paint down the line about the width of a paintbrush using paint that is similar in colour to the wallpaper you are using.
  • After the paint has dried, hang the first section of wallpaper.
  • Then hang the second section of wallpaper. If there is a gap at the join it will not be noticeable, as the paint will disguise it.

Corner edges of lining paper

If the sections of lining paper should meet exactly in a corner the following tip will achieve a superior finish.

  • Using a sealant dispenser run a uniform thin bead of caulk down the junction where the two sections of paper meet.
  • Smooth away any ridges in the caulk immediately with a wet finger.

Use a damp sponge to ensure the caulk has a smooth finish.

Gaps in lining paper

The problem of gaps between sections of lining paper can easily be remedied with filler or ready-mixed fine surface filler.

  • Using a filling knife apply a thin layer of filler along the length of the gap.
  • When the filler has dried use a sanding block with a fine grade sandpaper to smooth any ridges.

Apply size to the filler before hanging the wallpaper.

Tools needed

  • Seam roller
  • Sponge
  • Craft knife
  • Fitch
  • Sealant dispenser
  • Filling knife
  • Sanding block

Materials needed

  • Wallpaper paste
  • PVA
  • Interior filler
  • Caulk OR sealant
  • Size
  • Fine grade sandpaper

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