Looks like mould behind wallpaper - advice

[Valderrama]

We've recently moved into a new house and today decided to start stripping the wallpaper in our bedroom.

The good news - there's only one layer of wallpaper and the walls looks nice and solid behind it.

The bad news? There is what looks like a lot of mould/mildew. It looks like it was/is growing on the wallpaper paste.

Any advice on how to handle this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pigeon85]

Any mould should be washed off with bleach. Was the paper loose anywhere or any mould on the surface of the paper or even a sign of staining may have been mouldy on the surface and been wiped off previously

 

[Valderrama]

No signs of any peeling wallpaper or stains and it appeared to be put up really well - very neat and tidy.

Wiped it over with bleach this evening but it didn't seem to be doing too much. Was using 1/4 thin bleach 3/4 water.

Is that right?

 

[Pigeon85]

Could be staining from mould that was there before the paper was put up, just make sure you remove the old paste before painting, use an oil based undercoat on any stain that remains

 

[sparkwright]

Have experienced patterns from the wallpaper on walls before in old houses before, where it hasn't been mould, but some kind of reaction with the paper. It may be nothing to worry about.

Is this effect on every wall, all over? If so, it's probably nothing to worry about.

 

[Pigeon85]

Have experienced patterns from the wallpaper on walls before in old houses before, where it hasn't been mould, but some kind of reaction with the paper. It may be nothing to worry about.

Is this effect on every wall, all over? If so, it's probably nothing to worry about.

good point made there, thinking back I have seen it when removing wood chip before

 

[Valderrama]

Yes, it's all over both of the sections that we have stripped so far.

It comes off if you scrub hard with a dish scourer or cloth.

 

[Valderrama]

Reached the picture rail, or at least where the rail used to be.

So, as that is free of this marking, I think it must be something to do with some old wallpaper or covering that was there before.

If we're looking to paint the walls, should we try and get all of this off?

 

[Pigeon85]

If you have plenty of time on your hands and want to save money then yes scrub it off, if not then sand the walls smooth then stain block it.