Redecorating a (cigarette) smokey house

[Hatterlovesbrighton]

So me and Mrs HLB are shortly to move to Haywards Heath. Buying a nice house but has some stuff to do it to make it really nice. One of the things about the place is that the current owners are smokers. Its not like it absolutely stinks of it, but there is a definite aroma. Won't quite know the full extent until we are in.

Been reading around this and the advice for really bad stains is to put down a layer of sealer primer but others advise that just washing it down with ammonia or some other solution. Problem with the former is that its damn expensive to primer the whole house.

So what says the sages of NSC?

 

[algie]

Sugar soap the walls. A few base coats of emulsion will be good enough. I've never needed to use sealant before.

 

[tedebear]

Alot of it will go with their furniture (and curtains if they take them) most of the rest will be in the ceilings and any carpets/curtains left. I'd just wash the walls and ceilings with borax solution if you aren't planning to redecorate, if you are decorating then only a few coats will get rid of it. Also get any carpets deeply steam cleaned and clean any light bulbs, its amazing how they catch the smell.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Sugar soap the walls. A few base coats of emulsion will be good enough. I've never needed to use sealant before.

beat me to its Sugar soap a good old fashioned solution can get in powder or liquid form-takes a bit of effort,but so do all good things

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Don't forget to do the ceilings as well.

 

[tedebear]

beat me to its Sugar soap a good old fashioned solution can get in powder or liquid form-takes a bit of effort,but so do all good things

I did sugar soap when we moved in here - found it a pain to really get off the walls without making everything wet?

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

One coat (emulsions and gloss) paints should cover tobacco stains.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

I did sugar soap when we moved in here - found it a pain to really get off the walls without making everything wet?

like i say,effort & yes things get wet so best ventilate and have drying cloths on hand,still it appears you have found a easier way,maybe

 

[tedebear]

like i say,effort & yes things get wet so best ventilate and have drying cloths on hand,still it appears you have found a easier way,maybe

I don't know - we also were having a kitchen extension done so I had red plaster dust everywhere and wet sugary walls - was a bit of a tough few weeks!

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

I don't know - we also were having a kitchen extension done so I had red plaster dust everywhere and wet sugary walls - was a bit of a tough few weeks!

builders....a pain to society,i could go on and on about them but i won't,lets just say and i say this with family connections in the trade,that i don't like them very much,a wide sweeping generalization maybe,but that's my opinion....anyway sorry to digress.....perhaps the walls should have been cleaned of dust first,then sugar soaped.

 

[tedebear]

builders....a pain to society,i could go on and on about them but i won't,lets just say and i say this with family connections in the trade,that i don't like them very much,a wide sweeping generalization maybe,but that's my opinion....anyway sorry to digress.....perhaps the walls should have been cleaned of dust first,then sugar soaped.

We're lucky - our builder is family (well as close as) and he's good - the only thing he doesn't do is plastering so we subbed that out - and the dilbert mixed it up in the kitchen - idiot!

 

[Hatterlovesbrighton]

Alot of it will go with their furniture (and curtains if they take them) most of the rest will be in the ceilings and any carpets/curtains left. I'd just wash the walls and ceilings with borax solution if you aren't planning to redecorate, if you are decorating then only a few coats will get rid of it. Also get any carpets deeply steam cleaned and clean any light bulbs, its amazing how they catch the smell.

Thanks all

So no need to wash if we are planning on painting over it (which we are)?

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

We're lucky - our builder is family (well as close as) and he's good - the only thing he doesn't do is plastering so we subbed that out - and the dilbert mixed it up in the kitchen - idiot!

Ha ha ha(dillbert-like that one) not laughing at your predicament btw...that's good,anyway a lot of walls can be papered over(if the surface is too bad or not strong enough) rather than the use of plasterers,that only ever turn up late and go early(sorry doing it again)..

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Thanks all

So no need to wash if we are planning on painting over it (which we are)?

I would personally wash it all down with sugar soap to get it clean , instructions on the paint tin normally say to apply paint to a clean surface.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Thanks all

So no need to wash if we are planning on painting over it (which we are)?

don't be lazy-do the job properly,it will have so much a better finish

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

I would personally wash it all down with sugar soap to get it clean , instructions on the paint tin normally say to apply paint to a clean surface.

The hard part is always preparation,dust,hover,rub,fill,mask etc.....paint will mix with grease and look awfull...i am with you

 

[robinsonsgrin]

tell mrs hlb that jonathon wont like it stinking!! she will understand....lol

 

[Hatterlovesbrighton]

Cheers all

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Cheers all

i will ask these for help,be warned they are strict....but it will all be worth it in the end