Making a wall crack bigger doesn't sound like the smartest idea, but nevertheless, it is the best way to go about repairing any plaster cracks – including repairing ceiling cracks. Score the crack to make it a little wider Drywall tape: like Duck tape from Amazonġ.Drywall joint compound: such as Wallboard from Amazon.A drywall knife, like this putty knife set from Walmart.Warm water, steam, chemical removers, poultice systems and proprietary wallpaper stripper may all be successful in removing paint from plasterwork but always undertake a test first on a small unobtrusive area.Ī toothbrush and a sharpened stick are useful tools, but be careful to avoid any accidental digging with scrapers. Plasterwork detail is often obscured under paint layers but take great care when attempting to strip these areas. These incorporated a hessian scrim that strengthened the back and were formed in flexible moulds. Later details were formed using fibrous plasterwork. Where decorative plasterwork, such as cornicing, is damaged repairs can usually be undertaken by a skilled plasterer.Įarly plasterwork was ‘run’ in situ using a template and running it around the top of the wall over wet plaster to create the profile of the cornice. This in turn is scratched and then a thin ‘setting’ or ‘skimming coat’ is used to create a smooth surface. Often referred to as a ‘scratch’ coat, the first plaster coat creates a reasonably flat surface and is ‘scratched’ in a diamond pattern to provide a key for the next coat.įor good-quality work, a ‘floating coat’ or a ‘straightening coat’ is applied next and is worked until perfectly level. If staining continues to persist, consider ‘dry lining’ by fixing battens to the wall and applying laths and lime plaster.If you decide to replaster stained areas, when the problem is not severe it is sometimes suggested to use a slurry of cow dung painted on to the masonry before applying new lime plaster.Where staining appears through a chimney breast it may be necessary to replaster.Ensure the wall has been allowed to dry out fully before applying plaster.Always treat the cause of any damp problems, not the symptoms.Soot staining from flues can often be seen on the surface above a fireplace. If these continue to come to the surface, plaster may have to be stripped. Where damp is present, salts may pose a problem. Unlike modern plasters, lime plasters that have become wet generally dry out with their integrity intact so need not be removed. Use a steam stripper to remove stubborn coatings, being careful not to allow steam to penetrate the plaster. Apply warm water or proprietary wallpaper stripper with a sponge or brush.Gently use a scraper but avoid scoring through the surface into the plaster.Always undertake a test first on a small unobtrusive area.When removing, proceed with care and be aware that wallpaper may be acting as a support to defective plaster underneath. Wallpapers, paints and other finishes can spoil the appearance of plaster surfaces and may trap moisture.
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