Can I plaster over my wallpaper?

The answer is no. If you are going to re-plaster a wallpapered wall, it is best to remove the wallpaper before the work is started. This is necessary because the plaster needs to adhere to the wall, which is compromised by wallpaper. Also, after applying the plaster, you should wait a while before painting on it, and it is even advisable to seal the wall with the help of a mist coat, which prevents the suction effect with some paints.

What is lime plaster?

Lime plaster is another variation made with sand, water and lime. It is sometimes used by artists and builders and was already in use in ancient times. It is not often used in Australia Lime plaster has several advantages, including its flexibility and durability, as it protects softer materials from shear stresses. The high pH of lime plaster also makes it a natural fungicide, which means that you are unlikely to find mould on your walls.

How long does it take for the plaster to dry?

The drying time of plaster varies from type to type. Some plaster can set within two to three hours, but it is always advisable to wait a while before painting over it. We suggest that a top coat of plaster will take around two to three days to dry completely, while a bottom coat will take up to a week to finish. Even if you can’t wait to start painting, you need to be patient to get the best results, which means waiting as long as necessary before painting over the new plaster. This will give the plaster enough time to dry properly and ensure that there are no dark spots on the wall.

Skimming is a term used in plastering and refers to a method of smoothing the wall with a thin layer of plaster. Usually, smoothing a surface that has already been plastered is a challenging task. Therefore, it is always advisable to hire a professional because if you do it yourself, the surface could look even worse than before.

How messy is plastering?

Plastering is messy work. The more you can clear the room of all furniture and other fixtures, the less dust will be settling in your home. We do ask if you can clear out a room as much as possible too ensure that your furniture does not get dirty. It also allows us to have space so we can move freely and easily. As professional plasterers we do carry drop sheets to ensure we do our part to keep your home as clean as it can be in this situation.

Plaster Repairs For Plaster Walls

Repairing a Hole in a Plaster Wall

Plaster is a great building material and quite robust if you take care of it. Keeping your plastered walls in good condition will save you money in the long run and minimize the cost of extensive plaster repairs when those small plaster cracks turn into large plaster repairs. In Sunshine Coast, you can quickly repair small plaster cracks yourself, but when it comes to larger cracks, professional plasterer help must be taken.

Repairing small holes and cracks in plaster is not tricky and doesn’t take much time, but getting them fixed is important.

Over time, moisture damage can occur in cracks or breaks in plasterboard. Sunshine Coast climate is already humid, so the plasterboard must remain intact and resilient. Dust can also accumulate in cracks, and when moisture comes in contact with the dust, the crack enlarges, and the area discolours, making it very noticeable.

How to fill/cover small cracks in plaster?

Drywall touch-up kits are available at any hardware store and are easy to use. The Poly Kit, which is available from Bunnings, is easy to use and can touch up cracks and holes up to 8 cm in size, and everything you need is included in the kit.

It’s always good to know what colour the walls are painted and have some paint left over for touch-ups.

If you have a lot of large-sized cracks or holes, you may need to call in the experts. At Brisbane Plaster Pro, we can quickly repair and patch damaged walls.

Preventing Plaster Damage

The most common plaster repair we have to perform is when a doorknob or door handle has punched a hole in the wall. This damage can easily be prevented by making sure each door has a stop.

They only cost a few dollars and will save you hundreds of dollars in plaster repairs.

If you live in a rental, don’t risk not getting your security deposit back because you have wall damage.

Ask your property manager to put door stops on the doors or spend the money. This will save you trying to fix the plaster damage yourself or having the property management company use your deposit money to pay a Brisbane handyperson to repair the damage.

If you hang pictures on the walls, use suitable screws to hang them.

Screws hold better in drywall than nails or tacks. Also, the screw causes less damage to the plaster surface. Nailing a nail or stapler can chip the plaster when driving the nail.

Our tropical climate in Brisbane and the additional humidity in the walls weakens the plaster and causes the plasterboard to absorb moisture and expand and crack, which is an ideal breeding ground for mould and mildew.

Gypsum can also crack when the house shifts on its foundation. This is also known as settling and usually occurs in a new house as the foundation adapts to its surroundings.

In case of drought, it causes the soil to dry out and compact, resulting in cracks in various parts of the walls of many new and older homes.

Getting the soil surrounding the house to a healthy moisture content will alleviate the problem of shifting foundations and the opposite if you tend to have a flooded area with poor drainage. It is a major task to direct water away from your home, and you may need to call a plumber or landscaper.

plaster repair — hand holding plastering tool

When do I need to call a plasterer?

If you notice cracks widening near the top of the ceiling, the ceiling may be shifting or moving.
The drywall has buckled and may need to be re-screwed to the wall if you notice the plaster bulging or buckling.
If the plaster is either too heavy for the ceiling ties and is screwed incorrectly, or there are not enough ceiling ties to support the weight of the plaster.

Contact our professional plastering team is always on hand to help you with all your plastering and repair needs in Sunshine Coast