2019/10/26 How to Repair Plaster Walls?

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How to Repair Plaster Walls?

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Repairing of plaster walls is needed from time to time as the building ages. The
most common problem with plaster walls is crumbling, water damage, cracking or
pulling away from the lath behind it. Repairing process of plaster walls is presented
in the following sections.

Repairing of Plaster walls 

Procedures involved in repair of plaster are:

1. Identify Plaster Wall Problem

The type of damage shall be specified prior to the commence of repairing operation.
In this manner, the most suitable technique and equipment can be employed to
repair the damage and best outcome could be achieved.

Table 1 provide types of plaster wall problems and their causes, and Fig.1 to Fig.3
shows number of plaster wall problems that need to be repaired.

Table 1 Common types of plaster wall problem and their causes

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Common types of
plaster wall Cause of the plaster wall problem
problem

Hairline cracks due to moisture evaporation, delaminating

Cracks crack because plaster pulling away from the lath behind it,
and Settlement Cracks because of building settlement.

activity inside the home like a collision due to moving a piece

Damage
of furniture

Blistering improper slaking of lime particles in the plaster

Flaking poor bond

Discoloration Water seepage

Fig. 1: Delaminating cracks in plaster wall

Fig. 2: Hairline cracks in plaster wall

Fig. 3: settlement cracks

2. Setting up Scaffolding

Scaffolding is required for the proper execution of the repair work should be
erected. Ladder can also be used in case of scaffolding if the work can be done
safely.

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2019/10/26 How to Repair Plaster Walls?

Fig. 4: Setting up scaffolding or ladder

3. Protective Measure

Doors, windows, floors, articles of furniture etc. and such other parts of the
building should be protected from being splashed by mortar.

4. Cutting of Old Plaster

The mortar of the patch, where the existing plaster has cracked, crumbled or
sounds hollow when gently tapped on the surface, is first removed.

The patch is be cut out to a square or rectangular shape at position where repairing
is needed. The edges of cut plaster is made under cut to provide a neat joint.

5. Preparation of Surface

The masonry joints which become exposed after removal of old plaster is raked out
to a minimum depth of 10 mm in the case of brick work and 20 mm in the case of
stone work.

The raking is carried out uniformly with a raking tool, and loose mortar is dusted
off. The surface is then thoroughly washed with water, and kept wet till plastering
is commenced.

In case of concrete surfaces, the old plaster is thoroughly scrubbed with wire
brushes after the plaster had been cut out, and pock marked the surface is
roughened by wire brushing, and all the resulting dust and loose particles cleaned

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2019/10/26 How to Repair Plaster Walls?

off. The surface is washed and cleaned and kept wet till plastering is commenced.

Fig. 5: Surface preparation

6. Application of Plaster

Mortar of specific mix such as 1:4 or 1:6 with the good quality plaster sand is used.
After the plaster has been applied to the surface, finishing of plaster is done to
match with the old surrounding plaster.

Fig. 6: Application of plaster

7. Curing of Plaster

Curing of plaster is necessary to prevent cracking. It should be done for at least 3

days at regular interval.

8. Finishing of Plaster

After the plaster is thoroughly cured and dried the surface is then painted with the
color of the surrounding area.

Read More:

Special Plastering Materials for Different Purposes Used in Building

Construction (https://theconstructor.org/building/special-plastering-materials-
types-uses/15901/)

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2019/10/26 How to Repair Plaster Walls?

Types of Plaster Finishes and External Rendering for Buildings

(https://theconstructor.org/building/types-plaster-finishes-external-rendering-
buildings/14532/)

Rate Analysis of Plastering with Cement Mortar

(https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/rate-analysis-of-plastering-with-
cement-mortar/9620/)

About Gopal Mishra

(https://theconstructor.org/author/gopal-mishra/)

Gopal Mishra is a Civil Engineer from NIT Calicut and has more than 10 years of
experience in Civil Engineering and Construction. He is the founder of The Constructor.

©2019 The Constructor - Civil Engineering Home

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