DIY Guide to Repair Plaster Walls & Fix Cracks

Plaster walls tell stories about architecture and old times. They create unique, historic-looking features for homes and apartments that drywall cannot achieve. Plaster walls are stunning, but they experience natural deterioration like any other surface. With time, cracks will form, holes will appear, and some wall sections will eventually start crumbling. Damaged plaster appears due to settling, water damage, or everyday use, which creates a neglected appearance. Luckily, you do not need construction experience to repair a plaster wall. This blog explores how to repair plaster walls. The disciplined application of proper tools and systematic methods allows homeowners to conduct self-executed plaster wall fixes that will revive their walls’ initial appearance.

What is the Best Way to Repair Plaster Walls?

The proper method for plaster wall repair starts with evaluating the severity and kind of damage. Joint compound or spackling paste addresses minor hairline cracks and small holes, but major holes and crumbling plaster demand a combination of patching and subsequent bonding agent application. To turn your plaster walls to their best possible condition, follow these simple steps:

1. Assessing the Damage

Begin by studying the damaged section. The plaster shows repairable small cracks and crumbling or complete plaster loss remains uncertain. The problem identification helps you decide which materials and procedures to use.

• Hairline cracks: You can easily fix these types of problems with cosmetic solutions.
• Small holes: Quickly fix small holes resulting from nail placements and picture hangers with filler.
• Large holes or deep cracks: We use a combination of mesh elements and re-bonding layers to fix large holes and deep cracks.
• Crumbling plaster: Wet conditions with weak adherence between plaster material and wall are called crumbling plaster, a natural deterioration caused by moisture that is poor for strong remediation.

2. Gathering the Right Tools and Materials

One needs plaster repair mix or joint compound together with other tools mentioned here for successful completion of this project. Walls with plaster need these supplies for repairs:

• Putty knife or drywall knife
• Utility knife
• Plaster repair mix or joint compound
• Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
• Primer and paint
• Dust mask and safety goggles
• For large holes: Repairing large holes in plaster walls requires the use of either fiberglass mesh or setting-type joint compound, or patching plaster.
• Optional Tools: The necessary tools include a bonding agent in addition to a drill for fixing loose plaster and plaster washers, together with a drill and mixing plaster.

3. Preparing the Surface

Start by removing dirt-clogged or loose areas of plaster using the putty knife. Use your putty knife to scrape off plaster materials that are poorly bonded to the wall surface.

• Clear away loose or flaking plaster: Use your putty knife to remove any material that’s not well-adhered.
•  crumbling edges: A utility knife helps clean up rough spots.
• Dust and clean the area:  Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove debris.
• Bonding agent: Apply bonding agents if necessary. They help new plaster adhere to old surfaces, especially important for deeper repairs.

4. Repairing Plaster Damage

We will examine typical situations using the methods you need to follow:

• Repairing Crumbling Plaster Walls

If you find that the plaster is crumbling, it’s important to remove all the unstable material first. After that, place a bonding agent on the uncovered lath surfaces or wall. The area needs to be filled with layers of patching plaster or setting-type joint compound. After that, apply each new layer of material after the previous one has dried completely. After drying time, sand the surface smooth.

Tip: To firmly reattach loose plaster to the lath before applying the new one, use plaster washers.

• Fixing Large Holes in Plaster Walls

Note: For larger holes than a few inches across:

You need to trim the edges of the hole to make it a clean square or rectangle. Then, apply a fiberglass mesh patch or use a piece of drywall cut to fit the hole. Apply joint compound or patching plaster over the patch in thin layers. Feather the edges to blend with the wall. Sand smooth between layers and after the final coat.

• Filling Small Holes in Plaster Walls

Small nail holes or pinholes are the easiest to fix:

Apply a small quantity of joint or spackling compound using a putty knife. Make it flush with the wall by smoothing it out. If necessary, let dry and lightly sand. Patching plaster walls prior to painting. After completing all repairs, prepare the wall for painting. 

• Patching Plaster Walls Before Painting

Sand all of the patched areas lightly until they are smooth. Use a fresh cloth to remove any dust. To guarantee even paint application, prime the repaired areas. Lastly apply your preferred paint job to the wall.

