Open seams after wallpapering may be caused by a variety of factors. These prevention tips for wall murals and wallpaper provide a solution for the most common causes and guarantee a beautiful end result.
#1 Prepare the surface
Before you start wallpapering, make sure the surface is smooth, dry and dust-free. Remove old wallpaper, paint and other irregularities that can prevent the adhesive from adhering properly. When the surface is too absorbent or not absorbent at all, this can lead to open seams. If necessary, apply a primer first. For a good adherence it is also essential that your walls are clean and completely dry. Clean the surface with water and a disinfectant and wait until the wall is completely dry before applying wallpaper.
#2 Don’t stretch the wallpaper
Be careful not to stretch or move the strips while or after applying them to the wall. During the drying process the wallpaper will return to its original shape, so stretching it when soaked will result in open seams. Is the strip not applied correctly? Carefully remove and put it back up again, if necessary with an extra layer of glue.
#3 Use sufficient wallpaper glue
In order to prevent open seams, you should apply the wallpaper glue strip by strip. This way the glue won’t dry too fast and you can take your time to apply the wallpaper carefully. Use a roll or brush to apply the glue evenly on the wall and make sure that you spread it wide enough so there’s an overlap with the next strip. For an optimal result, the edges of the strip must be completely but not excessively covered with glue.
#4 Use the right wallpaper glue
To prevent wallpaper from shrinking during the drying process, it is essential that you use the right type of glue. Our products should be applied with an adhesive for non-woven wallpaper. We advise you to invest in branded products instead of cheap ones. The extra costs will be reflected in the result. After extensive testing with different types of non-woven wallpaper glue, we recommend “Perfax Roll-on Magic”.
#5 Avoid temperature fluctuations
Temperature fluctuations can cause open seams. Therefore, we advise you to store your wallpaper in the room that you wish to wallpaper, preferably 48 hours in advance. Avoid high temperatures or draught during the wallpapering and drying process. A room temperature of 18 degrees is perfect for wallpapering. Take into account heat sources like sunlight, lamps, stoves or other heating devices.
#6 Paint the surface in a matching colour
Any seams will be less visible if the colour of the surface matches the wallpaper’s colour scheme. Beforehand, you can therefore apply a thin layer of paint where the strips meet. Note that the strips are 48 cm wide.
Choosing wallpaper:
> Wall murals> Washable wall murals
> Peel and stick wall murals
> Wallpaper murals
> Washable Wallpaper Murals
> Own photo on wall murals