Plaster is a popular and durable material for walls and ceilings in homes. It provides a smooth, long-lasting surface and holds up well under normal wear and tear.
However, damage can occur over time due to regular use, furniture movement, or even minor accidents. Plaster walls can crack, lose chunks, or sustain damage, particularly around corners.
Plasterboard walls are also vulnerable, often resulting in holes, especially after removing wallpaper. Here’s how you can repair plaster damage in your home yourself.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Plaster walls can suffer from cracks, holes, and damaged corners over time. For DIY repairs, start by cleaning the area, drilling holes, applying adhesive, and securing with screws.
For cracks, widen and fill with joint compound. Damaged corners can be patched with filler or plastering beads.
For plasterboard holes, create a patch, use adhesive, and fill the edges. After repairs, sand and repaint the surface. Proper tools and techniques ensure a professional finish, saving time and money.
Different Types Of Plaster Damage And Their Repair Solution
Repairing Loose Or Cracked Plaster
If you’re dealing with cracks or loose plaster, the repair involves securing the lath (the wooden strips behind the plaster) back to the plaster layer. Here’s how to go about it:
1. Drill Holes
Using a 3/16-inch masonry bit, drill holes about 2 inches away from the crack. Be careful not to drill through the lath itself.
Space the holes 4 inches apart along the length of the crack.
2. Apply Acrylic Conditioner
Wear protective eyewear and spray an acrylic conditioner into the holes. Let it penetrate for around 10 minutes.
This helps ensure a strong bond between the plaster and lath.
3. Inject Adhesive
Using a caulking gun, inject adhesive into the drilled holes until it overflows slightly. Once the adhesive hardens, the lath will be secured to the plaster.
4. Secure The Plaster
Fasten the plaster back in place by inserting one 5/8-inch drywall screw with plastic washers every 8 to 12 inches along the crack. These washers help keep the plaster flat against the wall while the adhesive sets.
5. Finish The Repair
Once the adhesive has dried (after 24 to 48 hours), remove the screws and washers. Fill the holes and cracks with joint compound, smoothing the surface as it dries.
Lightly sand and prime the area before painting.
Filling Cracks In Plaster Walls
Smaller cracks can be repaired using filler rather than replacing sections of plaster.
1. Prepare The Crack
Use a Stanley knife to widen the crack into a V-shape. This will allow the filler to better adhere to the plaster.
2. Mix And Apply Filler
Mix filler powder with water until it forms a stiff paste. Lightly dampen the area with water to help the filler bond.
Apply the filler with a knife, ensuring it fills the crack.
3. Sand And Finish
Once the filler has dried, sand the area smooth with medium-grit sandpaper. To complete the job, apply a fresh coat of paint or primer.
Repairing Damaged Corners
Corners are particularly susceptible to damage, especially in high-traffic areas. Here’s how to repair them:
1. Clean The Area
Remove any loose plaster and vacuum the debris.
2. Apply Filler
Using a flexible filling knife, apply filler into the damaged corner. Build it up gradually and allow it to set before sanding it into shape.
3. Use Masking Tape
Wrap masking tape around the corner to protect and support the filler as it sets. Once it’s fully dried, remove the tape and lightly sand the area.
4. Plastering Beads For Major Corner Damage
If the damage is significant, consider using a plastering corner bead. This is fastened to the wall beneath the plaster, allowing you to build the plaster up to it.
Patching Holes In Plasterboard
Repairing holes in plasterboard is easier than solid plaster but still requires care.
1. Prepare A Patch
Cut a patch of plasterboard slightly larger than the hole you’re repairing.
2. Insert The Patch
Apply instant grab adhesive to the patch and insert it into the hole. Use a long screw threaded through the centre of the patch to manoeuvre it into place.
3. Fill And Finish
Once the adhesive sets, apply filler around the edges to smooth the transition between the patch and the wall. Sand, prime, and paint the area as needed.
Painting Over Repaired Plaster
After completing your plaster repairs, you should repaint the area to achieve a uniform finish.
1. Prepare The Surface
Sand the repaired areas lightly to ensure smoothness. Remove any dust or debris using a soft broom.
2. Apply Primer
Apply one coat of a sealer binder, thinned with 5% turpentine, to ensure proper adhesion. Once dry, sand again with 120-grit sandpaper.
3. Paint
Apply high-quality, low-sheen acrylic paint to most surfaces. Use moisture-resistant paint for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Use rollers for larger areas and brushes for cutting in at the edges.
