removing wallpaper from a lath and plaster wall

quietsailor

Hi All,

My house is circa 1800's so the internal walls are lath and plaster and the external walls are rendered with whatever plaster was used back then. I ran a search on boards to see if anyone had removed wallpaper from an old house before but they only mention plasterboarded walls, mine are wallpapered over lath and plaster.
To pile pain upon pain I painted over the wallpaper a couple of times as the original wallpaper was hideous. Now i would like to completely remove the wallpaper and paint the walls underneath. i do realise I will probably end up patching the walls or worst case getting them skimmed.

I don't know what type of wallpaper it is, i do know it soaked paint so it isn't a sealed one and the decoration style was 1960s/70s

The paint was eg Atlantic homecare magnolia so it wasn't a washable paint either

my questions are;

1. Has anyone ever removed wallpaper from a lath and plaster wall?

2. I've seen threads on here mention that steamers damage the plaster board underneath, has anyone used one on a lath and plaster and did it cause excessive or unavoidable damage -- I'm sure I'll end up patching so a little damage won't bother me.

3. Can one of those scoring tools be used on my walls ie will it open a path for the steam deep into the plaster and loosen the plaster off the wall.

4. Can a chemical stripper be used over a lath and plaster wall.


Any and all replies would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Shane

**I've posted this question(s) here and in the DIY forum as I'm not sure which is appropriate - its a interior design Q but I'm a DIYer so you may see this thread again if you frequent the DIY forum as well as this one**

SoupyNorman

Have you tested an area yet with a soaking?


Soak 3 times in 20 minute intervals before you try to remove.


A steam machine is generally the best way to go.

quietsailor

Thanks Norman,

I'm just recovering after the exams (mature student) so I'm going to tackle it next week. There is a small area - 8'X2' that I can try it on. I'll let you know how it gets on

Shane