{"id":429,"date":"2019-11-29T16:01:49","date_gmt":"2019-11-29T16:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/?p=429"},"modified":"2024-05-04T14:27:19","modified_gmt":"2024-05-04T14:27:19","slug":"how-to-patch-up-plaster-walls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/how-to-patch-up-plaster-walls\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Patch Up Plaster Walls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Remodeling a home can bring to light many unexpected\nsurprises, like an old plaster-over-lath wall for instance. Many homeowners\nimmediately feel the urge to rip down plaster and replace it with drywall. But\nsometimes, a plaster wall can be salvaged if done correctly.&nbsp; Continue reading to learn how to patch a\nplaster wall and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Plaster-Wall-Repair-Indianapolis-Indiana-e1574708706584.jpg\" alt=\"Indianapolis Plaster Wall Repair 317-269-7319\" class=\"wp-image-430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Plaster-Wall-Repair-Indianapolis-Indiana-e1574708706584.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Plaster-Wall-Repair-Indianapolis-Indiana-e1574708706584-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Plaster-Wall-Repair-Indianapolis-Indiana-e1574708706584-768x435.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Indianapolis Plaster Wall Repair 317-269-7319<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Basics of Patching Plaster<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Plaster is applied to latticework, or laths, which are\nbasically narrow boards or strips of wood that create a framework for a wall.\nOvertime, plaster can pop off its laths. Sometimes, if the plaster is firm and\nfalls off in large pieces, they can simple be reattached and re-sealed. Other\ntimes, crumbled or soft plaster will need to be completely removed down to the\nlatticework and to the outer edges of firm plaster, and then re-done from start\nto finish. Either way, patching up a plaster wall is possible and can be done\nall on your own with the right tools and knowledge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step-By-Step Instructions<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>First, gather all your necessary supplies. You will most likely need a chisel, a trowel, lime putty (combination of hydrated dolomite lime and water), clean dry cloths, fiberglass mesh tape, angle plane or drywall screen, a bonding agent, a mixing board, and a colorless sponge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With all supplies ready to go, use the chisel to remove the\nold plaster from between the latticework. Be sure to wipe away all the loose\nplaster crumbs, dust, and debris. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, use your angle plane or drywall screen to smooth out the hole around the plaster. Next, apply the bonding agent over the latticework, as well as, all the plaster that is to be patched or re-coated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cover all of this, except for the small cracks, with your\nfiberglass mesh tape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, prepare your lime putty by combining your hydrated dolomite lime with water until you get a consistency similar to yogurt. Allow the lime to disintegrate in the water for at least 20 minutes, until a thin layer of water rests on the top. This ensures even re-hydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apply a heap of the putty to your mixing board in a ring\nshape. Pour some bonding agent in the center and continue to mix in handfuls of\ngauging plaster until you achieve the proper consistency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use your trowel to mix all of this until you get a\ndough-like result. Apply this mixture to the exposed laths and around the edges\nof the holes, using firm pressing motions. Leave a slight decompression for the\nfinal coat later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cut out another sheet of fiberglass mesh at a size that\nmatches the hole and firmly press it into the wet plaster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mix another batch of the lime putty mixture, this time using\nless gauging plaster to get a softer product that\u2019s easier to work with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apply a thin and final coat over the mesh and\npreviously-lain plaster. Use your sponge to touch up any inconsistencies or\nimperfections on the wall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wait at least 30 minutes for everything to dry. Sanding\nshould be necessary!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consider Professional Drywall Services<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Patching up a plaster wall is not a novice job. It takes\npractice and a bit of handyman knowledge to do a good job. For this reason,\nmost homeowners would better benefit from hiring a licensed general contractor\nfor accurate and professional drywall or plaster wall repair services. And\nyou\u2019d be surprised just how inexpensive these services cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is the Job Too Tough?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If the whole plaster wall patching project seems too challenging to take on yourself, just <strong>call Drywall by Renso at 317-269-7319<\/strong> for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/drywall-services\/drywall-repair.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Indianapolis drywall repair (opens in a new tab)\">Indianapolis drywall repair<\/a> you can afford! We are experienced drywall contractors who offer a wide range of residential and commercial drywall service, including repair, replacement, installation, new home construction, metal stud framing, custom drywall texture, grid ceilings, and much more. Call 317-269-7319 to request a free estimate, today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Remodeling a home can bring to light many unexpected surprises, like an old plaster-over-lath wall for instance. Many homeowners immediately feel the urge to rip down plaster and replace it with drywall. But sometimes, a plaster wall can be salvaged &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/how-to-patch-up-plaster-walls\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":430,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,2],"tags":[17,185,183,181,182,186,184],"class_list":["post-429","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drywall-advice","category-drywall-service","tag-drywall-repair-indianapolis","tag-hole-in-plaster-wall","tag-how-to-plaster-walls","tag-indianapolis-plaster-wall-repair","tag-plaster-walls-guide","tag-repair-a-hole-in-wall","tag-wall-plaster-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/429","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=429"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/429\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":652,"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/429\/revisions\/652"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drywallindianapolis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}