Tools and Materials to Repair Plaster Walls

Repair in plaster wall requires some basic tools as well as materials tools necessary to produce a smooth long lasting finish. Regardless of whether you want to repair small cracks or repairs to larger sections of damage, the right tools, and materials will make the repairs more efficient and effective. Here is how much you will need in detail:

Plaster Patch or Joint Compound

• Purpose: It is the primary stuff that will fill cracks, holes or other damaged sections on plaster walls. Joint patch is in both pre-mixed and powder form, joint compound or plaster patch. Pre-mixed compounds are convenient to work with whereas powder forms are relatively cheap and can also be customized in terms of consistency.
• Tip: Select a lightweight texture compound when filling minor holes and a thicker-bodied plaster patch when filling larger, deeper holes.

Spackle or Plaster Filler

• Purpose: Spackle or plaster filler is best to use on small holes and minor cracks. It is a thin, dries fast material, which makes it ideal to do small touch-ups.
• Tip: Be certain that the filler you apply matches the filler used in your walls. Conventional plaster repairs require filler of a particular kind.

Putty Knife

• Purpose: A putty knife will be needed when it comes to applying plaster patch or joint compound to the wall creating a smooth application. It assists in bridging of the cracks and even the compound.
• Tip: A putty knife, 3-4 inches works best in most cases. In the case of longer cracks/holes, a wider knife (68 inches) will be used.

Trowel

• Purpose: A trowel is normally used to smooth and cover the surface of plaster or even joint compounds over an expansive area. It is especially helpful in big repairs or in the case of a plurality of layers of material.
• Tip: Apply stainless steel trowel to finish the stain-resistant and smooth surface.

Sandpaper or Sanding Block

• Purpose: Once you have applied the plaster patch or joint compound, you will have to sand off the surface once dry. Sandpaper (normally 120-220 grit) would remove any irregularities and the patch job will match the rest of the wall with ease.
• Tip: Refinishing can be made easier by using sanding block or electrical sander when large areas are involved to make the finishes more even.

Plaster Repair Tape or Mesh

• Purpose: To repair cracks that are more extensive or deeper, plaster repair tape/mesh should be used that will strengthen the plaster preventing it cracking. This mesh can be undertaken prior to adding plaster patch in order to increase strength.
• Tip: Fiberglass mesh tape can be used to get a stronger tug and better durability.

Primer

• Purpose: Plaster walls require a decent primer that will guarantee a better paint holding surface and the plaster does not leak moisture later in life. Antifungal primers are especially good where moisture is likely.
• Tip: Use a bonding primer in case of better coverage in patched areas.

Paint

• Purpose: A finishing coat of paint is required to keep the finish after the wall is smooth and patched. Apply a paint with a smooth finish and durable texture that is the same color that you have used to paint the rest of the wall.
• Tip: Apply a high-quality interior paint and preferably a matte or an eggshell to get a finish that looks like plaster.

Drop Cloths and Painter’s Tape

• Purpose: These items will be useful to keep spills and splatters off your floor and any furniture during the repair and painting work.
• Tip: Mask off your trim, windows, or doors using painter masking tape to keep the paint off of these items.

Step Ladder

• Purpose: A step ladder will be needed to access places on walls that are high. Plaistering jobs quite frequently involve ceiling or higher areas in walls.
• Tip: Keep your ladder well-balanced and high to allow you reach the places you are dealing with.

How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Plaster Wall?

The size and extent of the damage determine how much it will cost to repair a plaster wall, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional.

For small repairs, budget between $20 and $50 for tools and materials. Depending on labor rates and wall condition hiring a professional to repair more extensive or complex damage may cost $150 to $500 or more. Remember that the overall cost may increase if you need to repaint the entire room match the texture or patch several areas. Nonetheless, plaster repair preserves the original character and is usually less expensive than replacing entire walls.

Conclusion

Plaster wall repair may seem like a lost art but it’s completely doable with the correct techniques and supplies whether you’re repairing minor dings or more serious damage. The secret is to comprehend the issue properly prepare the surface and apply the appropriate methods for each kind of damage. You can save money and maintain the aesthetic appeal and historical charm of your house by learning how to fix plaster walls yourself. Your walls will appreciate you taking things one step at a time and not being scared to get your hands a little dusty! Neimann Painting can help if you’d prefer to leave it to the professionals. Our skilled team specializes in carefully and precisely restoring and refinishing plaster walls.

FAQS