Damp course redecoration problems

elliewild

hello, recently had a damp proof course done on a house i rent out and i was looking forward to redecorating it so it can go back on the system with my lettings company(i need tenants asap) but ive just been told by the guy who did the work that we cannot re-decorate for 6mths due to the plaster having to dry. Obviously bare plaster walls will put off any prospective renter.

does anyone know of any way around this? special paint for the walls or advice on whether or not renters would be put off by this when looking at the house.

if you did put some wallpaper up - what would happen? if its just that i would have to replace the paper in 6mths then thats fine (as long as it helps me get someone in the property) or would it affect the drying or affectiveness of the damp course.

also i do have a de-humidifier i could use to hurry the process but have been told this 'quick drying' will crack the plaster.

i am near the threshold for having to pay council tax on the property and am struggling to pay both mortgages (mine and the house) (and the cost of the damp course) any help would be appreciated.

casper_g

Are you sure he said 6 months? I'd have thought 6 weeks would be more likely, and you might get away with much less in a centrally heated house. We certainly did!

Have a read of this: http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/paintnewplaster.htm

DRP

^as above.

Usually you'd wait until the plaster goes pink, and maybe a week or two extra to be sure

Perhaps the 6m time is associated with the installer's guarantee for the work?

graeme647

I've just puchased a new house and have similar instructions not to decorate, but if I do I should use bog standard emulsion that will let the walls breathe rather than silk or gloss paints.

I'd say as long as you just wallop it in emulsion you'll be fine - my house builder did after all.

casper_g

Don't use a vinyl emulsion, whether silk or matt. Use a "contract matt" - something like this: http://www.screwfix.com/p/leyland-trade-contract-matt-emulsion-paint-brilliant-white-10ltr/33680. The usual advice is to water down the paint a bit for the first coat on new plaster, called a "mist coat".