#Plastering lath and plaster walls Patch

Illustration by Rob Leanna based on Kathy Bray What is a 3-Coat Plaster System?Ī traditional multi-coat plaster system begins with a substructure of lath-thin wood slats or metal mesh-that’s attached to the wall framing. Three-coat plaster is a system of multiple layers that work together to form a strong, sound-dampening, fire-resistant wall. About 150 years ago, a new component, gypsum, was added to the sand and lime mixture to enable the plaster to cure more quickly and allow for faster working times. Historically, plaster consists of dry components including sand, lime, and cattle hair (or straw or manure) mixed with water to create a wet, plastic medium that cures and hardens as it dries. More serious repair problems include delamination, bulging walls, and key failure, where plaster has broken loose from its grip on the lath substructure.Īpplied with craft and skill, interior plaster is a near-magical building material for creating and coating walls and ceilings. The most common type of damage to plaster is cracking, progressing from the superficial and easily repaired to deeper and wider cracks that require multiple repair techniques.

#Plastering lath and plaster walls Patch

It’s much easier to repair cracks or patch holes with this versatile material than with drywall. In many cases, problems with plaster can be fixed.

If sections or entire walls need attention, don’t let the idea of working with old plaster intimidate you.

Many houses built before about 1950 retain at least some of their original plaster walls.