BACKMAR 12, 2026
Noticing a bubble in your freshly hung or long-standing wallpaper can be incredibly frustrating. It is easy to assume that the entire wall needs to be stripped and redone, but in most cases, that isn't true.
Looking for more guidance? Take a look at our Repairs overview.
Wallpaper bubbles are a very common part of homeownership. They typically happen when a small pocket of air gets trapped during installation, when temperature changes cause the material to expand, or when the adhesive slightly releases from the wall. Unless the bubble is caused by an active water leak, you can usually repair it yourself in just a few minutes with a few simple tools.
Here is how to figure out what is causing your wallpaper to bubble and the best way to get your wall looking smooth again.
Before you grab any tools, take a close look at the affected area. The size, quantity, and surrounding conditions of the bubbles will tell you exactly what you are dealing with:
Your repair method depends entirely on the type of wallpaper you have and the condition of the wall underneath.
Identify your wallpaper type Gently lift a loose corner or edge near a seam with a putty knife. If the adhesive is stuck to the back of the paper, it is peel-and-stick. If the adhesive is left behind on the wall, it is traditional paste-applied wallpaper. You can safely log this information in your Casa app so you remember exactly what materials were used in each room for future maintenance.
Check for moisture Feel the wall with the back of your hand. Is it damp, cold, or soft? Do you see any dark spots or mold? If the answer is yes, stop immediately. You need to investigate the nearest plumbing fixtures, pipes, or the roof directly above for leaks. Repairing the wallpaper over a wet wall will trap the moisture and lead to much bigger damage. If you suspect an active leak, it is time to call a contractor or licensed plumber.
If the wall is completely dry, you are ready to fix the bubbles.
If you have a few small, dry bubbles (smaller than the palm of your hand), you can easily handle the repair.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is designed to be forgiving. For a single small bubble:
Traditional wallpaper requires a little extra adhesive to fix a bubble, as the original paste has likely dried out or detached.
If your peel-and-stick wallpaper has a large cluster of bubbles, or if it is over three years old and starting to fail, the pinhole trick might not be enough. In this case, you can often gently peel the section back until you are past the outermost bubble, wipe the exposed wall to remove dust, and re-smooth the paper downward using your plastic smoothing tool.
For traditional paste wallpaper, fixing widespread bubbling requires stripping the affected section, scraping the old adhesive, washing and sanding the wall, applying primer, and hanging a new strip. This involves applying fresh paste to the back of the paper and "booking" it (folding the glued ends together for a few minutes to activate the adhesive) before placing it on the wall.
Removing and reinstalling traditional wallpaper is a messy, moderate-to-hard DIY project. If you are not comfortable matching patterns or dealing with messy adhesives, this is a reasonable time to stop.
While small bubbles are a quick DIY fix, you should bring in a professional if:
Fixing wallpaper bubbles is generally very inexpensive if you do it yourself.
Bubbling wallpaper is rarely a structural emergency. By identifying whether you have peel-and-stick or paste-applied paper, you can quickly address trapped air using a simple pinhole or a small injection of adhesive. As long as the wall underneath is dry, you can smooth things out and get back to enjoying your space in under an hour.
For more practical guides on maintaining your home’s interior, download the Casa app. Casa helps you track your home's materials, organize your maintenance tasks, and provides clear, step-by-step guidance whenever you need it.
