Plastering Walls

Step 1 - Preparation

Before Men@WorX starts working on walls, we lay down a dust sheet to protect your floors and collect any later debris or plaster spillage. Men@WorX makes sure the area we need to plaster is free from dust and loose debris. This is especially important for plastering an older existing wall. We also need to cover any holes and cracks we may find. If we are plastering over newly erected plasterboards, we use screen tape to mask all the joints between the boards.

Step 2 - Apply PVA to walls

Men@WorX uses PVA for plastering and bonding which creates the best result and ensures that the layer of plaster we are applying will dry evenly. We dilute the PVA in a 1:4 ratio – one-part PVA and four parts water. Men@WorX rolls or brushes the PVA mixture onto the wall and we make sure the entire walls are covered. The first layer of plaster is applied straight afterwards as long as the PVA glue has become a bit sticky. For best results, we always follow the instructions given by the manufacturer of the glue.

Step 3 - Mix plaster

When Men@WorX starts to mix the wall plaster, we make sure to wear dust masks before we open up the bags. We mix the plaster into cold water (the composition of both is 50/50), and we whisk the mixture briskly until it has a thick and creamy consistency. We always mix the plaster into the water and not the other way around. 

Step 4 - Apply plaster

Now we are ready to apply the first coat of plaster using the hawk board, the trowel (used as a spatula for plastering) and the float ensuring that our plastering technique is right.

Men@WorX spreads the plaster firmly upwards and we flattening the float at the end of each sweep making sure for a smooth surface of plastering. 

Men@WorX works from the bottom left-hand corner and upwards, filling a section from bottom to top before we move on to the next section. We use small amounts of plaster each time in combination with lots of pressure on the float, as this is the best way to ensure a smooth look and avoids excess plaster falling off the wall. We repeat until the entire walls are covered. 

Step 5 - Skimming and Smoothing

After the first coat of plaster has been applied, we wait approximately 20 minutes to let the plaster dry slightly. Men@WorX then gets rid of lumps and bumps by skimming and smoothing over with the trowel.   We also, will smooth out all the corners and ends such as the bottom and top of the walls - these areas are usually difficult to plaster. We use a wet brush to even the edges out.

Step 6 - Scrape

Although this is an optional step, Men@WorX prefers to scrape the surface before adding a second coat. This is done for the second coat to adhere properly. We use a tool called a devilling float, which is specially designed for the task - it is a wooden float with nails in it.  If our clients prefer not to use this step, we make sure the first coat on the wall is still wet before applying the second layer of plaster.

Step 7 - Add another coat of plaster

After devilling or scratching the first level of plaster, Men@WorX applies a second and final coat. This is a thinner consistency than the first coat, we make sure to dilute the plaster mixture with some more water. We aim to only plaster a thin 2mm layer, then we leave the plaster to dry slightly.

Step 8 - Finishing touches

After the plaster has dried slightly we need to polish up our work. We do this by adding water to the surface using a spray gun. We spray the edges of the plaster and run the trowel over it to smoothen out the surface. Using inward strokes when doing this.

We also use a wet brush for the job, especially around the tricky edges. We finish by running a clean float over the entire surface to flatten out any lumps and bumps. Once the plaster has dried out completely, we use some sanding paper to remove any excess plaster we may find.

How long does it take for the plaster to dry?

Generally, a newly plastered wall can take anywhere from one to two weeks to completely dry. In some cases, it can take longer. But the following are things you should consider when waiting for the plaster to dry:

• The plaster material used
• How many layers of plaster have been applied
• The temperature and weather when plastering
• Whether plaster has been used on backing plasterboard
• The room's humidity
• The thickness of every layer of plaster

As a rough guide, you can expect small repairs and patches of plaster to dry within one week; entire plasterboard walls in two weeks; and several plaster layers on a wall within two to three weeks. But if you are plastering during cold and wet conditions, the drying time can take longer. To recognise dry plaster, you should see a creamy pink or pale tone. If you see shades of red or brown, this means the plaster is still wet. 

Painting over plaster

One key question likely to come up during your project is can you paint over plaster? The short answer is yes. But, once the walls are dry and you start decorating, it is important to learn how to paint plastered walls properly. If you paint over plaster that has not fully dried, this can cause problems such as cracking paint, peeling and dark patches.

Before painting, we recommend you apply a mist coat to your plastered walls. This is beneficial for smoothing walls for painting because it prevents any moisture from being absorbed from the paint. If you decide not to use a mist coat, you can expect the paint to dry too quickly and this can result in cracking and an uneven surface. 

The mist coat stops the paint and plaster from bonding and you only need to apply one layer before painting. It is recommended you wait 24 hours for the mist coat to sit well on top of the plaster. 

Plastering Skimming Painting Waterproofing with Men@WorX – We get it done!

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