I've recently bought an 1880s tenement flat in Edinburgh. Like all tenements the original plaster (I assume lime) is crumbling but is held together by lining paper. I'm redecorating and was told my options after stripping the existing lining paper are 1) fix the holes in the blown plaster and skim, 2) fix holes and reline with smoother paper.
The decorator I spoke to advised relining, but I don't like the look of lining paper and would prefer the smooth finish of skimmed walls. On the other hand, I'm worried that skimming with gypsum would be bad for moisture because it wouldn't let the original lime breathe. We're on the second floor so not too concerned about rising damp but you never know. I did look into getting it done with lime plaster but it sounds like this would be horrifically expensive and hard to find a qualified lime plasterer anyway.
What should I do—reline or skim?
The decorator I spoke to advised relining, but I don't like the look of lining paper and would prefer the smooth finish of skimmed walls. On the other hand, I'm worried that skimming with gypsum would be bad for moisture because it wouldn't let the original lime breathe. We're on the second floor so not too concerned about rising damp but you never know. I did look into getting it done with lime plaster but it sounds like this would be horrifically expensive and hard to find a qualified lime plasterer anyway.
What should I do—reline or skim?
