Damp On Wallpaper

[allenlondon]

Moved a cupboard in an unheated bedroom, wall shows dark stains from damp.

I’m not moving house, so this isn’t a cover up, but I want to know what I can wipe the woodchip paper with to make it just look a bit better.

I know this isn’t a long-term solution, just a tosh up, but it’s all I can do at present.

A

[jennyjoan]

as an aside Allen - did you get your tumble dryer

[pixie374]

Does it not wash off?

[allenlondon]

Blimey, you’re good, Jennyjoan. Mind you, women often have better “file-it-away” minds than blokes, who lumber along noticing very little.

Well, not yet, but that was why I was moving the cupboard!

Mrs A (still in hospital) wants her say in choosing it once she escapes the cardio ward, hence us not yet having bought one.

(Women actually LISTEN more, too.)

[teacake44]

Spray (lightly) some mould and mildew cillit bang on, leave for a while 30 mins, wipe clean.

[Old_Geezer]

Do they ? My woman doesn't. But there again we're both getting old age hearing issues.

Woodchip is bumpy. Unsure much will help. Maybe cover it up with the cupboard. Aside from that, remove it from the wall and see what you can do underneath where the woodchip was.

[allenlondon]

Thanks. I think Cillit Bang is the one for me.

Simple, cosmetic, and it’ll put off the evil day when something deeper has to be done.

A

[teacake44]

And at a later date if you wish to paint the paper that's already on, rather than try and remove wood chip ( that is a pain to remove anyhow) You can buy what is called, " Stain blocker) very much like a normal small tin of white paint, you paint this on the day before you are ready to emulsion, if you don't use this and just paint over with the emulsion, the stain will just keep showing through, as quick as the next day. Two or three coats of stain blocker is a good idea, providing its a smallish area, it would be very expensive to do a whole wall, as its about £10/ £12 for about 750ml.

[KARL]

Ordinary undercoat (oil based) is fine as a "fixer"/stabiliser to prevent stains from dissolving and coming back to the surface - a single proper coat is almost invariably all that is needed.

[youngmafbog]

USe a toothbrush on the woodchip once you have got the main off. Gets in the nooks and crannies

[teacake44]

You can karl yes use that, but if you want a perfect job, ( not everyone does) then Stain block blends in better with the top coat of emulsion, ordinary undercoat tends to show through the emulsion, as a thicker and darker patch.

[Hopkirk]

Leave the cupboard away from the wall for a while, and perhaps put a heater there to thoroughly dry it out.

Putting emulsion over it will only add to the damp.

You can't really assess what it needs until it is totally dry.

[Ken4155]

Doesn't matter what you use after you have cleaned it if it is still damp. Only paint over it once it is completely dry or the paint will never take.

[The Builder]

Don't panic Allen. I doubt if there's any long term problem.

It's just a combination of... bedroom; unheated; cupboard; and the time of year.
Stagnant air at the back of the cupboard is the problem, as I'm sure you know. Definitely try the cleaner and, if you want to overpaint, then do leave it for some time before attempting this (preferably next summer.)
In the meantime... sell the cupboard ;o)

[allenlondon]

Builder, pragmatic as ever.

It really is a shame that you don’t operate here in NW London. I could keep you very busy.

Allen

[The Builder]

It would be a pleasure Allen. As it would for many other ABers who have said something similar.

Maybe one day I'll get around to fitting out a campervan/workshop and tour the country looking for ABers in need ;o)

[allenlondon]

Builder: there might be a long queue...

A

[allenlondon]

teacake! Cillit Bang is brilliant. Followed directions, sprayed, wiped, washed. Excellent results.

I know on its own it won’t solve the problem, but it really works for now.

Many thanks.

A