Even the most carefully hung wallpaper can develop the occasional bubble or lifting edge — and with peel-and-stick wallpaper, both are easy to fix. This guide covers the causes of wallpaper bubbles and peeling edges, and the simple fixes for each.
Wallpaper Bubbles
Why Bubbles Happen
Bubbles in peel-and-stick wallpaper are almost always caused by one of three things:
- Air trapped during installation: The most common cause — air that wasn't smoothed out during application.
- Dust or debris on the wall: A particle of dust or debris between the wallpaper and the wall creates a small bubble.
- Moisture in the wall: Moisture in the wall surface can cause bubbles to develop after installation.
Fixing Bubbles During Installation
If you notice a bubble during installation, fix it immediately — it's much easier to fix while the wallpaper is fresh:
- Lift the wallpaper back to a point just beyond the bubble.
- Smooth the wall surface with a damp cloth if there's any debris.
- Re-apply the wallpaper, smoothing firmly from the centre outward with your smoothing tool.
Fixing Bubbles After Installation
For small bubbles that develop after installation:
- Try smoothing first: For very small bubbles, press firmly with your smoothing tool from the centre of the bubble outward. This sometimes resolves small air pockets.
- Lift and re-apply: For persistent bubbles, carefully lift the wallpaper from the nearest edge back to the bubble. Smooth the wall surface, then re-apply the wallpaper, smoothing firmly as you go.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper can be lifted and re-applied multiple times during the first few days after installation. After the adhesive has fully set (typically 72 hours), re-lifting becomes more difficult.
Peeling Edges
Why Edges Peel
Peeling edges are most commonly caused by:
- Insufficient wall preparation: Dust, grease, or moisture on the wall surface reduces adhesion at the edges.
- Freshly painted walls: Paint that hasn't fully cured (less than 30 days) can cause edges to lift.
- High humidity: Bathrooms and kitchens with high humidity can cause edges to lift over time.
- Edges not pressed firmly enough during installation: Edges need to be pressed firmly with a smoothing tool during installation.
Fixing Peeling Edges
Method 1: Press and hold
For edges that have just started to lift, clean the wall surface beneath the lifted edge with a damp cloth and allow to dry. Press the edge firmly back to the wall with your smoothing tool and hold for 30–60 seconds.
Method 2: Seam repair adhesive
For edges that won't stay down with pressing alone, apply a small amount of wallpaper seam repair adhesive (available from hardware stores) to the wall surface beneath the lifted edge. Press firmly and allow to dry completely before touching.
Method 3: Re-hang the panel
For a panel with extensively peeling edges, the best solution is to remove and re-hang it. Clean the wall surface thoroughly, allow to dry completely, and re-apply. If the panel's adhesive has been compromised, order a replacement panel from the same roll.
Preventing Bubbles and Peeling Edges
- Prepare the wall thoroughly: Clean the wall with a damp cloth and allow to dry completely before applying. See our Wall Preparation guide.
- Wait 30 days after painting: Never apply wallpaper to freshly painted walls. Wait at least 30 days for the paint to fully cure.
- Smooth firmly during installation: Use your smoothing tool to press the wallpaper firmly to the wall during installation, working from the centre outward to push out any air.
- Press edges extra firmly: Pay particular attention to edges and joins during installation — press them firmly with your smoothing tool.
- Check after 24 hours: Check the wallpaper 24 hours after installation and press any lifting edges firmly.
When to Replace a Panel
If a panel has been lifted and re-applied multiple times, or if the adhesive has been significantly compromised, replacement is the best option. Order a replacement roll from the same batch if possible to ensure a perfect colour match. See our Installation Guide for hanging instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will bubbles disappear on their own?
Very small air bubbles sometimes resolve themselves within the first 24–48 hours as the adhesive settles. Larger bubbles will not resolve on their own and need to be fixed by lifting and re-applying.
Can I use a pin to pop a wallpaper bubble?
We don't recommend it for peel-and-stick wallpaper. Unlike paste wallpaper where a pin hole can be smoothed over with paste, a pin hole in peel-and-stick wallpaper is permanent. Lift and re-apply instead.
Shop Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper at Peel & Pattern
Browse our full collection and order samples. See our Complete Installation Guide for the full step-by-step process.