Replastering

[brookesvictorian]

Having a Victorian property replastered as the previous owner has done it in gypsum. Now that I’ve read a fair bit about how modern solutions don’t work on old properties I’m a little nervous about trusting ‘experts’ with no real experience with old houses and how they work. The plasterer I’ve engaged to redo the living room has suggested stripping it back to brick, putting on a damp proof membrane, then putting on boards and plastering over that. Has anyone got any points for/against this that I should consider?

 

[stuart45]

I wouldn't go with that plasterer. You need one experienced in lime work.

 

[andyrew1]

As a relatively inexperienced owner myself I won't be that much help but to get the best out of the other very helpful people on here it might be useful to know why you are replastering, damp problems or just aesthetic, ...?

 

[malcolm]

As above what's the problem you are trying to fix? If it's internal damp them stay well clear of the plasterer you have found as that approach will cause a lot of trouble. A waterproof barrier is no way to fix damp. Damp happens because more water is getting in than can get out again and the fix is to let more water out than can get in. Reducing water ingress and increasing egress especially to outside is the way to go. Pictures would be useful.

 

[brookesvictorian]

Apologies, the reason why I’m replastering was vital info I forgot to include. It is because of internal damp - have resolved what I believe to be the cause(s) but am anxious to avoid creating any more.

 

[Lacan07]

Apologies, the reason why I’m replastering was vital info I forgot to include. It is because of internal damp - have resolved what I believe to be the cause(s) but am anxious to avoid creating any more.

Well this is always the issue with damp, fixing the cause is usually not difficult but how you then choose to build the house back up becomes the dilemma! You're obviously thinking about using lime plaster. A cheaper approach might be to leave as is for the time being and see if the damp recedes. Are the external facing walls breathable?

It looks like the plasterer you've engaged hasn't got the memo, it sounds to me like he's planning for gypsum again! A damp proof membrane is a bad idea, and I assume the boards he's referring to is standard (gypsum) plasterboard which will need to be either battened away from the wall or fixed using dot and dab (cement). Both scenarios creates a void between the boards and the wall where pretty soon mushrooms will to grow unless there is proper ventilation.

When it comes to lime its either find a lime specialist or find a standard plasterer with some experience of lime or willing to have go. The other option is DIY, going on a course is good idea with this option.

 

[paulc]

The other option is DIY, going on a course is good idea with this option.

Plastering isn't really that difficult. With lime (using putty), as long as it is wet, it doesn't set hard like gypsum would. So you have plenty of time to get it on the walls and smoothed off. Once the base coats are on and drying, the amount of time you have with the final top coat is shorter as the base coats suck up the moisture. A light spray of water gives you the time back.