A thicker layer will hold more water and take longer to dry out. Under extreme conditions of high humidity, fresh plaster can take several weeks before it is completely dry.Īnother thing that affects the drying time of fresh plaster, is how thickly the plaster has been applied. If conditions are damp and there are high levels of moisture in the air new plaster can take longer to dry fully. Once the plaster is applied to the surfaces this water needs to dry out to form a smooth, flat and hard-wearing surface.įor more details on how to achieve the best mix every time read our Guide How To Mix Plaster.įresh plaster will take 2-3 days to dry when applied to plasterboard and around 7 days to dry when applied with a backing plaster or undercoat. To achieve the right mixture a 55lb (25kg) bag of plaster needs approximately 2.5 gallons (11.5 litres) of clean water. And you’d be surprised just how inexpensive these services cost.Plaster is mixed with clean water into a thick creamy mixture before it is applied to either a wall or ceiling using a plastering float and other plastering tools. For this reason, most homeowners would better benefit from hiring a licensed general contractor for accurate and professional drywall or plaster wall repair services. It takes practice and a bit of handyman knowledge to do a good job. Patching up a plaster wall is not a novice job. Professional Drywall and Plaster Patching Services Wait at least 30 minutes for everything to dry. Use your sponge to touch up any inconsistencies or imperfections on the wall. Mix another batch of the lime putty mixture, this time using less gauging plaster to get a softer product that’s easier to work with.Īpply a thin and final coat over the mesh and previously-lain plaster. Leave a slight decompression for the final coat later on.Ĭut out another sheet of fiberglass mesh at a size that matches the hole and firmly press it into the wet plaster. Apply this mixture to the exposed laths and around the edges of the holes, using firm pressing motions. Use your trowel to mix all of this until you get a dough-like result. Pour some bonding agent in the center and continue to mix in handfuls of gauging plaster until you achieve the proper consistency. This ensures even re-hydration.Īpply a heap of the putty to your mixing board in a ring shape. Allow the lime to disintegrate in the water for at least 20 minutes, until a thin layer of water rests on the top. Next, prepare your lime putty by combining your hydrated dolomitic lime with water until you get a consistency similar to yogurt. Next, apply the bonding agent over the latticework, as well as, all the plaster that is to be patched or re-coated.Ĭover all of this, except for the small cracks, with your fiberglass mesh tape. Now, use your angle plane or drywall screen to smooth out the hole around the plaster. Be sure to wipe away all the loose plaster crumbs, dust, and debris. With all supplies ready to go, use the chisel to remove the old plaster from between the latticework. You will most likely need a chisel, a trowel, lime putty (combination of hydrated dolomitic lime and water), clean dry cloths, fiberglass mesh tape, angle plane or drywall screen, a bonding agent, a mixing board, and a colorless sponge. Either way, patching up a plaster wall is possible and can be done all on your own with the right tools and knowledge.įirst, gather all your necessary supplies. Other times, crumbled or soft plaster will need to be completely removed down to the latticework and to the outer edges of firm plaster, and then re-done from start to finish. Sometimes, if the plaster is firm and falls off in large pieces, they can simple be reattached and re-sealed. Plaster is applied to latticework, or laths, which are basically narrow boards or strips of wood that create a framework for a wall. Drywall Repair and Painting 31 Patching Plaster
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