What questions should you pose to your plasterer to evaluate their level of expertise? It is always advisable to hire a competent professional to handle the plastering for you because the job is hard.
When it comes to a home that safeguards the occupants by keeping them safe, maintenance is a crucial duty. If a home isn’t kept up with, the plaster on the walls may crack, weakening the wall and making it leak.
Plastering is a crucial consideration when building a new home as it not only smoothens the walls but also adds support, making the walls stronger. A professional plasterer is essential because the type of plaster used and how it is applied determine the strength of the home.
This article offers some advice on how to pick a reputable plasterer and what enquiries to make about them.
How Thickly Will the Plaster Be Applied?
Although this is a difficult question to start with, your plasterer should be able to respond. Undercoat plasters are typically put at a thickness of 11 mm for walls, 8 mm for ceilings, and 2 mm for finish coat plasters.
Some one-coat plasters are put at a thickness of 10mm for ceilings and 13mm for walls. However, if you only use one coat, you might not want to hire a plasterer.
What Kind of Plaster Would You Apply Over Cement and Sand Undercoats?
If you ask your plasterer this question, they should respond that it depends on how well the background material is sucked in. There are various brands; however, they might recommend something like Thistle Multi-Finish or Durafinish.
How Are You Going to Handle Salt Contamination If It Occurs?
The plasterer should remove any salt that comes to the surface of the backdrop carefully. The background ought to be spotless and dust-free. Salt contamination might lead to damp issues if there is a lot of it present.
If the salts are from the drying process or are the result of a larger damp issue in your home, the plasterer should determine which it is.
What Type of Plaster Would You Apply after Installing a Moisture-Proof Course?
If you’re repainting after a damp-proof course, cement-based plaster is required.
Plastering a Damp Wall—Is It Necessary?
If you ask your plasterer if the wall has rising or penetrating dampness, they should say no. This should be fine if there is only a small amount of residual moisture after a damp-proof course has been installed.
Can Plastering Affect Air Leakage and Increase a Building’s Energy Efficiency?
It does. By caulking gaps and cracks with the appropriate plaster, you can keep an airtight seal. Some plasters are also excellent at helping buildings retain heat, which could result in lower energy costs.
How Should a Painted Wall Be Plastered?
If they are competent, the plasterer should advise against plastering anything other than a painted wall that is in excellent shape. They should offer to do a test area first to determine if it is appropriate before plastering over a painted wall if you want them to.
Conclusion
Ask your plasterer the enquiries that are pertinent to your project, and then observe their responses. You will soon be able to distinguish between plasterers who are knowledgeable in their field and those who are only interested in making quick cash.