Common Types Of Plaster Damage
Plaster walls, while durable, are not immune to damage over time. Several common types of damage can affect plaster surfaces, each with its causes and repair methods.
Let’s look at these types of plaster damage and why they occur.
1. Cracks
Cracks in plaster are the most common form of damage. These hairline fractures usually develop due to a building’s natural settling over time.
The rigid plaster can crack under stress as a house or structure shifts slightly. Temperature fluctuations and humidity can also contribute to cracks forming as the plaster expands and contracts.
Cracks can range from minor, superficial lines to larger fissures along walls or ceilings. While smaller cracks are more of a cosmetic issue, larger cracks can indicate structural problems or deeper issues with the wall or ceiling.
2. Chunks Missing
Missing chunks of plaster typically occur in high-traffic areas or places where the wall is prone to accidental bumps, scrapes, or impact. These areas include hallways, near doorways, or places where furniture is frequently moved or placed against the walls.
Pieces of plaster can also break off due to more aggressive causes, such as nails being hammered into the wall or objects being dropped against it. When a chunk of plaster is missing, it exposes the underlying material, leaving an unsightly patch and potentially weakening the wall further.
3. Damaged Corners
Corners of plaster walls are particularly vulnerable to damage. Since they are naturally exposed, they are more prone to getting chipped or knocked during everyday activities.
Damaged corners often occur from moving furniture, bumping into the wall, or general wear and tear over time. Repairing corners can be tricky because achieving a clean, sharp edge requires careful filling and sanding.
Repeated damage to a corner may necessitate plastering beads—metal or plastic strips designed to reinforce corners and prevent future chipping. These beads are embedded in the plaster and provide a more durable finish.
4. Holes
Holes in plaster walls are typically caused by accidental impacts or by the removal of items like screws, nails, or wallpaper. When wallpaper is stripped from plaster walls, especially if done hastily, the force can pull chunks of plaster away, leaving behind unsightly holes.
Plasterboard walls, in particular, are more susceptible to holes than traditional plaster. These walls are softer and easily punctured if something heavy or sharp hits the surface.
Holes can also appear when plumbing or electrical work is carried out, and workers cut into the wall to access the underlying pipes or wiring.
Tools And Materials Needed
Before starting any repair work, gathering the right tools and materials is essential. Here’s a list to help you get started:
- Pre-mixed plaster or plaster mix
- Joint compound
- Acrylic conditioner
- Drywall screws and plastic washers
- Trowel
- Masonry bit (3/16 inch)
- Caulking gun
- Vacuum
- Sponge
- Stanley knife
- Filler powder and mixing tools
- Medium-grit sandpaper
- Roller, brushes, and high-quality paint (if repainting)
- Masking tape and drop sheets
Tip:
- Avoid old plaster products: Plaster products that are too old may lose their adhesive properties, making them difficult to apply and less effective in repair.
Conclusion
Repairing plaster yourself can save both time and money. From fixing cracks to patching holes and repainting, these steps ensure your walls look as good as new.
Whether patching small areas or taking on a larger repair, careful preparation, the right tools, and following proper techniques will help you achieve a professional finish.
FAQs About PLaster
What Is The Difference Between Cement And Plaster?
When applied to a flat surface, the coat of plaster is giving an extremely smooth finish, so it’s perfect for interior surfaces. Cement rendering involves a much higher proportion of sand for additional strength. The sand is also usually much more coarse, which helps increase the strength of the cement render.
What Material Is Used To Plaster A Wall?
plaster, a pasty composition (as of lime or gypsum, water, and sand) that hardens on drying and is used for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions. Plastering is one of the most ancient building techniques.
Why Do You Plaster Walls?
By applying plaster, you will give your walls a strong, smooth, durable finish. Not only that, but a well-plastered room will help to keep old walls in good condition, provide the perfect base for paint and help with soundproofing.
Which Is Better Gypsum Or Cement Plaster?
Gypsum is a superior finish compared to cement plaster. However, it is advisable to go with gypsum plaster for the internal walls and ceilings and use cement plaster for the exteriors of the building.
Can You Paint Plaster?
Plaster can be easily painted with the same techniques as drywall. Even with a good coat of primer, plaster walls are notoriously thirsty for paint. Using a roller for open spaces and brushes around trim and borders, spread an even coat of your choice of paint. Don’t try to completely cover the wall in one go.