Stripped wallpaper. Now what?

[MuBuPlu]

Hello!

In the process of renovating an old Victorian house, one step at a time.

This is step one.

I've just stripped the wallpaper and ceiling down to the plaster, but it's very crumbly and inconsistent. There are some cracks. There's also this strange (maybe insulation?) fabric under the ceiling. I've attached photos.

Firstly, can anyone tell me what that fabric material is please?

Secondly, we will want to paint the walls and ceiling. What do I need to do next?

Thanks.

 

[Alastairreid]

Cant see fabric material in your pics, if it is at the junction between ceiling and walls it will be hessian jute scrim tape used to reinforce the join and help prevent cracking..
Best bet is to remove any loose plaster clean the walls down of any paste and get the lot re-skimmed.

 

[MuBuPlu]

Thanks Alastair.

It's the brown stuff on the last picture. Thanks for that.

The paste is just the paste between the wallpaper and the wall right? I can use a steamer on that?

What's the best way to remove loose plaster?

And a professional is the best bet to skim, I presume? Too hard to do DIY?

Thanks.

 

[Alastairreid]

Yep its jute scrim..dont take it off.
wash the walls with sugar soap to remove any old paste residue.
probably best to get a plasterer in to advise you on what needs to come off..a job that size isnt really diy, especially ceilings.
having said that...if you want to give it a go, have the time and patience...you may be a natural...or book onto a 3 day course.