Fix lifting wallpaper seams with the right adhesive, pressing, rolling and drying properly so they stay flat.
WP-01Gather your tools and materialsYou need wallpaper overlap adhesive (not ordinary wallpaper paste), a small artist's brush or matchstick, a seam roller, a damp sponge and some low-tack masking tape. Lay down dust sheets if you're working near skirting or flooring you want to protect. Good light helps you see exactly where the seam has lifted.
1 tube · Wallpaper overlap adhesive 1 each · Small artist's brush WP-02Check how far the seam has liftedGently peel back the loose edge with your fingertip to see how far it comes away. Don't force it — old paper can tear if it's brittle. If the paper is torn, crumbling, or lifting over a large area rather than just the seam, this fix won't hold and the section needs rehanging instead.
WP-03Clean out the gapUse the damp sponge to wipe away any dust, old flaky paste or grit from behind the lifted edge and the wall underneath. Let it dry fully before you carry on — sticking adhesive over damp or dusty patches stops it bonding properly. This only takes a few minutes in a warm room.
WP-04Apply adhesive under the seamLoad a small amount of overlap adhesive onto your brush or matchstick and run it along the wall side of the lifted edge, right up to where the paper is still stuck. Less is more — too much adhesive squeezes out and can mark the paper. Cover the full length of the loose section, not just the very tip.
WP-05Press the seam back downSmooth the paper back into place with your fingers, working from the centre of the seam outwards to push out any air bubbles. Line up the pattern or edge carefully before the adhesive grabs. Wipe your fingers clean as you go so you don't transfer adhesive onto the face of the paper.
WP-06Roll the seam flatRun the seam roller gently along the repaired join to bed it down evenly. Don't press too hard on delicate or textured papers, as the roller can flatten the pattern or leave a shiny line. A light, even pass is enough.
WP-07Wipe away excess adhesiveImmediately wipe any adhesive that's squeezed out along the seam with a clean, barely damp sponge. Dried adhesive left on the surface can show as a shiny patch once the wall is painted or under certain light. Rinse the sponge often so you're not spreading adhesive further.
WP-08Tape the seam while it driesPlace a strip of low-tack masking tape lightly over the repaired seam to hold it flat while the adhesive cures. Leave it for at least 4 hours, or overnight for a stubborn seam. Avoid touching or knocking the area during this time.
WP-09Remove tape and tidy upPeel the tape off slowly and at a shallow angle so it doesn't lift the paper again. Check the seam is fully flat and stuck; if a small spot has sprung back up, repeat the adhesive step on just that section. Put dust sheets away and wipe down your tools before storing them.
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