Hanging lining paper over embossed wallpaper

[newhomeowner2]

We have a 1930's semi and the main bedroom ceiling has nice, neat white embossed wallpaper on the ceiling. However, one corner has had a leak so this needs patching up by a plasterer. Once that has been done, is it ok just to hang lining paper over the whole ceiling or will the embossed paper underneath show through?
We've had four quotes but each plasterer has said something different in terms of having the whole ceiling plastered. I'm reluctant to remove the existing paper all together as its only one corner that's affected.
What is best? Can we line the whole ceiling or should we take all the paper off and skim the whole ceiling? I'm very confused about what to do.

 

[Richard C]

Take the paper off & do whatever is necessary to repair & make it look good; if it needs it, have the whole ceiling re-skimmed; at most a day’s work & it should certainly cost less than £200. It will look like a pig’s ear if you get one corner re-plastered & then stick lining paper over that & the embossed paper!

 

[Zampa]

Dont even bother attempting it.

 

[newhomeowner2]

Thanks Richard C. I agree, we need to take the paper off and have the whole ceiling skimmed. Until we get the paper off we won't really know what needs doing. If all the plaster comes off leaving bear boards/lath will it need more than a 'skim'?
We are planning to carefully sponge soak the wallpaper this weekend and see how easily it comes off before getting a stripper-guy in.

 

[Richard C]

If it’s plaster board; any that’s been badly damaged by the damp will have to be cut out & a new board sections let in & blended in with the surrounding area. If small areas of plaster come away exposing the boards, it may be feasible to skim/fill these locally but if it's too bad then re-skim the whole ceiling or it may end up looking like a patchwork quilt. If the original plaster is de-laminating generally, the easiest & quickest solution is to completely overboard the ceiling & apply a new skim over that; I ended up doing this on a flat roof extension where the original ceiling would have just needed too much work to redeem.

If it’s a lath & plaster ceiling, I have no experience with these at all so, hopefully, others forum members will be able to advise you.

 

[joe-90]

before getting a stripper-guy in.

Make sure you post us a few photos!