Asked on Jul 29, 2013

How to Fix Plaster Walls?

What is the best way to fix a plaster hole/crack in the wall or ceiling of a house?
  11 answers
  • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Jul 29, 2013
    I have the same question too, Bethany! Looking forward to some answers.
  • I hope we can get an answer, @Jacqueline Elaine !
  • They make a product that looks much like a window screen. It comes in rolls about four feet wide and various lengths. The old loose offending material is removed. The trick here is to decide what is really loose and what is simply breaking away because of to much force is being used to remove it. Then an adhesive material is rolled onto the remaining wall area and the screen material is placed on this sticky glue. Once its on a 2nd coat of the adhesive is applied directly over it to imbed it onto the wall surface. Once dry, about a day, a thin skim coat of plaster is applied and floated smooth. The fiberglass mesh reinforces the wall and loose scratch coat and prevents additional decay. Most higher quality paint only supply stores would carry this. There are different brands and styles of this product, but they all work pretty much the same. If the walls are not in really bad shape a good quality sizing paper can be attached to the wall in order to make the wall smooth once again. Its only draw back is it does very little to reinforce the damaged wall, while the screen system strengthens it. Here is some additional information on plaster walls you might find interesting. http://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/21-flat-plaster.htm
  • Melody Drinkwater Wagner Melody Drinkwater Wagner on Jul 30, 2013
    Thank You so much Woodbridge Environmental!!!!!!!!!!
  • Thanks, Woodbridge Environmental! :)
  • Judy Judy on Aug 01, 2013
    I need HELP ! Mine doesn't look quite like yours. I have gotten down to the base of the plaster walls ,in spots , and have patched and sanded a few places. Then came the paint, Disaster, As soon as I painted and it had started to dry I could see bubbles in a lot of spots. So, took a scraper to it and started peeling off my newly painted paint !!!! Now I'm in a quandary as what to do . Any suggestions ? Oh, I did let the patch stuff dry before I painted.
    • Jennifer G Jennifer G on Apr 22, 2014
      @Judy You need to prime raw plater or spackle before painting it (even if it is a 'primer and paint in one' style paint). Use Zinser 123 or similar (ask your local paint store) to seal it well. I usually do at least 2 coats of primer since the first coat is soaked up almost instantly. Make sure it is COMPLETELY dry between coats and before painting. You may have to paint 2 coats as well to get nice even coverage. Depending on the size of your patch, you may want to paint the whole wall to get an even color. And as Woodbridge noted, make sure ALL the dust is removed before applying any primer or paint.
  • Judy it sounds like dust is in the paint. Once your plaster has dried and it has been sanded smooth some slight dust remains. This dust prevents adhesion of the paint causing failure as you describe. What type of material did you use for patching? Was it pre-mixed spackle that comes in pails? or did you mix your own using water and a powder? The pre-mixed stuff takes days to dry if applied thick and can cause all sorts of issues when you attempt to refinish. In any case, sand carefully the surface to remove the bubbles. Re-apply any spackle to smooth the surface once again, then after sanding wipe the wall using a clean almost dry cloth to remove any remaining dust. Prime using a good quality primer then paint. You should be good to go.
  • Plastering Books Plastering Books on Oct 09, 2013
    Visit my website on plastering, I have Apps, and ebooks also tool discounts http://www.naplwebsite.com/app-store.html
  • Heather Flynn Heather Flynn on Feb 24, 2016
    Plastering small wall imperfection
  • Emily Hartkopf Emily Hartkopf on May 17, 2016
    I have fixed terribly broken plaster walls using a product called "Big Wally's Plaster Magic". I've never been able to find it locally, but it is easy to order online. It is incredible!