Problems: Whilst You're Working

Creasing

Generally caused by not hanging paper vertically or taking too much around a corner. For a corner crease, cut along the crease, apply more paste, and brush back into place. If the repair is too noticeable, hang a new length. If you are getting creases in straightforward lengths then the paper is not being hung vertically, so you need to start again.

Paper Doesn't Slide

It is important that the paper can be easily slid across the wall as the pattern is being matched. If it can't, the cause may be:

• the paste has been mixed too watery - remix the paste correctly and rehang the lengths.
• the paste being absorbed into the wall because it was not sized (a sealer was not applied) in preparation - size the wall then continue to paper.

Pattern Fails to Match

If the pattern can be matched at the top of the wall but gradually falls out of alignment halfway down, then the paper has stretched irregularly. This can be caused by:

• over-rigorous brushing when hanging
• allowing lengths of paper to soak on the pasting table for different lengths of time
• letting the bottom half of a length drop down when being hung - particularly longer lengths in stairwells.

If this happens, match the pattern at eye level, where it will be most noticeable, or hang a new length.

With some patterns you can inadvertently hang the whole lot or even a single length upside down. Study any pattern carefully and, before pasting a length, write the word 'TOP' in pencil on the relevant edge on the reverse of the paper.

Lifting Seams

Not enough paste was applied along the edges. Raise the seam carefully with a sharp scraper or filling knife, apply paste, and smooth down. Run a seam roller down the edge (though not on a raised pattern). If you've put on too much paste and want to take some off, use a sponge.

Paper Lifts in Large Amounts

Caused by either:

• the paste being too watery
• not allowing the paper to soak for long enough
• failure to size (apply sealant to) a porous wall
• hanging the paper over gloss paint or distemper (for instance, whitewash)
• dampness or condensation in the wall.

A small area could be remedied by repasting correctly. Otherwise, stripping the paper and rehanging - or in the case of gloss or distemper, removing the old surface - is the only answer.