How to Repair a Plaster Wall

There are many old homes that still have their original plaster walls. Repairing holes in these walls is a little more involved than repairing a drywall. However the average person can repair plaster walls with little difficulty. If the holes are larger than two inches, then you will need to staple wire lath onto the wood lath inside the wall. The wire lath re-enforces the plaster and makes the patch strong.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Plaster of Paris
• Container
• Wire lath (for large holes)
• Tin snips (for cutting wire lath)
• Staple gun (for securing wire lath)
• Large putty knife
• Medium grit sandpaper
• Dust mask
• Primer

1. Wire lath in wall For holes larger than two inches, cut a piece of wire lath with the tin snips so that it fits neatly into the hole.
2. Wire lath securely stapled With your staple gun firmly secure the wire lath against the wood lath inside the wall.
3. Mixing plaster Mix some Plaster of Paris in a container with water. The plaster needs to be thick enough so that it sticks to the wire lath and wall.
4. Applying plaster Apply the Plaster of Paris to wire lath while smoothing it out until it’s even with the edges of the wall. Allow to try completely.
5. Sanding wall Wearing your dust mask, sand the wall until it’s completely smooth.
6. Primed wall Prime wall and let dry
7. Painting wall Apply matching color paint to wall and let dry. If needed apply 2nd coat.

Tips & Warnings

• Plaster of Paris dries fast so you will need to work fast in patching the hole. Once dried in the container it can not be reused.