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Show FIRST AID to the AILING HOUSE I j by Roger C. Whitman QUESTION: How should plaster walls that show dampness through the wallpaper be treated? Some say that using black asphaltum on the wall would waterproof it. But how will wallpaper be over this material? Aluminum paint is said to be good for sealing the wall. But will wallpaper hold over this? ANSWER: I would not advise using black asphaltum for this purpose. Your wallpaper may be pulpy and absorbent, and probably the plaster also absorbs and holds much of the dampness from the air. Before repapering, and after removing re-moving the present paper, try the effect of painting the walls with good aluminum paint. Let this dry, apply a glue size, and then hang a washable type of wallpaper or an oilcloth type of wall covering. If there is excessive moisture in the air of your house, try to locate the cause. QUESTION: There is a "ring" in the ceiling where some patching had been done. Will this correct itself if the ceiling is repapered after a lapse of several months? ANSWER: It is possible that the plaster may have disintegrated from excessive dampness or leakage, leak-age, and the discoloration should be examined by a plasterer and taken care of before paper is hung. When the patching was done, it may be that not enough plaster was cut out, and a damaged area still remains. |