What do I need to do before the plasterering work starts?

The best thing you can do to help is clear the room (the one that is going to be plastered) of furniture etc as much as possible prior to us arriving. We will help you if you cant move the heavy stuff. Leave the rest to us.

 

Preparation work?

This plays an important part for good results. Skimming on top of old plaster used to require unibonding it (pva) but that doesn't give much time to the plasterer and neither any key for the new plaster to hang on. In recent years, new products have come to market such as 'Bond-it' and 'Betokontakt' bonding agent.

These are similar to pva, but contain a much stronger glue premixed with sand, so when you paint it on the sand stays on the wall and leaves a perfect key for new plaster.... resulting in stronger plaster! Ideal for walls with very smooth surfaces i.e. walls with vinyl paint, artex ceilings, concrete surfaces etc.

 

Will I need to fit a new carpet?

If your rooms are empty we can cover the carpet and apply tape all around, minimising any dirt getting though.

Although if you think your carpet is rotten already and not worth protecting then a less worry for everybody.

 

What does 'Blown Plaster' mean?

This is the plaster that doesn't have contact with the brickwall anymore and is just managing to 'hang' on the wall. It can be recognised by knocking with your fingers.

You will hear a louder/hollower sound on the blown plaster than in the healthy plaster. Blown plaster should be knocked out and patched up to bring it level with other wall before skimming.

 

Plastering over artex?

The usual procedure is as below:

1. Paint it with Bond-it
2. Let it dry
3. Apply a thin coat of bonding if the artex pattern is very rough
4. Skim as normal.

Sometimes, depending on circumstances, other methods can be used such as, plasterboarding on top of artex then skim, or just bonding on top of artex then skim.

 

Painting & Decorating?

When skimming on top of old plaster or plasterboard, you should wait 4-5 days before applying a sealer/base coat and then normal 2 coats of paint.

If your room has been plastered from the brick, the normal drying time is 6-7 days.

For a great finish, after the first coat apply painters caulk around the corners and wherever plaster meets wood

If your room has been plastered from the brick, the normal drying time is around 10 days.

In both cases, it will help if you leave windows open. New plaster will take on a light pink colour which tells you it's ready to paint.

 

Insurance work?

We can provide you with a written quote to present it to your insurance company. It normally depends on them if they accept that quote or not.

 

How long will it take?

Rooms are of different size and may have different needs.

If skimming on top of old plaster, a 4m x 4m x 2.4m room will take roughly a day.

We will always state the length of time