PLASTERING
Plastering
A flawless paint job or wallpaper installation is only as good as the wall underneath it. At Ben’s Painting & Decorating, our professional plastering services are designed to provide the perfect “glass-smooth” canvas for your interior. Whether you are dealing with cracked, uneven surfaces or need a complete room reskimmed, we combine traditional techniques with modern materials to ensure your walls and ceilings are structurally sound and aesthetically perfect.
Why Choose Us?
- We specialize in high-quality skimming that leaves your walls perfectly level and smooth to the touch, making the subsequent painting or wallpapering look ten times better.
- We don't just cover up cracks; we diagnose the cause and use mesh taping and high-bond plasters to prevent them from returning.
- Plastering is known for being messy. We take extra pride in our heavy-duty floor protection and thorough cleanup process to leave your home spotless.
What We Do (Our Process)
- We inspect the walls for dampness, loose plaster, or "blown" areas. We then apply a high-strength bonding agent (like PVA) to ensure the new plaster sticks perfectly.
- For new walls or damaged ceilings, we install fresh plasterboards and use "scrim" tape on all joints to ensure a crack-free finish.
- We apply the plaster in multiple layers (a "scratch coat" for leveling and a "finish coat" for smoothing), using professional trowels to achieve a uniform thickness.
Frequently asked Questions
Typically, new plaster takes 3 to 5 days to turn from a dark “wet” pink to a uniform light “pale” pink. It must be completely dry before any paint is applied to prevent peeling.
Yes! You must apply a “Mist Coat” (a watered-down emulsion paint) first. This allows the porous plaster to soak up the moisture and creates a strong bond for your final decorative coats.
You should never plaster over wallpaper. While you can plaster over paint, it must be sound and non-flaking. We always recommend a thorough scraping and a bonding agent for the best results.
In many cases, yes. We can rake out the crack, apply fiberglass tape, and reskim the area. However, if the plaster is “sagging,” it may be safer to over-board the ceiling for long-term security.