Marks on skimmed wall, what are they? Help pls

[Ncall001]

We have just moved into a 1930s semi. Started redecoration project with stripping wallpaper in rear bedroom facing garden. We notice the walls underneath have been skimmed. But we also noticed small black marks spread across the walls, images attached, what are these? Are they serious? Do we need to treat the wall somehow? What should we do? Any comment and help would be much appreciated. Thanks.


//www.diynot.com/network/Ncall001/albums/

 

[stevewestern]

No pictures showing in your post - can you try again..?

Small black marks may be a result of condensation, so mildew which is easily treated by using a fungicidal wash or bleach, but more important is the reason why they are there - often a sign of bad ventilation or drying too many clothes in a room with windows closed etc. Not a major issue, and easy to cure, so don't panic !

 

[Ncall001]

hi Steve

thanks for calming my nerves

Attached are the pictures - is it mildew?

Marks 1

• Ncall001
• 8 Apr 2013
• 1

Close up of marks

Marks 2

• Ncall001
• 8 Apr 2013
• 1

Wall

 

[JohnD]

very curious marks.

But include a coin in the photo to give it scale.

 

[stevewestern]

Indeed - very odd.
Almost like some sort of ivy or creeper had been growing and had stuck itself to the plaster.

Any more pictures, and as JohnD says, some idea of scale would help. Is this all over a wall, high or low down, stuff like that...

Is picture 2 a wall/ceiling junction ?

 

[Pigeon85]

Had a discussion about similar marks the other week, put it down to old wallpaper had made these.

And remember similar when removing wood chip years ago.

 

[xr4x4]

I've seen those tiny black thunder bugs under wallpaper before, maybe it's those but died long time ago?

I dunno..

 

[Ncall001]

Hi all, thank you for the comments. Below are two more pictures, one with coin for size and other to show corner of two walls (internal corner).

Untitled

• Ncall001
• 9 Apr 2013
• 1

Untitled

• Ncall001
• 9 Apr 2013
• 1

 

[joe-90]

Just marks off the old wood chip. Be on the safe side and coat the wall with Gardz.

 

[stevewestern]

As jo-90 says, treat it with zinsser gardz -

http://www.zinsserdirect.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=96&osCsid=o8c88b4oucudpsq5m3qftplnr4

..and that should sort it.

It looks like old wallpaper marks as Pigeon85 has said.

Zinsser products are available from lots of decent decorators shops, but I doubt BnQ or the like will sell it.

 

[Nige F]

Hi all, thank you for the comments. Below are two more pictures, one with coin for size and other to show corner of two walls (internal corner).

Untitled

• Ncall001
• 9 Apr 2013
• 1

Untitled

• Ncall001
• 9 Apr 2013
• 1

Those marks ...........part of ..................The Da Vinci Code

 

[sparkwright]

I think it's the print from an old wallpaper too.

You can also see the marks where an old fashioned border was as well.

 

[Robbie uk]

Sparkwright is correct, the old wallpaper will have made these marks, seen them mant times before, they can bleed through to new paper so will need sealing first. The gold print on some of the old papers were activated by the paste.