humidity and wallpaper

[mischa]

I just lost two restaurant jobs in the Houston area because someone convinced the powers that be that wallcovering, regardless who does it and with what paste/prep, will not last and only be trouble in the forseeable future because of the high humidity.

I would very much like to hear from a hanger in that area, the pros and cons of such a statement; and, if true as a generalization – what do you do to assure longevity of your installed goods?

Michael K.

Phoenix, AZ

[HangingInThere]

I happened to see a guest viewing this thread and saw that there were no responses. This one, me thinks, deserves a wee bit of discussion! ;) There were 268 views with no responses...

I wonder if the naysayers were pointing out that vinyl would not hold up if installed in the dishwasher... :rolleyes:

[fine paper hang]

A wall cover that is water proof like a vinyl is not going to have problems if you say caulk with a clear or even white caulk if you can near ceiling and where wall cover meets other areas also a person could apply a clear caulk and wipe away at seams so no moisture could enter but it still depends a lot on the wall cover and its texture.

[HangingInThere]

I've been to Houston...I thought that the name itself means humidity! :D However, restaurants will undoubtedly have a controlled environment to begin with... If we're talking an environment humid enough to effectively remove wallcovering, a food critic would be the least of their worries! I suspect there's more to this story than meets the eye...

[Vicrtexman]

I suggest "Googling" the term "microvented wallcovering". You will find that a number of commercial wallcovering suppliers listed as Associate Members of the NGPP provide products specifically designed to address this concern.

[HangingInThere]

Thanks for the heads-up vicrtexman, I did have a Google at it!

This is a quote from www.vinylbydesign
"Manufacturers of vinyl wallcoverings have taken steps to address mold and mildew problems that are of concern especially in the southern coastal areas of the United States. The primary cause of mildew is condensation caused by warm, humid air infiltrating the wall cavity. Because vinyl wallcoverings are fairly impermeable, they act as something of a vapor barrier trapping moisture inside the wall cavity, where it condenses against the relatively cool inside surface of the wall. This is called "concealed condensation." Prolonged exposure to these conditions will result in deterioration of the gypsum board, allowing the growth of mildew. A permeable membrane, such as Tyvec®, on the outside wall part of the wall cavity helps vent moisture."

It appears that a "standard" vinyl installation might contribute if there are existing construction problems such as exterior walls being improperly insulated.
It is important to eliminate the moisture at its source, with proper window installation, caulking and sealing, for example. Proper wall preparation is also important, as starch-based wallcovering adhesives can serve as a food source for microorganisms that may be present on damp surfaces. In areas of concern, wallcovering systems that include adhesives and primers formulated to inhibit the growth of mildew should be specified.

Even wallcoverings that are labeled "mildew resistant" can trap condensation. Some manufacturers have introduced "microvented" wallcoverings that allow moisture to escape. If water infiltration problems exist within the building, "breathable" wallcoverings should be selected to avoid mildew problems.

[Vicrtexman]

Glad to help. In some cases installation instructions may specify that the moisture content of the wall be checked prior to installation. If the moisture content is found to be above a specific level then corrective measures should be undertaken to ensure that the moisture doesn't get trapped between the vinyl and the sheetrock. Historically, outside walls are more prone to these issues due primarily to the failure of the building "envelope" to keep whatever's going on outside from getting inside.

[HangingInThere]

Exactly! Thus my poking at the Amazon rain forest necessary from the inside. Never assume anything...the building envelope is supposed to offer protection...

I did a car dealership in the Minneapolis area about 6 years ago that had the viny stapled to keep it down. It was a 2 1/2 story showroom. The "wing walls" of the showroom were exterior block with the sheetrock glued and screwed...sans a vapor barrier or insulation. The root of the problem, as you can guess, was a moldy mess...hey that rhymes! :D

I'm sure the general contractor who's bogus work this was is long gone...

Okay, while I've your attention...vicrtexman...is it a long or short "I"? :) I've heard both through the years...

[Vicrtexman]

Long "I" as in Vinyl.