Are Bubbles and Opening Seams Normal in Newly Hung Wallpaper?

Small bubbles seen straight after hanging mostly disappear by themselves as the paste dries. Bubbles that are still there once the wall has dried completely, and seams that open, are not normal; they should be reported to the installer and put right.

Which is normal and which is not?

• Small, soft bubbles on the first day: mostly normal; the surface tightens as the moisture leaves.
• A bubble that remains after drying: a defect; there is an area without paste underneath.
• A seam that opens and curls: a defect.
• A pattern that slips: a defect; the strip was not hung to the pattern match.
• Difference in shade between strips: a different batch, or the reverse-hang rule was not followed.

The causes

• Too little paste, or paste that dried before the paper was hung
• An unprimed wall that absorbs the paste quickly
• Not keeping to the soaking time on paper-backed products
• Drying the room quickly with heating, air conditioning or a draught

What to do in the first days

1. Keep the windows closed and do not try to dry the room with a heater.
2. Do not prick a bubble or press and rub a seam.
3. Photograph the defect and report it to the installer.

How is it put right?

An open seam is stuck back with seam adhesive. Paste is fed into a lasting bubble through a fine cut. A strip that cannot be put right is replaced, which is why a spare roll is kept.

Is it covered by the guarantee?

Defects caused by workmanship fall under the workmanship guarantee. Erdağ Yapı hands over its work with a written workmanship guarantee; details are on our wallpaper installation page.