concrete/cement walls HELP!!

[sueyh]

We have just scraped the wall paper off our walls and discovered that the walls are concrete/cement - what should we do before we wall paper again?  Should we seal it with something and if so what?  Should we plaster or board it? 

HELP!!

[8-)]

Suey

[Gyn_Paul]

what sort of condition is it in (flat/rough) ? Most improtantly, is it

damp? Could you seal it and paint it? If it's a small room, can you

afford to lose the 3 or 4 inches each side if you plasterboard it?

p

[sueyh]

It is flat with a rough finish, crumbling near the skirting, where the house was left for months on end unoccupied and unheated, we have owned it for three and a half years and the heating (we installed) in that time has dried the walls out completely.  Where it is crumbling it needs filling (what is the best thing - we are novices at the diy thing!!)?

Suey

[Nick Trollope]

If is is not damp, I'd MAP plasterboard straight onto it, joint & paper/paint. You would lose about 20mm per wall.

 

[Gluestick]

Why is it "Crumbling"?

Normally, this is due to execssive damp penetration plus Saltpetre corrosion. This can be recognised by white crystals on the surface of the crumbling cement or plaster.

Agree with Nick, use plaque de plâtre, (plasterboard): however, prior to this, remedy the crumbling and treat with Traitment de Saltpètre ( Anti-Saltpetre Solution), where necessary. If the wall is cement render, then repair with cement.

BTW: In your original post you state that the wall is concrete/cement. Concrete is cement mixed with aggregate (small stones): cement is cement mixed with various grades of sand. Most cement rendering would be cement and sand, as it would be impossible to render a smooth surface vertically in concrete.

What is the basic construction of the building? Quite a few newer French houses are built from pre-cast concrete.

 

[sueyh]

Yes seems to be cement.  The problem is that the house stood empty for six months at a time from October to March for about ten years and got very damp.  We bought it three and a half years ago and had central heating put in which has dried the place out.  We now live here permanently and the heating has been on constantly for the time that we have had it, if the temperature drops below 20 or 16 respectively during the day/night the heating kicks in.

Thanks for your advice - where in Nord Pas de Calais do you reside?

Suey[:)]

[Gluestick]

Sadly, Suey, only part time at present but with a fair following wind, soon, permanently!

Our old place is in Ambricourt, which is next to Tramecourt; which is next to Azincourt (or as we Brits call it Agincourt). nearest town is Fruges; Hesdin is circa 25 mins up the road.

Where are you?  (Edit) Ooops! [:$] Silly me! bad day today. Fairly obviously in the Canche Valley! At Ligne!

As a thought, if you re-render the bottom of the walls where the damp(??) has caused the crumbling - after treating with the anti-saltpetre liquid if necessary -  why not try a coat of Crepi and see how it works?

Don't forget to dig out any lose or suspect rendering well above the crumbling line. Be ruthless!

If you have cured the damp now, it could be OK? After all, if it doesn't work, then you can always dry line afterwards with plaque de plâtre.

Crepi is much cheaper and far quicker!