A Grasscloth Wallpaper Tragedy
Well, this weekend didn’t go as planned. I know that every project has its ups and downs, victories and setbacks. But this particular setback was such a disappointment that it really took the wind out of my sails. Amazingly, I didn’t cry, but it sure did make me want to throw in the towel for a few days, especially with this coming at the end of a week that had already been mentally, emotionally, and physically challenging with Matt’s four-day hospital stay.
Anyway, last Thursday, we had some pretty heavy rain. I didn’t think anything of it, and I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary when I went into the foyer early Friday morning to let Cooper out into this yard.
But about mid-morning, I was in my closet getting ready to go to lunch, and I turned around and saw this…
Yep, that’s water damage on my newly installed grasscloth wallpaper. The damage covers two widths of the wallpaper.
As you can imagine, my heart sank. The good news is that I have enough wallpaper to replace those two pieces. The bad news is that that only leaves me with two pieces left for any future emergencies or accidents, and this is awfully early in the game for me to have to be replacing damaged wallpaper.
Initially, I wasn’t sure where the water was coming from. There were two possibilities — the HVAC system in the attic or a leak in the roof. Honestly, I was hoping for the first one, but I had the HVAC guy out on Friday to check and clean the system, and that wasn’t the problem.
Nope. The culprit is the solar tube skylight, which isn’t even being used right now to provide extra lighting anywhere in our master bedroom suite, but which is still installed in the roof.
I couldn’t get anyone out to fix it over the weekend, and now we’re about to have more rain today. I’m feeling quite frustrated and deflated right now. I need to get up there this morning and at least see if I can find a temporary fix until someone can come and repair it properly so that it doesn’t do any more damage.
Anyway, that set the tone for my whole weekend, and needless to say, I wasn’t very productive with any of my other projects. I know it’s just wallpaper, and in the whole scheme of things, it’s a minor thing. But it’s so disappointing to work so hard at something and then see part of it ruined within a week or so.
I’m also looking at options for sealing grasscloth wallpaper. I know it can be done, and I might test out a few options on these two damaged pieces before I take them down and replace them. I’ll keep y’all updated on which option (if any) I think works best. Or if you know of any product that works great for sealing wallpaper (especially grasscloth), please let me know! I’m open to all ideas right now.
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Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I can’t imagine how you felt seeing the water stain on your gorgeous, newly installed grass cloth! Is there any change it will be ok when it dries out?
No, it’s already completely dry. 🙁
Well that was certainly a gut punch. Ugh. Hoping there is a repair that will keep it from happening with future (bound to happen) heavy rainfall.
I’m so sorry. I would try and blend/color/dry those corners first before removing them.
Kristi, that’s awful! I am so sorry.
Oh no! I’m sorry. The only saving grace is that you have some grasscloth to spare – I can’t imagine what you’d do if you didnt! But still-what a bummer. Ugh! But I know in spite of this setback that it will all look stunning 😍. It’s already on the way. You can and will get past this. Also, I’m glad to hear Matt is home and feeling better.
Oh no!! When it rains, it pours. (seemed appropriate for this situation!) First Matt and then all your work on the grasscloth. I am sorry you are going through a tough time right now. Hang in there – sending love.
Oh honey! This is discouraging.
Do WHATEVER brings you peace, comfort and inspiration.
Then put one foot in front of the other and get back in the game.
Prayers ascending for your heart, your courage and your determination to follow leadings as they appear before you!
XO
Oh my gosh my heart goes out to you Kristi! This is such a setback for you. There’d be a great wailing and gnashing of teeth were it me. You’re handling it so well. Yes, sealing up the area on the roof is paramount right now, but please be careful. I always tell my Fella to take his phone up with him, and perhaps let someone else know. I’m glad you have some wallpaper left for repairs. Stay strong, you’ve got this!!
My heart breaks for you. I am so sorry that happened!!
Since it was so easy to remove the color with the wet cloth, is there any chance you could buy a roll of plain grasscloth to experiment with painting it? I know that my Ben Moore store can turn regular paint into spray and I love the Montana spray paint line…they have amazing colors. Since it is a natural product with expected variation it would totally be worth a shot to me…good luck! https://www.montana-cans.com/
great idea! paint is such a miracle worker in transforming so many
other things in life – could absolutely be a solution here.
if you can get the perfect colour that would work.
could work to do a watered down paint in the correct colour and slowly add
misting layers to build the colour back up –
Could you mist it with a spray bottle and then sponge it like a sponge paint? Might not work but if the dye is there and just needs redistributed……? 🤔
I agree this may work. It’s worth a try. Before taking it down and replacing it. Simple fix. Good luck, this has been a challenge for you, hope it can be corrected.
Noooooooooo! 😩
Will sealing the wallpaper actually help if the water seeps in through from the back?
That’s a good question. I might do some testing with some of the scraps I have leftover (not the full pieces). I saved every single scrap that was left, so I have plenty to experiment with.
I’m so sorry you have yet another bizarre water issue to deal with.
