Minor Repairs to Wallpaper

Technical Procedures Disclaimer

Prior to inclusion in GSA’s library of procedures, documents are reviewed by one or more qualified preservation specialists for general consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards for rehabilitating historic buildings as understood at the time the procedure is added to the library. All specifications require project-specific editing and professional judgement regarding the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers are to serve as a general guideline and do not constitute a federal endorsement or determination that a product or method is the best or most current alternative, remains available, or is compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards. The library of procedures is intended to serve as a resource, not a substitute, for specification development by a qualified preservation professional.

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We’ve reviewed these procedures for general consistency with federal standards for rehabilitating historic buildings and provide them only as a reference. Specifications should only be applied under the guidance of a qualified preservation professional who can assess the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers serve as general guidelines and do not constitute a federal endorsement nor a determination that a product or method is the best alternative or compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards.

Minor Repairs to Wallpaper

PART 1---GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

  1. This procedure includes guidance on repairing peeling, blistered or torn wallpaper.
  2. See "General Project Guidelines" for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
    1. Safety Precautions
    2. Historic Structures Precautions
    3. Submittals
    4. Quality Assurance
    5. Delivery, Storage and Handling
    6. Project/Site Conditions
    7. Sequencing and Scheduling
    8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)
      These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).

PART 2---PRODUCTS

2.01 MATERIALS

  1. Wallpaper Paste: Consult with sales associate in wallpaper store to determine the correct paste.
  2. Clean, potable water

2.02 EQUIPMENT

  1. Clean, soft cloths
  2. Razor blade

PART 3---EXECUTION

3.01 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

  1. For Peeling Wallpaper:
    1. Carefully lift loose wallpaper. Wet with water if necessary.
    2. Apply a thin layer of wallpaper paste on the back.
    3. Press back into place by smoothing over the surface with a clean, damp cloth.
  2. For Blisters in Wallpaper:
    1. Using a sharp razor blade, make a cut across the blister. If there is a pattern, try to make the cut along a line or edge.
    2. Carefully lift edges of split blister and apply a thin later of wallpaper paste on the back.
    3. Press back in place by smoothing over the surface with a clean damp cloth.
  3. For Tears or Holes in Wallpaper:
    1. Using a scrap piece of wallpaper, tear out a wallpaper patch. Torn, irregular edges are desired, as they are less evident when put in place.
    2. Carefully apply a thin later of wallpaper paste on the back of the patch .
    3. Position patch to match wallpaper and press in place by smoothing over the surface with a clean damp cloth.