Wallpaper Steamer took plaster off the wall

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Fanto1

Registered User
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Hey all,
So, I'm just renovating my house & I'm taking off the wallpaper in 1 of the rooms & as I was the plaster on the walls began 2 crack & lift off the walls(Brick)!!
The plaster is only about 3mm thick!
Is this just down 2 poor plastering or what do u think??
Thanks in advance,
Anthony
 
Fanto1 said:
Hey all,
So, I'm just renovating my house & I'm taking off the wallpaper in 1 of the rooms & as I was the plaster on the walls began 2 crack & lift off the walls(Brick)!!
The plaster is only about 3mm thick!
Is this just down 2 poor plastering or what do u think??
Thanks in advance,
Anthony
Click to expand...

Hi , one of the problems with steamers, if the plaster has blown ie in poor condition, steam will get behind the plaster and lift it away from the wall.
Check the wall by tapping with your fingers, the suspect plaster will have a different sound, if the walls are unsound you may have a job on your hands, re-skimming sorry for the doom and gloom and good luck
 
I had the same problem in my last house, where the plaster was probably 30+ years old and in one bedroom in particular where there was some damp. I borrowed a steamer and the plaster literally fell off one whole wall, which I had to get totally replastered. This happened in a few places around the house where as the previous poster said the plaster was unsound, so I assumed it was better to have it replastered anyway?

I quit using the steamer at this stage, and on the better walls, used to dampen the walls first with just a sponge and water, then splice the wallpaper in a criss-cross pattern with a stanley knife and then remove the paper with my hands or a scraper. It takes longer but was less destructive. Having said this, I still think if the plaster is unsound there is no point in papering over it, better to re-plaster and let it dry before you put new paper on.
 
Yes, not uncommon in my experience.

Make sure you don't hold the steamer too long in one position either - much better to underdo it: you can always go back.
 
Thanks everyone for your replys! I was kinda planning to replaster the house to give it that new house feel & smoother walls so this has made my mind up for me!
 
I previously had a house built in the 70's and similar thing happened .There was only a bare skim of plaster on the walls and we had to do it again, a terribly messy job. However if you take it very easy with the steamer holding away from the wall, you may be able to just repair the already damaged plaster.You can buy ready made plaster suitable for that type of repair.Remember, the idea of a plasterer working in you home whilst you live there is something not to be considered lightly
 
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