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Secrets of Professional Plasterers Revealed

By Peter Stayley Jones
Nov 4, 2009
In order to get the most out of your home improvement projects, the most important thing for you to do is to determine how you are going to approach such projects. Are you going to personally do the task or are you going to get the services of a professional?

You must be able to make the right decision by accurately determining which type of home improvement activities you can do on your own and which are those that are better left to the experts. Most people can competently perform simple painting jobs. Another task which can also be done without hiring the services of home improvement specialist is plastering.

Plastering is a technical skill that involves the application of plaster on ceilings and interior walls. This task is performed to ensure that these essential home structures are both soundproof and fireproof. You should also understand that this home improvement task is also performed in order to create specific designs and molds to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home or commercial building.

Plastering is one task which may not be within your league. This construction trade generally entails plasterworks on walls and ceilings. Plastering tasks is also done in the interior as well as the exterior of homes and commercial buildings. Its primary purpose is to provide protection and ensure that your home or commercial building is fireproof and soundproof. Most people can do simple patch up jobs with ease. However, major plastering jobs, particularly those where intricate designs and special finishes are required, must be assigned to professional plaster contractors.

When we talk about plastering, the proficiency in working and handling of the plasterwork will always have to be considered. Plastering is performed by tradesmen who have the skill as well as the experience in providing structural protection as well as the desired finishes with the use of plaster. Before you even consider doing some serious plastering jobs, it is incumbent upon you to take into account the essentials tools that are needed in plastering. These include the hawk, trowel, mixing buckets, trimming knife, claw hammer, string line, level, splash brush, straight edge and steel floats.

There are several types of plaster materials which are suited for specific types of wall and ceiling surfaces. The pure cement plaster is mainly used for external plastering. On the other hand, gypsum plaster is commonly used in the interior walls and ceilings. However, gypsum plaster will crumble down when applied on damp surfaces. For such surface condition, a thick layer of concrete plaster is more appropriate. Experts recommend that a thick layer of concrete plaster is applied on damp surfaces.

Plasterwork must always be composed of at least two plaster layers - an initial layer and a finishing plaster coat. The initial layer shall serve as the backing coat of the plasterwork. The browning or the bonding coat is normally used as backing for the plaster. In some projects, the plasterboard is used as backing for the plaster.

The second layer of plaster coat is applied to serve as protection for the backing coat or the plasterboard. It is important that you use cold and clean water in mixing the powder compound. The correct way of preparing the plaster mix is by gradually mixing small quantities of the plaster with water instead of pouring water onto the plaster mix.
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