Let's talk Plastering

Like most Build and Renovation Projects, we appreciate Our Professional Tradesman who is likely to have learnt their Art through Years of Studying whilst being Mentored as an Apprentice.

Plastering is one of those Jobs which need lots of Patience and Skill.

Still, when discussing your Project with your Professional Plasterer or deciding on a bit of DIY Plastering, it is never a bad thing to understand the Professionalism needed to apply Plaster.

What is Plastering?

Plastering is a process that protects walls and provides a smooth finish to enable paint or other forms of finish to be applied.

Plaster can be applied to Walls or Ceiling, Inside or Outside.

Types of Plaster or Plastering will mean a different finish and strength to Your Plaster.

It is essential to understand how your Wall or Ceiling has been plastered before applying Paint or Accessories.

Plastering improves the look of your wall or ceiling with a Smooth, Clean Surface, increases Durability, and increases Fire Protection.

Professional Plasterers will break Plastering Projects into Stages, and like any Project, a Key Stage in Plastering is Preparation.

Placing Plastic Sheets or any secure Covering where you will be Plastering is essential to stop any Plaster falling onto protected areas.

Mixing Plaster is a messy job, so if you are mixing in a different area, it is also a good tip to ensure the site is fully protected.

A Plasterers Bath is an essential piece of kit, and should be made from a Heavy Duty Material.

Having the Right tools to hand is essential; these include

• Heavy Duty Plasterers Bath
• Dust Mask
• Protective Clothing
• Mixing Drill
• Paint Brush
• A platform for Working at Height - Builders Trestles
• Plasterers Trowel
• Flexible Bucket
• Bucket Trowel
• Hawk Board
• Cleaning Tools, Broom, Dustpan etc

Essential Materials

• Plaster Bags - British Gypsum Thistle Multi-Finish
• Scrim Tape
• PVA Glue
• Plaster Beads
• Clean Water
• Plastering Beads (If Needed)
• Plaster Angle Beads (If Needed)
• Plaster Stop Bead (If Needed)
• Size Three Builders Trestles

The preparation does not end there.

Ensure your Surface Area is clean and remove any dust and clean any dirt away.

Any Large Holes will need to be filled using a Bonding Coat.

Use a Tray and Roller to apply your PVA Glue to the entire surface. PVA is essential if you are not plastering straight onto Plasterboards

PVA will prime the wall and reduce Surface Dust

PVA Glue is generally not required if you are plastering straight onto plasterboard but can be used on older PlasterBoards if you feel you need some extra Bond.

Now, you can Mix your Plaster.

Using a Flexible Bucket, add your Bag of Plaster Mix with Cold Water and use your Mixing Drill.

Continue mixing until your new Plaster is smooth without any lumps.

Now, you are happy with your full bucket of Plaster, and it's time for the tricky part.

Word by Word instructions on applying Plaster onto Walls and Ceilings do not justify this primary function of plastering.

The Broken down the stages of applying Plaster are

• Transfer Plaster from Mixing Bucket to Hawk Board using Bucket Trowel
• Place your Plastering Clean Trowel at the Bottom Edge of your Hawk Board
• Push the Plastering Trowel Forwards and Tilt the Hawk Board
• Your Trowel should now be facing upwards with Mix
• Place the Trowel at Forty-Five Degrees on the Wall
• With a light Pressure, work Upwards on walls.
• Follow these steps on the entire Wall
• The First Coat of Plaster will start to Dry Quickly
• Apply the Second and final Coat of Plaster slightly thinner
• Using a Clean Trowel - Even out

It's a real art from the second you start plastering !

You now need to Work out if the Plaster is set before the second coat is applied.

Press your finger into your Plaster to check what stage it is before applying the second coat.

The Plaster needs to be in transition between wet and hard before applying the second coat.

If your fingermark remains and the Plaster does not feel too wet, you are ready to go.

So, a very brief overview of Plastering.

We would suggest discussing your needs with a Plastering Professional.

However, if you want to give it a go yourself, your local Tradesman would generally be happy to help with any advice or information.

Online Videos are also a Great source for Learning how to Plaster, and you can also take Plastering Courses at Centres located in most Regions.

The main objective of this Blog is to provide a better understanding of the Stages of Plastering to allow you to make a more informed decision for the DIY Plastering route or using your Local Professional Plasterer.

Whatever route you go down, Plastering is both essential in the Majority of Remodelling or New Building Projects.

You can find Qualified Plasterers through Credited Associations including the Federation of Master Builders and Directory and Review Sites including Checkatrade.

We think you will agree, whoever is Plastering on your Project, they Deserve their chosen Cuppa!