Basic Advice on Plastering
Anyone who has ever used or worked with plaster knows it is a difficult material because of its nature to harden quickly. After the plaster dries up, it hardens to become a stone like substance that can't be used. In fact, if applied properly to walls, plaster can be as hard as cement with a smooth finish offering good soundproofing and a surface that can't be damaged easily.As one of the oldest methods of construction, plaster has seen both technological development and growth. Used with various different additives in Italy during the Renaissance period, plaster was the material of choice for many renowned artists that used it for decorative purposes. However, over the years the intrinsic nature of plaster limited its uses and other more flexible materials came to be developed.
Today, one of the most preferred techniques is dry walling. Drywall method is becoming extremely popular in UK, though you can see fine examples of plastering in some older homes around the country. While learning how to plaster is both an art and science, it also requires a good number of years of experience. More and more people have, therefore, limited the role of plaster to repairing holes and cracks in existing plaster. It can help you save a few pounds if you learn how to repair your existing plastered walls and ensure the longevity of your house's structure.
In this article we'll give you some of the basic advice on how to plaster or repair cracks and holes in Walls and Ceilings. So let's get started.
How To Plaster Walls
- 1. Preparing for plaster repair: Plaster repair work is quite straightforward though it can be time consuming and depends on the amount of repair work that needs to be done. The most important thing before you start the repair work is to have the correct materials and tools at hand. If you simply want to repair cracks and holes in your walls, a patching plaster or POP (plaster of Paris) will give you better results. A few drywall finishing knives in various sizes will be all the tools you need.
- 2. Preparing the surface: The wall surface to be repaired needs to be cleaned properly. It must be free of dirt, dust, grease, and other such things. You must also make sure that all loose plaster is removed carefully. After having cleaned the surface, the next step in how to plaster cracks is to dampen the part of the wall that needs to be repaired. Next on, you need to open up the smaller cracks to be at least ¼" wide. Better still try to widen the crack at the bottom and not the top as this will ensure that the patching plaster stays in place upon hardening.
- 3. Preparing to apply the plaster: As you learn how to plaster, you realize that applying wet plaster to the hole or the crack can be quite a fun job! The art of applying wet plaster to a vertical surface for repair is similar to spreading icing on a freshly baked cake. Also aim to spread the plaster evenly and as smoothly as possible. Just leave a very small amount of excess plaster on the wall. This extra plaster can be scraped off later on. The next thing to do is, wait for the plaster to dry and while it hardens use a damp sponge to smooth the repair surface.
How To Plaster Ceilings
Repairing ceiling using plaster requires plenty of expertise and can prove to be difficult for the inexperienced. Ceilings can be damaged by water, or cave in or fail structurally. Nevertheless, one of the most commonly observed cause of ceiling damage is the expansion and contraction of the wooden frame members as well as the lath boards on which plastering is done over years of use. Incidents of plaster ceilings caving in are not uncommon.
You can repair the cracks and holes in your ceiling, by following the same steps as mentioned for wall repair. However, ensure that you put on safety goggles to protect your eyes against tiny pieces of plaster that may fall during the repair process.
Learning how to plaster is a skill that requires patience and persistence. Fortunately, even though you may have never seen plastering being done, let alone plaster yourself, with the correct set of tools, techniques and attitude you can do a rather good job at repairing the cracked plaster in your home.
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