Base paint for problem utility walls

[busydad]

Hi, I’ve recently painted my utility and whilst painting I found out there was backing paper behind (as when using the roller a big piece came off). I’ve filled where that was and repainted but it shows quite badly as a patch. There’s also patches in lots of places and some ‘cracks’ plus an area lower down which looks more like rising damp.

Other than re papering are there any paints which may help to use as a base under the emulsion? I’ve used some Zinsser products in the past, but not sure which if any would be best (or a combination)? BIN/Gardz etc?

Thanks

 

[foxhole]

Looks like penetrating damp , exterior photos ?
Dark colours will highlight imperfections.

 

[busydad]

All of the walls are internal (it’s an old terrace). There’s a lot of backing paper in the property so assumed damp has been/ is an issue

 

[foxhole]

Terrace houses or usually built with utility rooms , is it an extension?

 

[busydad]

That’s a good point, yes I think it is part of an extension, so one of the walls is external and two others were, but are now internal if that makes sense.

 

[michealangelo]

Is there any heating in the room , is it ventilated regularly ?

Unless you are prepared to hack away the walls to a base and replaster ......then leave and only cover with thinned emulsion so the place can breathe .....

I would be cautious in sealing any of those walls as if there is damp it's going to come out somewhere

I would possibly get a dehumidifier in there......a proper one from a plant hire .....get the moisture out

Then leave it covered with a few thinned coats of masonry paint

After a month or so you would then know what you are dealing with .....

I suspect that unless you have heating and ventilation in there on an occasional basis the place is going to be difficult to decorate

 

[michealangelo]

If there is damp ....then the worst thing you can do is seal or block that damp in

It's like seeing a damp patch on your bedroom ceiling after a water leak

Unless you stop that leak and leave the damp to dry .....then applying damp stop or sealing primer in whatever form may deal with the initial brown stain but it's going to turn up elsewhere eventually

Sometimes if a house holds some moisture it's best to let it be and make sure the place it shows up is able to let that moisture out ......by having an occasional heat and air circulating......rather than just applying zinsers latest wonder product which may just mean the moisture moves a few feet elsewhere

Hope this helps