Help ! Removing damp proof wallpaper

[wallman]

Hello there, 1st time poster...
Doing some renovations we have found old damp proof paper around the window walls. I am not sure if it was called "pitch paper" but has the black side facing away from wall and was wallpapered over. No ammount of steaming seems to shift it ! Any advice on how to remove it would be much appreciated, or if its best to leave as is and just paper over it.
Thanks for all the interesting topics and advice on this forum.

 

[Richard C]

You need to score the surface of the paper to allow the steam/water to penetrate but don’t damage the plaster underneath. Be very careful using a steamer, if you hold it in one place too long it will overheat the plaster skim & “blow” it off the basecoat; then you will have an even more serious problem to deal with!

 

[joe-90]

I'd leave it on if I were you.

 

[Richard C]

I'd leave it on if I were you.

On reflection, that might be a good idea!

 

[wallman]

Thanks guys, I think i will take your advice and leave where it is & just put lining paper & wallpaper over it.