Guide and Types of Plastering Services

Plaster is used for coating the walls and ceilings. It gives smoothness to the coarse surface of the walls.  It is a pasty composition that hardens after drying. Plastering is one of the most ancient building techniques being used.  Initially, people used to plaster walls with mud. Slowly mud was replaced by more durable materials and throughout the history, these materials kept improving and changing with the passage of time. Plaster provides cleanliness and sanitation in buildings and is also fire resistant.

Types of plasters: What type o plaster will be used in your wall will very much depend on the surface of the wall. The rough surface will require mechanical adhesion when plaster is applied. Types of plasters that are majorly used are:

1. Lime plaster: It is a mixture of sand and lime. It is a shrinkable material and is mostly used for restoring the ancient structures.

2. Cement plaster: It is a mixture of grey cement and water. It requires a skilled labor perform this type of plastering. It can e applied to both the interior and the exterior of the wall.

3. Gypsum plaster: It is the most widely used plaster and is the most durable one and is available in a variety of types. You can apply it in finished as well as an undercoat.

Types of finish:

1. Smooth finish

2. Rough finish

3. Sand finish

4. Pebble finish

5. Scrapped finish

6. Textured finish

How to plaster: Here are some points that will help you to conduct the plastering process efficiently.

1. Plastering is a messy task and can ruin the floor. Therefore, before starting the plaster, you should cover your floor.

2. Any dirt or grit can spoil the finish of the walls, therefore, keep your area clean. Before starting the plaster, vacuum clean your area.

3. Keep all your tools handy.

4. Wash your tools.

5. Seal the wall.

6. Dry the wall before plastering because of it won't stick to the wet and damp wall.

7. Remove the sockets, wires, curtains and other things from the wall and nearby area.

8. For making the paste fill 25 per cent of your bucket with plaster and then add the powder to it slowly. An electric drill will make your mixing task easier. Make a smooth paste. Keep adding plaster till it becomes like a thick whipped cream.

9. Keep your tools wet it will prevent the plaster from drying and sticking.

10. You should load your hand board with two scoops of plaster.

11. Start from the corner and then move to the center.

12. You can lay down the first coat roughly.

13. Once you have applied the plaster let it set for to 15 minutes.  Then smoothed it gently.

14. Make sure that the thickness of your coating is right.

15. Once you are done with the plastering, put your tools in a bucket of water to avoid the plaster to dry in them.

16. Once the first coat is partially dry apply a second coat and it should be thinner.

17. Dampen the surface with spray water. Then smoothen the edges.

18. If your wall is made from different sized stones it will need three coats of plaster.

19. You can’t fix the smoothness later. Keep doing it till you achieve the desired result.

20. Don’t paint the wall till the plaster is fully dried. Plastering could be a tough task but can be achieved to perfection if done skillfully and patiently. With the right tools, right mixture and right skills, your wall will become smooth and will appear in the way you want it to look.