ABSTRACT
A great deal of water is introduced into a building during construction; some as mixing water for concrete mortar or plaster, and some as rainwater due to careless storage of building materials. Until the 1950s it was accepted practice not to decorate new houses for at least six months and then only with use of porous finishes, such as distemper or, later, emulsion paints. Wallpaper, which although in those days actually was paper and did allow the passage of water vapour (as opposed to the almost impervious vinyl type) was not applied for about a year (see also item 9 on p. 83; Recommendations to occupiers).
