Dodgy Anaglypta
The Guardian, Saturday 11 December 2010
My walls are covered in Anaglypta paper (the pebbledash kind). If I try to remove it, the whole house will need replastering, and I am 72 and can’t face much upheaval. Do I just carry on applying fresh emulsion?
“Stripping and replastering is the best option, but there would be a lot of upheaval,” says DIY expert Julian Cassell. “Your next best option is to improve what you have, which will be quicker and less expensive. There are no products that smooth the textured surface of wallpaper, but a good decorator should be able to deal with it sympathetically. Lifted seams, dried-out overlaps and bubbling areas can all be stuck back with overlap adhesive, holes filled and sanded, and stains given an oil-based undercoat or stain blocker before the topcoat goes on. To give walls a fresh lease of life, try new colours: the World of Colour range from Focus DIY mixes old favourites with newer ones (about £12.99 for 2.5L).”
