Solutions to Common Wallpaper Damage

Wallpaper is a fabulous material that adds color, texture, and print to any room of the home. The problem with it, however, is it can be easily damaged if it is located in a high-traffic area, or if it was not originally installed properly. Common wallpaper damage seen by daily living and wear and tear can include stains, tears, curling seams, and the appearance of air bubbles. Thankfully, there are simple ways to fix damaged wallpaper caused by many of life's unexpected accidents.

Below you'll find a list of the most common types of wallpaper damage and how to repair them with ease. For best results, know what type of wallpaper you have on your wall before scrubbing or washing the surface, as certain materials will hold up better to intense cleaning than others. Not sure what type of wallpaper you have? Read our 'Guide to Common Types of Wallpaper' for more information.

Ripped or torn wallpaper - Wallpaper, whether it's solid vinyl, vinyl coated, or made from other material, can become ripped or torn over time. Fortunately, it can be repaired with a few simple supplies, including a patch made from the original wallpaper bolt, or a remnant removed from an unused area. Learn more by reading 'How to Patch Wallpaper Damage'. We walk you step-by-step through the repair process.

Curling seams - When curled seams are left unrepaired, they will eventually lead to significant torn sections that can be difficult to fix. Fortunately, it is easy to fix damaged wallpaper that has curled. Gently lift the edge and apply a small amount of seam adhesive beneath. Then, gently flatten and smooth the seam with a plastic putty knife or seam roller. Don't have seam adhesive on hand? Try using Elmer's Glue instead.

Peeling wallpaper border - A wallpaper border that is peeling at the edges is typically a result of the surface not being primed before application. It can also be a result of a vinyl wallpaper border being applied over top of another wallpaper, without the correct glue type. To repair, use a small paintbrush to apply a bit of vinyl-to-vinyl adhesive beneath the wallpaper border. Smooth the area with a seam roller or plastic putty knife, and wash any excess glue from the surface with a damp sponge.

Removing air bubbles - When wallpaper is applied to the wall, air bubbles form beneath the surface. These air bubbles are typically smoothed out and released, but in some cases they will reform over time. Air bubbles can also be the result of excess glue that was not smoothed out during installation. To repair this common wallpaper damage, you'll need a sharp utility knife, seam adhesive, and a glue injector. (A glue injector resembles a small syringe and can be found at any home improvement store)

1. Make a small slit next to the air bubble and insert the glue injector (filled with seam adhesive) into the hole.
2. Press out a dab of adhesive and remove the injector.
3. Smooth out any air bubbles and wipe the surface clean with a damp sponge.

Stain removal - Ink, crayon, and fingerprint stains can often be removed with the use of Magic Eraser Tool. Since some wallpaper types cannot become overly wet, or will become damaged with chemical use, we recommend trying the Magic Eraser Tool before you do anything else. They're gentle, don't require heavy scrubbing, and the residue wipes away after use.

More from Jennifer Wagner:

Solutions to Common Paint Problems

How to Repair a Plaster Hole

Solutions to Common Door Lock Problems

Source:

Personal knowledge

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network