How do I tell if the 'frost' has got to my plaster?

[inwood]

I have recently (about one week ago) patch repaired both sides of the plaster in a lath and plaster wall. The top section is stiff but the lower half is still 'relatively' soft.

Unfortunately the temperature in the two rooms dropped to 3 degrees last night - below the magic 5! - still no heating yet.

I have spent today insulating the loft above both rooms - horse, bolt, gate closing.........

1. How can I tell if the 'air frost' has affected the plaster?
2. Will hanging hessian over the plaster really do much good given both rooms are at the same temperature?

Advice much appreciated.

 

[Nemesis]

The only experience I have is outside. It went all crumbly.

I suspect as yours is indoors it will not get frosted, simply take longer to cure/dry.

 

[Flyfisher]

still no heating yet.

Ditto, and frost on the inside of the bedroom windows last night for the first time this year. Winter must have arrived.

I have no direct experience, but my understanding is that the plaster will go all crumbly if it does get damaged, so you'll know when it's too late

Have you considered running a small fan heater on its lowest setting until the cold spell passes? Not to actually heat the room as such, which might cause too rapid drying and cracking anyway, but to keep the frost at bay?

 

[biffvernon]

Unfortunately the temperature in the two rooms dropped to 3 degrees last night - below the magic 5! - still no heating yet.
1. How can I tell if the 'air frost' has affected the plaster?

I hasn't. Relax. The air has got to get below zero for long enough to make the water in the plaster on the wall get below zero as well. That will take quite a while.

 

[inwood]

Thanks all for the reassurance. It seems to be OK so far, other than having to push in shrinkage cracks daily - I guess because it's taking so long to stiffen up sufficiently.