Wallpaper and Wallcoverings - Seams Coming Open

Hi

I had wallpaper installed in my bathroom about 15 months ago. I've had to have the lady that did the work come back two times to fix seams that are coming open. Never the same seams, just new ones opening up. She had good references and belonged to a national organization (which I can't remember) and is always nice about it, but now I need to call her again and I hesitate to do so. Is there some reason the seams would open like this?

mev

what room is it in? steamy bathroom or kitchen? what wall prep did she/you do prior to hanging the paper? what type of adhesive was used? what type of paper is it?

(these are things the pro's will need to know before they can guess at what caused your failure.)

what does the lady have to say about it?

what room is it in? steamy bathroom or kitchen?

It is in my bathroom; my husband has his own. I have an exhaust fan and since she emphasized the importance of using it, I have done so.

what wall prep did she/you do prior to hanging the paper?

She removed the original paper that was in there, then she washed all the walls to get them clean and dry. She did some spackling over a few rough places and then put on what she called a "wallcovering primer", but I don't know the name of it.

what type of adhesive was used?

All I can remember is that it was a powder in a blue box. I remember this because the paper was a pre-pasted paper and I asked why she wasn't just dipping it in water. She said that she mixed this powder to act with the paste that is on the paper to give it better adhesion. She had a machine that she pulled the paper through that put this solution on the paper.

what type of paper is it?

The label says "fabric backed vinyl, pre-pasted" and it is made by Brewster (I have most of one roll left and kept the label)

what does the lady have to say about it?

She is always very nice and has come out each time I have asked her to at no charge. The seams she worked on before are fine, but some new ones have opened. They are not wide open, but they are not stuck to the wall.

Hope all this helps.

mev

yes, all that info will help.

i'm just curious as to what SHE thinks the problem is. she's the professional who hung the paper herself - did you ask HER what the reason could be that these seams are opening up? she'd probably know better than the pro's here who haven't seen it firsthand..... :confused:

by the way, from what i know, it sounds to me like she did everything right. so i'm going to bet the adhesive wasn't heavy-duty enough for the paper. fabric backed vinyl is pretty hefty stuff, and might have needed something more heavy-duty than what she used. that's just my guess. the pro's will be along shortly to give you their thoughts.....

sorry for your problems - you'd think by hiring a pro, you'd avoid situations like this, huh?! :rolleyes:

and don't feel bad about calling her back - keep calling her as long as you have issues! you paid a lot of money (i'm guessing) for a professional job. it should be perfect.

I did call her back and she will be coming next week (she offered to come right away, but I have dr. appts, etc). I did ask her what she thinks is the problem and she is stumped too. She said she hasn't had this type of problem before, but she said she is willing to keep at it until I am satisfied.

I can't fault her for her professional attitude. I told her I couldn't remember the name of the national organization she belongs to..it is the National Guild of Professional Paperhangers. I went to their website and she is a member. I also checked with the Better Business Bureau and she is in good standing with them as well.

With what you said and what the pros come up with, do you think she'd be offended if I print it out and show it to her?

Thanks again for you help.

mev