Show FIRST AID to the AILING HOUSE by Roger C. 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 waIl But Butwill Butwill Butwill will wallpaper hold over this ANSWER I would not advise using black asphaltum for this purpose Your waIl wallpaper paper may be pulpy and absorbent and pr probably bably the plaster also absorbs and holds much of the dampness from the air Before and after removing removing removing re re- re- 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 theair theair theair 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 leakage leakage leak leak- age and the discoloration should be examined by a plasterer and taken care of before p paper per is hung When the patching was done it may be that not enough plaster was cut out and a damaged area still remains |