Tips on Fixing Peeling Wallpaper

When you get beautiful wallpaper installed in your home, the last thing you want is to see it peeling. With improper, or even proper, application you may end up with just that. So what can you do if the wallpaper that you love begins to peel away from the wall?

To start, you need to act fast. If your wallpaper has just begun to peel then nipping it in the bud is the best course of action. The longer you leave it, the more it will peel, especially if it has begun to peel at the top where gravity can help it peel back more. Get ahead of the problem as much as you can to help protect your wallpaper.

So what do you do?

First, you need to look over everything. Often, the reason that your wallpaper is peeling is that the adhesive used was not of good quality. The seams around the edges of the room are the most common area for peeling to start. However, you will want to check for bubbles as well. These appear in the middle of a piece of wallpaper and indicate that the wallpaper adhesive has failed. While more challenging to fix than a peeling edge it is entirely possible.

Second, you need to peel the edges that have lifted away back. Peel them all the way until you meet the area that is still firmly attached. You will need repair glue and a paintbrush to paint a thin layer of repair glue onto the wallpaper at the seam in which it has begun to come away from the wall. Use a very thin amount of glue to avoid air bubbles. Press the wallpaper up against the wall and press down firmly. Repeat this process until the wallpaper is reattached and then wipe any adhesive away that has escaped from under the wallpaper.

Third, once you have reattached the wallpaper, you will want to smooth it out with a damp sponge. This wets the wallpaper so that you can use a seam rolled and remove any air bubbles that may have formed underneath. Painters tape can then be applied to the seams and left for 24 hours to make sure that everything has a chance to dry without peeling back again.

Fourth, if you have wallpaper peeling from the middle and a bubble has formed, then you may need to strip the entire piece away from the wall and put up a new piece instead. Go over each of the bubbles to see if they are actual air bubbles or if they are filled with debris. If you do not want to take the wallpaper down, then you can make an X with an Exacto knife. Peel back the cuts and then apply adhesive, smooth it over with a damp sponge and wipe away excess the same way you would with wallpaper peeling from the edges.

If you are looking for beautiful wallpaper for your home, then look no further than Monarch Paints. Check out our Bloor West Village location in Toronto to browse through our extensive wallpaper collection.