Hello,
We have slightly elevated humidity levels in the basement. One of the measures the inspector suggested was to remove the wallpaper against the outer concrete wall since it doesn't breathe. We have now done this, but underneath (behind) the wallpaper there is some kind of wall reinforcement, maybe fiberglass mesh? Unsure if we need to remove this as well. We are planning to paint the wall with a paint that allows for breathing, so to speak.
We have slightly elevated humidity levels in the basement. One of the measures the inspector suggested was to remove the wallpaper against the outer concrete wall since it doesn't breathe. We have now done this, but underneath (behind) the wallpaper there is some kind of wall reinforcement, maybe fiberglass mesh? Unsure if we need to remove this as well. We are planning to paint the wall with a paint that allows for breathing, so to speak.
But the net is in place for a reason, right? 
So if we remove it, shouldn't we put up a new one?
Is it okay to paint over this kind of net that has already been wallpapered?
So if we remove it, shouldn't we put up a new one?Is it okay to paint over this kind of net that has already been wallpapered?
Apologies, in one of the photos, it looks like a reed mat that has been plastered. Is it really concrete behind it, not lecablock (concrete hollow blocks)? Try drilling into the wall; if it's concrete, it will be noticeable. You can also poke away the reed to see what's behind. If it's a smooth surface, it could be concrete, and if it's a rough surface with small cracks and looks like small pellets, then it's lecablock. Tearing everything down is not a good idea then. Have you tried removing wallpaper or something similar? In any case, it must be repaired with plaster where it has crumbled. Check it out and get back.
Took a couple more pictures so you can see what it looks like under the fabric.J jonaserik said:
An acquaintance thought it was probably just a kind of patterned wallpaper that was used a lot in the past to get some texture when painting and that it might just be removed. Does that sound reasonable?
They asked, the white layer that is right on the concrete, is it plaster? Should we simply plaster over it to make it even? Does plaster "breathe"?
