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I think the best thing to do is assume it is asbestos and spend more time using precaution ;)

I think the longer it takes to dry the better as plastering behind the pipes will be tricky. Still can't figure out these gaps. It may even be possibly they held something into the wall when the flat was originally built?

Yeah it could be that, though only found this in the kitchen and not the rooms. I also caught this video on youtube and some of the comments scream asbestos which gets me worried :( Looks similar to what I got though mine are just patched where someone has already pulled most of it off. I'm...

It's very thin like cardboard. There are little fibers in it though it all looks like old paper. My only guess is that it was some sort of paper or card backing to the old lino tiles that were ripped off? I found a tiny tiny piece of the old lino tile under the floorboards.

Hey all, After removing the kitchen units I noticed under the plywood that is under the vinyl floor tiles all put up possibly 10 - 20 years ago, there is this cardboard paper stuff stuck the the floorboards and the tiles. Just wondering was this some sort of old backing to lino? The flat is...

Hello all, I removed the sink and base unit to find this pleasant mess behind it. It looks like someone tried to smash off the old tiles halfway ending up taking the render off the wall! I will be patching this all up with bonding soon and was just wondering as this is a cavity wall and there...

I have similar stuff in my 1920s flat. I'm pretty sure this is just old plasterboard as the paper on mine is brown too. Can you see any fibers in the actual plaster? Otherwise for peace of mind get it tested for 50 quid. Also you can test other materials at the same time for a tenner each...

Hi, the wood is the original 1920's wood that has been stripped (via caustic soda) and sanded. It had a slightly sticky feel after the wetness which I took off with white spirit. Its just this one area of the wall where I found water damage to the front door wood on the other side. The wood...

yes its a flat, though I own a share of the freehold. They are more the property management that handle the service charge.

Will do thanks Andy. Hopefully I will find something obviouse. Really hoping it's not a leaky pipe in the wall as it will be up to the building management to fix the roof if that is the cause and less hassle for me :)

yeah that's a good idea. Even if there are no large gaps that are obvious its possible the water can come from cracks, trickle and drip directly into the area. Will need to look for telltale signs of water staining or such. Would you assume looking in that area it there was a water pipe situated...

Hey Andy, It was pretty much damp all along one half of the picture rail with a few dry patches here and there. I just checked the weather and the only rain is on sunday, so if the litmus remains dry until then it could be rain. If there was water seeping out the hole with the nail the paper...

ok I have dried the wood with a hot air gun. After there was some sticky residue which I cleaned with white spirit. So the wood seems dry now. I have also put some litmus paper behind the picture rail touching the side of the nail area. I am assuming if the litmus paper has any green within a...

Oh really? :( yeah I think I may have to take it all off and start chipping into the wall. Is it possible it is just the one pipe in this area? Or would there be more on the other walls? Would a pipe/wire detector pick up the pipe or do they not detect lead or iron pipes and only copper? What...

hey big-all, thanks for the reply. It would be hard to remove the picture rail without removing the nail as when pulling it out the nail comes with it. From what I can see the water main is coming from the kitchen and there is a visible water pipe coming from the ceiling at the other end. All...

You can see with the picture rail the damp ends at the end and the rail it is butted against is dry. Also I do sometimes leave my bathroom door open after a shower without opening the window so not sure if this has anything to do with it. There are small areas of the skirting board opposite that...

Hello all, The other day I drilled holes and nailed in the old picture rail just under the ceiling. All seemed fine until I got home a day later and noticed a damp wood smell. I can see some of the wood is a little damp in areas. I noticed some of the rail over the living room door the other...

Ok thanks, will try this. Though the exterior door is inside a hallway but the most hard-waring is best

Thanks for the advice guys. footprints: Its a shame I didn't paint it during the heatwave! Its all winter and rain from now on :-\ John: thats a good idea! I can screw in the door bits leaving a bit of a gap so they're not tightly touching. Also I was thinking for the edges to paint those with...

Hey all, I have primed my front door with water based undercoat. Though need to use an satin oil base paint for the top coat. I have taken the door off along with all the attachments so it is just the wooden door. My concern with painting with the oil based paint is drying time. I have not...