Plaster walls and ceilings can become damaged over time due to seasonal changes, water damage, or everyday settling. To prevent further damage, you can call a professional to repair the plaster in your home.
Cracked or crumbled plaster
Cracked plaster can cause a lot of problems, including leaking ceilings. If you notice a large chunk falling from the ceiling, it may indicate that the plaster keys are failing. You can check the ceiling for wooden lath, which might also be causing the problem. Water damage can also lead to crumbling plaster walls.
Once you have identified the problem, you can start repairing the damaged plaster. You can also repair plasterboard ceilings by applying fresh plaster from above. You can also reinforce a failed lath bond by using a jute scrim. You should also remove wallpaper from the wall, as it spoils the appearance of plaster surfaces and can help support faulty plaster underneath. When removing wallpaper, be careful not to damage the rest of the plaster surface. Then, apply a quality plaster primer or finishing paint.
Cracked or crumbled plaster walls are a sign of a problem with your home’s foundation. It’s essential to take the necessary steps to fix the plaster repairs before it gets out of hand. If the cracks are small, you can fill them with filler. You should consult a structural engineer to determine the best way to repair the problem if they are larger.
Fixing small cracks with patching material
Patching plaster walls can be a simple DIY project. You can purchase inexpensive patching material and apply it to small cracks. The patching material can last for about 15 minutes before needing to be sanded. The patching material can also be reused for future wall damage.
You can use a patching material such as Durabond or gauging to fill the cracks. Once it dries, you can prime and paint your plaster walls. You may need to sand the new patching material, so use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth it out.
You may also need a primer to make the patching material adhere more effectively to the surrounding wall. Make sure to match the primer to the wall colour and the patching material. Then, a putty knife spreads the patching material over the crack. Then, allow the patch to dry thoroughly. After a couple of days, apply a second coat of patching material.
While patching plaster is relatively easy, fixing major cracks is not always possible. It will require the assistance of a qualified building professional. You can, however, do it yourself for minor cracks. Patching plaster, also known as drywall compound, comes in a dry powder that must be mixed with water to create a soft-serve consistency.
Fixing large cracks with re-plastering
Re-plastering can be an effective way to fix large cracks in a wall. First, using a utility knife, you should remove any loose plaster from around the crack. You can also use an extra blade to cut a V-notch in the plaster. This notch should be about 1/4″ to 1/2″ wide at the opening and narrowest at the substrate. This angle provides the infill material with a maximum bonding surface.
After removing any loose plaster, you can apply the acrylic conditioner. You can spray it into the crack and holes to create an even bond. Ensure the plaster is in soft contact with the lath and not on the backside, as this can cause a weak bond. To improve adhesion, you can also apply heavily diluted PVA drywall primer to the plaster.
You should also know that re-plastering requires that you reattach wood lath underneath the plaster. While most general contractors use screws and metal washers to do this, Silva recently tested a new method called Big Wally’s Plaster Magic, which uses glue to attach the lath. This method may be more expensive than the former, but it is easier to complete the job and eliminates the need for washers and nails. It also looks better than a screwed connection.
The main goal of this method is to patch the crack. It is essential to ensure that the new plaster does not move around, so the substrate should be firm and secure. Make sure the plaster on the crack side does not move or delaminate during the re-plastering process. If the crack is larger, you may need to hire a structural engineer to examine the wall and ensure it is sound and stable.
Hiring a professional
Hiring a professional to repair plaster walls in your house is usually around $25 per square foot. However, the total cost can increase or decrease depending on how much plastering material is needed and which method is used. Repairing a small hole in a plaster wall can cost about $100 to $300.
When hiring a plaster repair service, find one with a good reputation. You can check out previous work by asking around. You can also ask for references. Online is an excellent place to find plaster repair companies. The website will help you compare plaster repair services offered by different plastering experts.