Repairing Plaster Walls

Stenciled Plaster Wall

Today, most walls and ceilings are made with drywall. It's easy and quick to install, it's affordable, and it lasts for a long time without a lot of maintenance. This hasn't always been the case however. Until the 1950's plaster was used almost exclusively to construct buildings. Even today, some builders use this material in lieu of drywall because of its texture and unique look. If you have an older home, or you simply like the look of plaster, you may experience some cracking and damage to your walls at some point. Fortunately, it's easy to repair plaster walls, and the average homeowner can complete this project over the weekend.

Things You'll Need

• Drill with masonry bit
• 1-1/4" drywall screws
• Plaster washers
• Trowel
• Lime plaster
• Water
• Bucket
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Primer
• Latex paint
• Paint roller

Instructions

1. Reattach any bulging or sagging sections. These damaged areas occur when the plaster separates from the structural wooden strips, called a lath, that bond it to the wall. To reattach, simply use your drill to insert drywall screws topped with plastic washers through the plaster and into the lath. Screws should be placed about every 8 inches.

2. Widen any holes so that they are smaller on the surface than they are underneath. Use a trowel and your hands to clear away any loose plaster and debris, then chip away at the edges of the hole so they slope away from the hole as they move away from the wall's surface. This gives the patched areas a better base to bond with.

3. Blend your plaster mix with water in a bucket.

4. Use your trowel to fill any holes or cracks with the plaster mix. Make sure each void is completely filled, then wipe away any excess with your trowel.

5. Allow 4 to 6 hours for the patched areas to dry and sand them gently until they are smooth and even.

6. Prime and paint the walls as you normally would.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not add too much water to your plaster mix. Plaster that is too wet will tend to crack over time as it dries.