How to Repair Plaster Walls?

Plaster over masonry walls may be subjected to cracks, holes or dents. They may even start crumbling due to the ingress of moisture content through the walls. Here we will discuss some of the repair techniques recover a plaster over a masonry wall. It is always recommended to undergo repair of plaster instead of going for a plaster replacement as possible. The steps involved in repairing a damaged plaster over a masonry wall are explained one by one.

Also Read: Different Cracks in Masonry Walls

Things Required to Repair a Plaster Wall

The general things you will need while repairing a plaster over a masonry wall are:

1. Sandpaper
2. Trowel
3. Towel
4. Patching Plaster or a Ready Mix Plaster
5. Fiberglass Tape (Optional)

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Buy Sandpaper Online

According to the facility and the service each item provides, you can use any alternative that is available in the market.

Procedure to Repair a Cracked Plaster Over Masonry Wall

Step 1: The wall is first cleaned by breaking away loose pieces of plaster. After this, the surface is sand by means of sandpaper. The area is then cleaned by means of a clean towel.

Step 2: The cracks observed in the plaster wall are filled properly. If the crack observed in the crack is greater than 1/4th inch wide, then a piece of fiberglass tape is placed over the crack and the patching plaster. The patching plaster is then allowed to dry.

Step 3: Once dried, a second coat of patching plaster is applied all along the wall. It is allowed to dry. The surface is again coated with patching plaster if necessary. Once the coat has dried completely, the surface is fine-grit with sandpaper.

Procedure to Repair a Hole in Plaster Over Masonry Wall

Step 1: Loose plaster over the surface is chipped and cleaned. The area is then cleaned by means of a towel.

Step 2: The ready mix plaster is then mixed with water in a bucket. The preparation is as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 3: With the help of a medium-width trowel, the hole is filled with the plaster. The plaster compound in excess is scraped such that it sits one-forth ich below the finished surface of the plaster. The plaster is then allowed to dry.

Step 4: The second coat of plaster is applied using the trowel on the surface. A hole larger than 4 inches must be plastered keeping it just below the existing surface of the wall. A hole less than this can finish to the level of the existing surface so that a smooth appearance is observed.

Step 5: A third coat is applied if necessary once the before coat is dried. Smooth the plaster until a smooth surface is obtained. After drying the plaster, it is lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper.

Warnings

1. If the cracks are observed in the walls extensively, then go for a detailed check for any structural issues. Or else the cracks will reappear in some other area.
2. Painting after the plastering must be performed maximum with lead-free paints.

Also Read: Structural and Non-Structural Cracks