Wallpaper over very old, fine existing wallpaper

last year

Hi there,
I’ve just taken the old wood chip off in my hallway which has revealed two or three very fine layers of wallpaper underneath which don’t come with the steamer but do come off with a razor scraper. I’m some places all layers of wallpaper came off all the way back to the plaster but it’s very patchy.

Given that these layers are quite fine (maybe 1 mm or .5 mm) could I sand down and apply a thick lining paper or would the different layers of wallpaper, even if fine, still show throw once I’ve painted?

For context the property is an 1880s tenement flat in central Edinburgh.

Thanks,

Matt

Featured Answer

Kate

last year

Given the age of the property you may want to be very careful about stripping back and sanding: some of the layers could contain toxins like lead or arsenic. These are no problem...unless disturbed!

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Comments (7)

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Attention2detail
last year
'kate stated a good point'

it is important to be aware of the potential for toxins in the walls and paper of an old house. Some of the toxins that may be present in old wallpaper and paint include:

Lead: Lead was commonly used in paints and wallpapers until the 1970s. Lead poisoning can cause a variety of health problems, including learning disabilities, behavior problems, and neurological damage.

Arsenic: Arsenic was also used in paints and wallpapers until the early 1900s. Arsenic poisoning can cause a variety of health problems, including skin problems, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Mercury: Mercury was used in some

types of wallpaper until the 1950s. Mercury poisoning can cause a variety of health problems, including kidney damage, neurological damage, and birth defects.

If you are concerned about the potential for toxins in the walls and paper of your old house, you should have the walls tested by a qualified professional. If toxins are present, you will need to take steps to remove them safely.

Here are some tips for safely removing toxins from old wallpaper and paint:

Wear gloves, a mask, and goggles when working with old wallpaper and paint.
Dispose of the old wallpaper and paint in a sealed container.
Vacuum the area thoroughly after removing the old wallpaper and paint.
Wash the walls with a mild soap and water solution.
Apply a coat of primer to the walls before painting.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of toxins in old wallpaper and paint.

In addition to the toxins mentioned above, there are a few other things to be aware of when working with old wallpaper and paint. Some older wallpapers may contain asbestos, which is a known carcinogen. If you are unsure whether or not your wallpaper contains asbestos, it is best to have it tested by a qualified professional.

Old paint may also contain lead. If you are planning to sand the walls before painting, it is important to take precautions to prevent the lead dust from becoming airborne. You can do this by using a wet sanding technique and wearing a respirator.

It is always a good idea to consult with a professional before working with old wallpaper and paint. They can help you to assess the risks and develop a safe plan for removal.

https://attentiondetail.co.uk/decorating-advice-%26-tips
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Stephanie Davis
last year
If the wallpaper layers are very thin, they can be sanded and thick backing paper can be applied. However, it is important to be careful not to sand too hard, as this can damage the plaster. You may also want to consider using a primer before applying the backing paper to ensure a smooth finish.

If you're not sure if you can sand down the wallpaper, it's always best to be careful and remove it all. This will give you a clean slate to work from and ensure that your paint job looks its best.

To remove the wallpaper, you can use a steamer or wallpaper remover. If you're using a steamer, be sure to work in small sections and let the wallpaper soak in for a few minutes before trying to remove it. If you are using a wallpaper remover, be sure to follow the directions on the label carefully.

Once all the wallpaper has been removed, you will need to repair holes and cracks in the plaster. You can then apply a coat of primer and then two coats of paint.

To avoid similar problems in the future, I recommend using self-adhesive wallpapers from https://fancywalls.eu/wall-decor/peel-stick-removable-wallpaper/ . They are easy to use, easy to remove and easy to remove dirt.

Good luck!
0
Jonathan
last year
I would probably have the whole lot covered with a lining paper to even out the uneven surface and disguise blemishes. Remember that in a place with less than perfect walls a really flat paint helps disguise the imperfections.
0
HU-370469369
Original Author
last year
Thank you everyone for the responses. I decided to run a razor stripper over the wall paper to take away the peeling bits but didn’t ultimately take all layers off because it was varnishing and too tight to the plaster underneath it (steamer and chemicals no help - would’ve taken me weeks). I then sanded down while being sure to wear a proper dust mask. After that I pulled off the corner beads (round corner beads in old properties like mine). I then patched obvious dings and holes with polyfilla. Finally I coated in green grit (Bostik) and has a plasterer come in and do a skim coat. Unfortunately this seemed the only obvious way to get a good finish. I’ll now mist coat the finish plaster and paint on directly using a flat paint.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
Kimberly MD
last month
Thank you everyone for all the detail. I have found the exact same very fine paper in my 1890’s house today after finally getting the nerve to strip off the painted textured wallpaper. Very helpful to know how others have handled it.
0
Kimberly MD
last month
Update one month later….we’ve had all the hallway plaster repaired and skimmed, top to bottom of the house. Ultimately the plasterers decided to use blue grit over areas where we couldn’t get the brown paper off, and that seems to have worked well.

Wallpaper over very old, fine existing wallpaper

Kate

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Wallpaper over very old, fine existing wallpaper

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