You need a putty knife pliers wood adhesive a hammer paneling or finish nails and a touch up stick.
Wall paneling that doesn t warp.
A denser wood is more prone to warp.
If the paneling has a laminate finish the finish can separate and start to peal off.
Solutions to warped paneling.
Depending on the finish of the paneling other damages can occur when a piece becomes warped.
Store and handle paneling properly.
If it is solid wood paneling splintering can occur.
Wood paneling warps when the moisture content of the wood is uneven from side to side.
A sheet of plywood has a core surrounded by the wood fibers which provides the stability for the sheet.
How to repair warped wood panelling.
Plywood panels warp for similar reasons.
Interior paneling is basically 1 4 or 3 8 inch plywood and it behaves in the same way as the plywood used for roof decking sheathing and flooring.
Nail spacing is important and if the nails are too far apart warping can result.
More moisture means expansion and less moisture means contraction.
Whatever the reason if the paneling is bowing it can generally be reversed or repaired and then put back into place.
The thickness of material adds to the warping.
Signs of warped paneling are likely to show if the paneling isn t secured properly.
Here s what to do.
If you have wood paneling and it begins to bow or buckle possible causes are rising and falling humidity levels wall or foundation settling that make the walls shift and paneling nails coming loose.
Glue is typically used to install wood paneling and nails hold it in place.
A thicker core is less prone to warp but the warping still occurs due to moisture exposure.
Press the panel back down and pull out the nails.
If the panel still pulls up take the panel off the wall and reglue it.
When warping occurs in paneling it appears to bubble or bow outward.
Use a stiff putty knife to lift the panel.