You finally got your wallpaper up. The pattern is just what you envisioned, the color ties the whole room together, and everything looked smooth as glass, at first. But now, months later, you're noticing something strange.
Small bubbles. Some just look like air pockets, while others seem to be getting bigger by the week. You press them down, hoping they'll flatten out, but the next day, they pop right back up.
It's frustrating, and honestly, it can feel a little defeating. You put time, money, and effort into your space, so why is this happening now? And more importantly, how do you fix it without making it worse?
At Brush & Roll Painting, we've been helping homeowners in Omaha since 1996. And while we’re known for our interior painting, cabinet refinishing, and trim work, we’ve also worked on plenty of wallpaper projects, especially the part that comes after something went wrong. From bubbling and peeling to full-on reinstallation, we’ve seen firsthand how even a seemingly flawless install can run into issues months down the road.
Wallpaper bubbling isn’t always caused by one mistake. Sometimes, it’s the result of poor prep work. Other times, it’s related to humidity, improper adhesive, or even the wallpaper material itself. The good news is that you’re not stuck. There are clear reasons why this happens, and even better ways to fix it, especially if you’re considering calling in a professional to help.
In this article, we’ll explain:
Even the most careful install can sometimes leave tiny air pockets. They may not be noticeable at first, especially if the wallpaper was recently smoothed out and hasn’t experienced much temperature change. But once your room warms up, whether from sun exposure or running the heat in winter, those pockets can expand and start to show up as visible bubbles.
Omaha gets its fair share of seasonal swings, and older homes especially can have areas where moisture sneaks in. If there’s even a bit of dampness trapped under the wallpaper, or if the wall wasn’t fully dry when it was applied, it can cause the adhesive to loosen and create bubbles.
Bathrooms and kitchens are the usual suspects, but we’ve even seen bubbling in bedrooms with poorly insulated exterior walls.
If a paste-style adhesive was used, it’s possible the mix was too thin or too thick, which can affect how well the wallpaper bonds to the surface. Some installers use a pre-pasted wallpaper, thinking it’s easier, but sometimes that built-in adhesive isn’t enough, especially on textured walls.
This is a prep step that gets skipped way more than you’d think. If there’s any dust, debris, or grease on the wall, it creates a barrier between the wallpaper and the surface. Over time, that bond fails and causes the wallpaper to bubble or even peel.
The answer depends on the type of wallpaper and the size or severity of the bubbling. Here’s a breakdown of your options.
Small bubbles:
You can try using a wallpaper syringe to inject adhesive behind the bubble. Then press it down gently using a wallpaper smoothing tool or a plastic card. Wipe away any excess glue and place a book or flat object over it while it dries.
Larger bubbles or loose seams:
These usually require a bit more glue and patience. In some cases, the wallpaper may need to be carefully lifted and reapplied. But be warned, this can sometimes stretch or tear the wallpaper if it wasn’t designed to be repositioned.
This product is often marketed as renter-friendly and removable, but it doesn’t always cooperate when the adhesive wears out or the wall texture doesn’t allow for a full bond.
Small bubbles:
Gently peel the wallpaper back and reapply slowly, smoothing from the center outward. Use a hair dryer on a low setting to warm the adhesive as you go. This can soften the glue just enough to help it stick better.
Persistent bubbles that keep coming back:
At this point, the adhesive may have failed. You might need to replace the strip or panel entirely. Peel-and-stick wallpaper usually doesn’t respond well to added glue, so it’s kind of a one-shot deal.
While a small bubble or two isn’t cause for panic, sometimes the bubbling points to a larger issue, especially if the problem is widespread or keeps returning.
Here are a few signs that it might be time to call in a professional:
At that point, the problem might not just be the wallpaper. It could be how it was installed or what’s happening behind the wall. A professional painter can assess the damage, help you decide whether a repair is worth it, and recommend whether reinstallation, or even painting instead, is the smarter long-term fix.
Absolutely. Whether you're planning a reinstallation or considering wallpaper for the first time, here's how to avoid bubbling the next time around.
That means cleaning them, patching any dings or rough spots, sanding them smooth, and priming with the right basecoat. If you’re going over a textured wall, consider skim coating it first. Skipping this step is one of the top causes of bubbling.
Even pre-pasted wallpapers sometimes need extra paste depending on the wall surface. And if you're applying wallpaper in a high-humidity room, make sure the adhesive is designed to handle that environment.
Just like flooring, wallpaper needs time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the room it's going in. Let it sit in the space for at least 24 hours before installation.
These products vary a lot in terms of durability and adhesive strength. If you’re using peel-and-stick in a room that gets a lot of temperature changes, like an entryway or laundry room, you might be better off with traditional wallpaper and paste.
If you’re asking, “How do I get bubbles out of wallpaper?” or “Why is my wallpaper bubbling months later?”, you’re not alone. This is something we’ve seen again and again in homes across Omaha.
The good news is that bubbling doesn’t always mean you need to redo everything. Sometimes, it’s fixable with a little adhesive and patience. Other times, it’s a sign of something deeper, like a moisture issue or skipped prep work. Either way, you’re not stuck. You have options, and knowing what caused the bubbling can help you decide how to fix it and whether it’s time to hire a professional.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve worked with hundreds of homeowners dealing with problems just like this. And while we won’t tell you what to do, we’ll always help you figure out what’s really going on with your walls.
If you’ve got bubbling wallpaper or just want help deciding what your next step should be, click the button below to get a quote.
If you are feeling overwhelmed about fixing wallpaper issues or thinking about hiring a professional for your next project, we can help make the process easier. We put together a free guide to hiring a painter that walks you through what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to make sure you are getting the right help for your home. Click below to get your copy and feel more confident about your next steps.