OMG, I don’t know how you kept your composure…it’s so heartbreaking and so soon after stepping back and loving all you did. I am so sorry. BUT I know you will handle this as you always do once the shock wears off. Please be calm and enjoy your Thanksgiving celebrations with your family…this too shall pass. Best wishes to you and your family this special family day.
I know this feels awful (because it IS), but there is a tiny silver lining! It let you know you have a leak in your roof, and that could have turned into SO MUCH MORE damage if it had gone undetected for years…so, as awful as this is, it might actually be a bit of a blessing in disguise.
I am so very sorry. I sure hope you can get someone out to fix the solar tube. Hopefully someone will offer a helpful suggestion to fix the grass cloth
OMG my heart breaks for you knowing how thrilled you were with this wallpaper. Hope the fix is easy and quick.
I am SO sorry for this unfortunate experience. You have worked so hard and to have this happen is deflating to say the least. With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I sure hope you can get someone to come fix it. I’m almost crying for you.
Oh….Kristi…. Life can sure have its challenges… I AM SOOOOO VERY SORRY.. I can totally understand your “Disappointment” and its accompanying frustration… But you are theeee MOST RESILIENT woman I have ever “met”. I’m 80 now and when met with these types of challenges, I find myself wondering what “reason” will I find in this….??? I could offer many reasons, but…the “Knowing” still leaves you with the physical result that you have no options but to address… all I know for 100% sure…. “YOU’VE GOT THIS!”
Oh no! Poor you, as if you needed that right now, and what are the chance of the timing being so particularly bad!
I know you said you bought all the grasscloth in that dye lot in the country, but seeing how much color variation you had within the same dye lot, would it be worth ordering the same wallpaper from a different dye lot and see if the difference is that noticable? It might be no more variation than you have already experienced around the closet door that made you play around with wiping some color off… Just a thought. If that option works than at least you would have more backup in case of future emergencies, it might put your mind at ease?
Oh man! I saw that pic before I even clicked in and gasped out loud! I’m glad you’ve got enough to replace it, but so frustrated for you!!
Big breath. You’ve got this.
Oh my, Kristi, this is such a shame. The silver lining is the two extra pieces to replace the damaged ones. Take a deep breath, relax, and know that you will get through this.
I am one of those people who, if one thing goes wrong, I am done for the entire day.
I hope you can rest a bit, get yourself calm, and know that you can do this, it’s just a setback, not a disaster. Much love and blessings. Happy Thanksgiving.
Dear Kristi, I am so sorry to see this. I know that you will be able to fix this. If you need a quick and easy fix for the roof, Flex Seal sprayed up and into the space around the skylight. It was a saving grace for us until the roofer could come out and fix it. I hope this helps. As for a sealer for the grass cloth, it is not recommended. Stem the flow of water first, and then address the wetness, and hopefully the drywall will not mold on you. I wish I had better advice for you.
Cheers to you and Matt and Team Fur!
I am so sorry this happened to you! Here’s another idea to fix this without using 2 whole new pieces- could you just cut out the damaged corner and replace the corner however many inches with a wide enough scrap piece? For the bottom of the wallpaper, cut out the portion that is damaged all the to where the wall paper ends. Since it’s horizontal, the texture of the grass cloth can hide that cut. If it works, then you will have saved 2 whole panel pieces. If you hate it, then at least you tried and can still use the 2 panel pieces.
Do you have to go up on the roof to seal that solar tube? What a terrible shame this happened.
Bless you. I probably would curse & cry. I’m thrilled to hear you have extra grass cloth. I thought you used it all. Take a deep breath. Enjoy Thanksgiving. Let this be next week’s problem. So glad Matt is home!
Oh my, that is beyond horrible!! I would have been in tears, for sure!! Hard to tell from pics but looks like damage is also right above the chair rail on both sides. Would a hair dryer or heat gun or fan help dry it out so no additional seepage/damage? I have touched up grass cloth wallpaper with acrylic craft paint! No, it was not perfect and I felt like I could see it and miles away, nobody else noticed and they still thought it looked great after I pointed it out. I used a thin brush, mixed a few colors and very lightly painted horizontal lines in different lengths leaving part of the background. The colors blended very well, but the sheen was different. I would use a satin finish if I ever attempted again. I also found it super helpful to paint the lines with a guide, which in my case was a folded paper plate.
I didn’t realize you have that much extra wallpaper which is great if you replace it. My initial thought was to do something different like turn it into corner shelves on the outside corner. Or some sort of corner mural.
I hope the roof gets fixed (could this be an insurance claim and all wallpaper replaced?) and no future damage like this! Take time to enjoy the holiday, the wallpaper and roof will get resolved.
That just sucks! I’m so sorry that happened, especially with the week you’ve had. I’ve never heard of sealing wallpapers, except if you want to leave it up and paint over it. We would always recommend two coats of primer, but if it started pulling the wallpaper off, you would need to take it off, wash the wall well, then prime. But as I said, never heard of sealing it.
Can you paint those areas to blend in?
I would have cried.