If your walls require a little TLC, don’t despair – there are plenty of quick and easy ways to fix them up.
Here are twelve of the most common plastering problems and how to solve them:
1. Cracks In The Walls
Small cracks can often be fixed with a simple repair kit, available from most hardware stores. Larger cracks may need to be filled with plaster or cement before being sanded down and painted over. Or you may need to use mesh tape or fibreglass tape reinforcement before applying the compound.
2. Peeling Paint
If the paint is peeling off your walls, likely, that the surface wasn’t properly prepared before painting. To avoid this problem in future, make sure to remove any loose paint, sand the surface smooth and apply a primer before painting.
3. Bubbling Paint
Paint can sometimes bubble up due to moisture in the walls. To fix this problem, simply sand down the bubbled area and repaint.
4. Holes In The Walls
Holes in plaster walls can be filled with a variety of materials, such as plaster, joint compound or spackling paste depending on their size. For large holes, you’ll need to cut a piece of drywall to fit the hole, then secure it in place with drywall screws. Once the hole is filled, it can be sanded down and painted over.
5. Water Damage
Water damage can cause serious problems for plaster walls. If you suspect that your walls have been damaged by water, it’s important to have them inspected by a professional as soon as possible. In some cases, water-damaged plaster may need to be replaced.
6. Crumbling Plaster
If your plaster walls are starting to crumble, likely, they were not original to your home. Crumbling plaster can be repaired with a plaster repair kit, available from most hardware stores. Once the repairs are made, the area can be sanded down and painted over.
7. Sagging Plaster
Sagging plaster is often caused by excessive moisture in the walls. If your plaster walls are sagging, you may need to have them inspected by a professional and repaired or replaced if necessary.
8. Dents In The Walls
To fix dents and bumps in your plaster, simply sand them down until they’re flush with the rest of the wall. Dents in plaster walls can also often be repaired with a simple dent repair kit, available from most hardware stores. If the dent is too large or deep to be repaired, you may need to patch the area with plaster or cement.
9. Stains On The Walls
Stains on plaster walls can often be removed with a simple cleaning solution, such as vinegar or baking soda. If the stains are resistant to cleaning, you may need to paint over them.
10. Damaged Corners
Damaged corners are a common problem in homes with plaster walls. Corner bead is available from most hardware stores and can be used to repair damaged corners. Once the corner bead is in place, the area can be sanded down and painted over.
11. Bubbles
Bubbles in plaster are caused by trapped air pockets. To fix them, simply puncture the bubble with a nail or screw, then apply spackle or drywall compound to the area.
12. Discoloration
Discolouration of plaster can be caused by water damage, smoke, or other stains. To fix it, you’ll need to sand down the affected area until the discolouration is gone, then repaint the area.
With a little bit of effort, most plastering problems can be easily fixed. If you’re not sure how to fix a particular problem, it’s always best to consult with a professional. Click here if you are looking for a plastering company.