Should we remove the lining paper?

[starrystarrynights]

We're moving into our new place in the New
Year, its not our forever home but we'd like it to look nice for the couple of years that we'll be there.

We we are going to painting the living room but have noticed that the lining paper at the top of the wall as very slightly coming away at the joins - maybe by a couple of millimetres on some of the joins. Its a bit of a pain in the neck as we were just planning on giving the room a quick lick of paint

So wise MNers , should we take off the lining paper before painting?

We have no idea what might be underneath the lining paper and fear we may be opening a proverbial can of worms!

[Bunbaker]

If you can stick it back up I wouldn't bother. We had to have lining paper on the walls in our last house as it was an old house and it covered the imperfections on the wall prior to painting.

[SlightlyTubbyHali]

Oooh no, never take off lining paper unless you are putting more up or replastering.
Whatever is underneath will, I guarantee, be far worse than a bit of wrinkly old paper.

[lalalonglegs]

DON'T TOUCH IT.

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

Totally agree with the others. Leave it alone. You didn't see the peeling, OK? It never happened.

[dietcokesholidaysarecoming]

Leave alone unless you are prepared to deal with potentially a lit worse.

That was by initial reaction before I even opened thread and saw replys- I am also a diy novice but have heard friends cursing!

[ethelina]

The lining paper is only there in te first place to hid the shit wall underneath! If you remove it you will end up replastering and lifes far too short for that.

[ethelina]

The

[Kristingle]

stick it back down at once

do not remove

[BoffinMum]

No
Put some new lining paper over the top.

[cece]

Stick it back up with a bit of border glue. If you take it down you will discover why they put it up in the first place. I can guarantee it will not be pretty and it will be expensive...

[mozette]

just asked DP who is a Painter and he said stick it back if you can, if not trim it back to where it is still stuck down and then fill with finishing plaster before painting. (Finishing plaster is easier to sand)

[starrystarrynights]

Thanks everyone!! I know I could rely on MN

mozette - I'm going to do exactly as you say :)

Thanks again