Removing picture rails

Press, 9 May 1985, Page 29

Removing picture rails

In home renovation and repair work, the trend is to remove existing picture rails so as to have a plain, unbroken wall surface, but the actual job of detaching the rails calls for considerable care. In a timber-frame house lined on the inside with fibrous plaster sheets, the picture rail usually covers the joint between the main plaster sheet up to door height and the frieze section above. Removing the rail will expose this joint. You can fill in or “set” such exposed joints with patching plaster if you are careful, although you cannot be certain of getting a goodjob.

This is because movements in the wall frame will probably fracture the patch, making an unsightly crack along the line of the ooint.

The best way of tackling the patching job is to enlarge the gap between the wall sheets to a width of not less than 6mm, and at the same time undercut the edges slightly to give the patch a “key.”

Then work in a small quantity of fibre with the patching plaster before applying it. The purpose of such fibre is to reinforce the plaster. The area around the full length of the crack should

be well moistened before patching. The most suitable tool to use for this job is known as a plasterer’s “small tool” which is a combination trowel and spatula. In such patching work, it is advisable to leave a small surplus above the main level of the surface in case of shrinkage. This is then levelled off flush and smooth with fine abrasive paper when dry. On plastered brick walls, the procedure is different and much easier. Any holes or cracks should only occur around those points where plugs have been driven into the wall surface to hold the picture rail.