Breathable lining paper? (to paint on)

[lizziecupcakes]

Hi all,

I have lime plastered (main bedroom) walls. I’m sure when they were added, but the house is from 1907 and the last owner lived there for 55 years. I’ve pulled off their (imo) ugly 1970s wallpaper and found some bits if plaster came off with it. I will be repairing the patches here and there with something like polyfill . The pink bits of plaster you see is gypsum from the “making good” electricians did from a recent house rewire. I will also sand down the walls and smoothen them out.

The 5 year plan: initially, I wanted to paint directly on the plaster, but after consulting you all in a different thread about this, I’ve decided to take your excellent advice and just use lining paper and paint on that. The aim is to decorate with the colours and interior I like, but save up for about 5 years before going back to brick on the external facing walls to add wood fibre boards and replaster with NHL lime.

For now, the lining paper and paint are also a challenge. Is there such a thing as breathable lining paper? I’m also going to be super careful with the paint (breathable) and don’t mind getting slightly pricey ones to get the look I want since I will not be repoastering tbe walls anytime soon. I’m looking at Farrow & Ball. I like matt, textured effect paint, so any recommendations would be appreciated

I also an eagre to get this bedroom done soon (by New Year, because of some other jobs around the house), since me and my partner are shsring the smallest room and it’s quite small for two and our clothes etc.

Thank you!

 

[Cubist]

In terms of lining paper you would be hard pressed I think to find some that is not breathable. So long as its doesn't claim to be water or stain resistant or washable you should be fine. F&B paints were mandated by the Artistic Director here for all interior and exterior use. As such their emulsions and eggshells of various hues are to be found everywhere and some of them were even not applied by the Technical Director. Those used over interior plaster walls have faired very well over the last circa 15 years despite the odd scuff, knock, leak and spill and even now don't look at all tired except in high traffic rooms and the kitchen.

 

[lizziecupcakes]

Thanks @Cubist ! I found a tiny damp patch on the wall, in the corner. The plaster has gone all powdery so will hack that out and let it dry out. I have no idea the cause - probably the getter adjacent to it, or the parapet wall it’s directly beneath, or just a small leak through the roof. The roofer can’t find any issues though, but he made some changes to see if it helps. No idea what to do about that patch. Might just replaster with lime once I know how **gulp**

 

[Cubist]

I suggested a little trick in reply to another recent enquiry that may help to confirm the source of the damp. Take a sheet of clingfilm and tape it to the wall over the damp area of plaster and leave it for a few hours or maybe as much as 24. If, when you return to it and place your hand over the film you find its wet then theres a good chance you're seeing the result of water condensing onto the wall from the rooms atmosphere. If it's dry on the external face but wet beneath then damp is bleeding through the plaster toward the warmer air in the room. Maybe worth a try.

 

[larry]

I'm not a painter but we have used Tikkurilla paints as they have the decency to publish their SD values (unlike every other major manufacturer). We used Optiva Colour. It's pricier than Dulux but a lot cheaper than some and you can order mixed to your exact spec.

 

[lizziecupcakes]

@Cubist thank you! done! trying this for the next 24hours!

 

[Cubist]

@Cubist thank you! done! trying this for the next 24hours!

If it don't work I'll deny everything and demand proof that refutes all the physicists I can think of - including Sheldon Cooper.

 

[Cubist]

Dammit! Just as I begin thinking I've come up with a potentially marketable innovation - a Google Guru check finds its nowt new at all.

If the clingfilm test failed then do the same thing with a sheet of kitchen foil as suggested by Permaguard. Harumph!

 

[lizziecupcakes]

Yes, it didnt show any moisture on either side, thankfully. But my roofers today came to replace the lead flashing in that area (cracked along its length) and revealed that the bitumen had sunken and not long enough to sit up against the parapet/party wall). They said that it was likely letting in damp during heavy rains.

They’ve repaired this area with breathable felt and new lead flashing, so I am hoping this will help in the long term!

 

[lizziecupcakes]

Thanks for these tips though @Cubist . I will know what to do next time (hopefully there wont be a next time though).