Hi Everyone,
Been browsing here for a few ideas and getting the hang of things, have learned so much!
My partner and I have just inherited a Victorian mid-Terrace that we know NOTHING about. My partner's mum bought it right before she became ill, back in 2009, and sadly the property was put on the back-burner so to speak and no maintenance, etc. was done while she was there.
The property is suffering from a bit of damp. I know now thanks to the information here, that we need to check the guttering, downpipe, ground level, air bricks, etc. which we will do ASAP upon moving in. (Move in Day is this Saturday!)
Here's what we know: the property was built in 1899. At some point the property was split into two flats, one upstairs and one down. We have paperwork that officially permits this in 2008, but nothing in the paperwork explains if the permission was obtained before or after the work was carried out. There is plywood nailed down in the front lounge and we have yet to have a look under to see if there is (hopefully!) original flooring in good condition or (boo!) cement.
Now, hubby and I are new at DIY. We are new at owning a home, new at renovation, new at repair, new at everything.
We have a very young family and 0 budget. We are practical people, willing and eager to learn, and we want to give some love back to this house, even if it takes us 20 years! :lol:
We would love to discover and restore some original features along the way.
This brings me to our first of, I'm sure, MANY problems.
We are in the process of moving over and the other day after dropping off some stuff I had a look at the walls in the lounge. At some point they were lined with textured paper. The paper was coming away at several seams and was bubbling up away from the wall in others. In a moment of madness I zealously tore a bit of the paper in a strip up the wall and I was shocked that the wall came with it! Well, a layer of it anyway! :roll:
Maybe a skim coat? Maybe lots of layers of paint? Anyway, I don't really know what to do from here. So I am posting a photo of the wall in the hope that someone can tell us:
What are the layers seen here? The bottom layer looks like a porous material...is that plaster? Gypsum or Lime? How could I know the difference? There are also blue/green patches seen on the porous surface. Could that be distemper? If it is, does that mean these are the original walls?
What is the layer that is coming away with the paper so easily? It is literally crumbling off/peeling away so I don't get how we could possibly try and preserve it, if it needs to be there. It's definitely coming away from the porous surface.
What is the best thing to do here, keeping in mind we have NO budget and will be doing everything we can ourselves? I've read that it is important to let old walls breathe. Is it ok to remove everything down to the porous wall and then limewash/distemper that?
If we have to hire a plasterer at any point that will take months to save up for. What about lining paper? Does it inhibit the wall from breathing? The wall on the external side is fairly cold to touch.
See, lots of questions! If anyone could please help keeping in mind budget and level of "skill" (none!) we'd be most grateful! Thank you!
Katie
Been browsing here for a few ideas and getting the hang of things, have learned so much!
My partner and I have just inherited a Victorian mid-Terrace that we know NOTHING about. My partner's mum bought it right before she became ill, back in 2009, and sadly the property was put on the back-burner so to speak and no maintenance, etc. was done while she was there.
The property is suffering from a bit of damp. I know now thanks to the information here, that we need to check the guttering, downpipe, ground level, air bricks, etc. which we will do ASAP upon moving in. (Move in Day is this Saturday!)
Here's what we know: the property was built in 1899. At some point the property was split into two flats, one upstairs and one down. We have paperwork that officially permits this in 2008, but nothing in the paperwork explains if the permission was obtained before or after the work was carried out. There is plywood nailed down in the front lounge and we have yet to have a look under to see if there is (hopefully!) original flooring in good condition or (boo!) cement.
Now, hubby and I are new at DIY. We are new at owning a home, new at renovation, new at repair, new at everything.
We have a very young family and 0 budget. We are practical people, willing and eager to learn, and we want to give some love back to this house, even if it takes us 20 years! :lol:
We would love to discover and restore some original features along the way.
This brings me to our first of, I'm sure, MANY problems.
We are in the process of moving over and the other day after dropping off some stuff I had a look at the walls in the lounge. At some point they were lined with textured paper. The paper was coming away at several seams and was bubbling up away from the wall in others. In a moment of madness I zealously tore a bit of the paper in a strip up the wall and I was shocked that the wall came with it! Well, a layer of it anyway! :roll:
Maybe a skim coat? Maybe lots of layers of paint? Anyway, I don't really know what to do from here. So I am posting a photo of the wall in the hope that someone can tell us:
What are the layers seen here? The bottom layer looks like a porous material...is that plaster? Gypsum or Lime? How could I know the difference? There are also blue/green patches seen on the porous surface. Could that be distemper? If it is, does that mean these are the original walls?
What is the layer that is coming away with the paper so easily? It is literally crumbling off/peeling away so I don't get how we could possibly try and preserve it, if it needs to be there. It's definitely coming away from the porous surface.
What is the best thing to do here, keeping in mind we have NO budget and will be doing everything we can ourselves? I've read that it is important to let old walls breathe. Is it ok to remove everything down to the porous wall and then limewash/distemper that?
If we have to hire a plasterer at any point that will take months to save up for. What about lining paper? Does it inhibit the wall from breathing? The wall on the external side is fairly cold to touch.
See, lots of questions! If anyone could please help keeping in mind budget and level of "skill" (none!) we'd be most grateful! Thank you!
Katie
