What is this lining / plastic / something on the walls?!

[phatboy]

Hi,

I had assumed the walls in a room I am working in were just painted like the rest of the house, but have discovered that they are all covered in this sort of very very thin plastic or something similar. They have them been painted.

It is very hard to remove from the walls as it is very stuck and comes off in tiny pieces. When i do remove a bit, it is hard to tear by hand.

The house was built in the late '50s, so it could possibly be that old.

I need to remove it so that the wall can be re-skimmed, and am reluctant to remove the top layer of plaster unless absolutely necessary!

Attached is the shiny silver side (the back) and the painted side.

Can anyone enlighten me?!



Thanks
Tim

 

[Morpheus Cane]

I wonder if it's some kind of damp proof or insulated wallpaper.

 

[Nige F]

+1

 

[phatboy]

Thanks, research seems to agree, it's a damp proof thing.

Any tips for removal?! A wide, sharp scraper is taking a very long time!

 

[Morpheus Cane]

One of these might help.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/heavy-duty-scraper-4/16530

Get a pack of spare blades too.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/heavy-duty-scraper-blades-4-10-pack/11566
But you have to be over 18 to get them

Not sure if a steamer would touch it but you can use one of these to help the steam get behind the paper.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/zinsser-paper-tiger-scoring-tool-3mm/3469h

Just be carefull not to damage the wall as it will be a nightmare trying to patch it all up with out plastering or wallpapering again.

 

[phatboy]

One of these might help.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/heavy-duty-scraper-4/16530

Get a pack of spare blades too.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/heavy-duty-scraper-blades-4-10-pack/11566
But you have to be over 18 to get them

Not sure if a steamer would touch it but you can use one of these to help the steam get behind the paper.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/zinsser-paper-tiger-scoring-tool-3mm/3469h

Just be carefull not to damage the wall as it will be a nightmare trying to patch it all up with out plastering or wallpapering again.

Ah, so I already have the right tools for the job then, so there is noting better

Well the wall is being re-skimmed, so damage doesn't matter which is good. Better get stuck in