4 Common Plaster Defects and Their Primary Symptoms

Blog |September 14th, 2017

Plaster is a common material used in construction all around the world. Easy to work with and easier to repair, plaster is a great choice for home owners and landlords. However, there will be times when your plaster starts to showcase some telltale signs of wear and tear. Plaster can be found inside and outside of buildings but the problems they showcase will be shared. Understanding these problems and identifying them before they get too far gone is an important trait to have. Today we will walk you through several common plaster defects and their primary causes.

1) Cracked Plaster
One of the most common problems you will run into in relation to plaster is the common crack. Cracked plaster comes in a variety of different styles, from hexagonal ‘crazing’ to hairline cracks and everything in between. This type of defect can come as a result of physical trauma, whether from every day wear and tear or direct physical action. Most of the time these cracks can be fixed with a little bit of putty and a new layer of paint. Only when the cracks in the plaster become severe do you need to pursue alternative options.

2) Bubbling Plaster
Water damage is no joke but it is a common problem for older homes with plaster walls. Water damage is identifiable in plaster when the material begins to bubble or bulge outward. At this point in time the water damage is fairly severe. This is a more exhaustive fix than simply applying some new putty and plaster. Portions of your wall must be removed, the area dried, and any mold or mildew dealt with.

3) De-Bonding Plaster
This defect is slightly more rare but no less serious. De-bonding occurs with plaster once the material actually starts to curl away from the wall and pop off of the surface. Sharp eared landlords or homeowners will actually hear the plaster as it starts to peel away and curl. If the de-bonded area is smaller than a plate you can engineer a simple fix. If the de-bonding spreads to a larger area then it is time to begin a full-fledged repair job. Avoid potential de-bonding problems by making sure to effectively mix your plaster, clean the surface of your walls before application, and use the proper bonding liquids during the job.

4) Soft Plaster
Finally, and most commonly, we run into the issue of soft plaster. Soft plaster is self-explanatory and is typically the result of improper cement measurements. Diluted plaster will harden on too soft and thus need to be repaired sooner than later.

 

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