Plastering · Sutton Coldfield, Walsall & nearby
Plaster repairs that stay repaired.
Plaster repairs last when the cause is found first: movement, damp, a leak or plaster that has simply lost its grip. I repair cracks, holes and blown plaster in homes across Sutton Coldfield and Walsall, and I tell you honestly when a patch will do and when it will not.
Free home visit. Written quotation. No pressure.
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Wojtek, Retrofit AssessorAssesses, designs and fits every job himselfOn this page 7 sections
- Why find the cause before repairing plaster?
- What do different cracks in plaster mean?
- What is blown plaster and why does it happen?
- Can you make good after electricians, plumbers or a leak?
- What does a plaster repair involve?
- What affects the cost of plaster repairs?
- Will the repair show, or should the whole wall be skimmed?
Can damaged plaster be repaired instead of replaced?
Usually, yes. Cracks, holes and small areas of blown plaster can be cut back, filled and finished to blend with the wall around them. The important part is finding the cause first. If damp, a leak or ongoing movement caused the damage, the repair will fail again unless that is dealt with before plastering.
Why find the cause before repairing plaster?
Because a repair only lasts if whatever damaged the plaster has stopped. Filling a crack or patching a damp area without knowing why it happened usually means paying for the same repair again.
Many people come to me after exactly that: a crack that keeps coming back, or a patch that bubbled through the new paint, sometimes only months after paying for the work. It is frustrating, and it is rarely because the plaster itself was bad. At the visit I look at where the damage is, check the wall with a moisture meter and ask about its history, so the repair deals with the problem as well as the symptom.
What do different cracks in plaster mean?
Most cracks are cosmetic, but the pattern tells you which are not. This is a rough guide:
| What you see | Likely cause | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|
| Fine hairline cracks in newish plaster | Normal drying shrinkage | Fill and decorate, or skim |
| Straight cracks along ceiling or wall board joints | Missing scrim tape or slight movement of boards | Cut out, tape and re-finish |
| Cracks at the corners of windows and doors | Minor seasonal movement | Rake out, tape, fill and finish |
| Diagonal or stepped cracks that widen over time | Possible structural movement | Investigate first, often with a structural engineer |
If a crack is wider than a few millimetres, is growing, or doors and windows have started sticking, I will not simply fill it. I will recommend it is looked at properly before any plastering. That might mean a structural engineer, or simply monitoring the crack for a few months first.
What is blown plaster and why does it happen?
Blown plaster has come away from the wall behind it. It sounds hollow when you tap it, may bulge slightly and often cracks or crumbles when touched.
Common causes are age, moisture from a leak or damp, salts in older brickwork, and gypsum patches applied over old lime plaster that the two materials never bonded properly. The repair is to cut the loose plaster back to a sound edge, deal with any moisture, then rebuild the area in layers with a material that suits the wall. In period homes that is often lime, which I cover on my lime plastering page.
Can you make good after electricians, plumbers or a leak?
Yes. Making good after rewiring, new pipework, a removed fireplace or a ceiling brought down by a leak is a common job, and I can coordinate with the other trades so the plastering happens at the right point.
With a leak, the wall or ceiling must be allowed to dry before it is repaired. Plastering too soon traps moisture, and stains or mould can come back through the new finish. If you are dealing with recurring black mould rather than a one-off leak, that is usually a condensation issue, explained on my condensation and mould page.
What does a plaster repair involve?
A proper repair is more than filler and a quick skim. Done well, it follows the same order every time.
- Find and deal with the cause, whether that is a leak, damp, movement or a failed previous repair.
- Protect the room and cut the damaged plaster back to a firm, sound edge.
- Let the wall dry out if it has been wet.
- Prime the background so the new material bonds and does not dry too fast.
- Rebuild deeper areas in layers with a plaster that suits the wall, gypsum or lime.
- Tape any cracks or joints, then finish and feather the edges into the surrounding surface.
At the end you get drying and decorating advice, and on larger repairs I call about four weeks later to check the area has dried and settled.
What affects the cost of plaster repairs?
Mainly the cause and the size of the area. A few cracks on a sound wall are a small job; a leak-damaged ceiling or a wall of blown lime plaster is a much bigger one.
Other factors are how many rooms are involved, whether lime is needed, drying time before the repair can start and how easy it is to blend the finish. I price after a free home visit and explain what is included, so there are no surprises.
Will the repair show, or should the whole wall be skimmed?
A small, well-made repair should disappear once decorated. The finish is blended into the surrounding wall and any edges are feathered out.
When there are many repairs on one wall, or the rest of the surface is tired, a full skim often gives a better and more even result for not much more cost. Light also shows everything: a patch on a wall lit from the side by a window is harder to hide. I will tell you honestly which route gives you the better finish, and it is all part of my wider plastering service.
Homeowners who called me.
Real reviews from homeowners across the West Midlands, all 5 stars on Google, where you can read every one.
“We had insulation done in our main bedroom, outside wall including bay. From his initial visit, to quotation process and actually doing the work, he was very efficient. It was a pleasure to have Wojtek working in our house.”
“We had our house insulated recently and the difference is honestly amazing. Before, it used to take forever to warm the house up, we’d got to the point where we were even talking about selling because it was just that cold.”
“We’d had black mould forming on our bay window for years and had almost given up trying to clean it off. Nothing we tried ever worked. Then we came across Wojtek at aPlastering.”
“We recently had two rooms insulated by aPlastering, and honestly, they were brilliant from start to finish. They explained everything clearly, the communication was great, and the price was straightforward with no surprises.”
“Our experience with aPlastering was exceptional from start to finish. Wojciech did a thorough survey prior to providing a quote and was crystal clear on what was required. The price was fair for the work required.”
“A very professional and reliable service throughout. From initial enquiry to completion, communication was prompt, with a clear quotation and timeline provided.”
“Excellent professional service, great time keeping, and perfect job. I had insulated plasterboard fitted, soundproof plasterboard and all skimming to a large ground floor, excellent finish throughout and more importantly 3 years in and no cracks.”
“We were let down last minute and he came out to provide a quote the very same day and had our bedroom beautifully plastered the following day, all to an incredibly high standard.”
Free download · 16 pages
Why is my room so cold?
Most cold rooms in 1930s and Victorian homes are cold because their outside walls lose heat fast and stay cold on the surface. This free guide from Retrofit Assessor Wojtek Pankowski helps you find out what's happening in your home and what to do about it, before you spend a penny.
Get the free guideYour questions, answered.
Anything else, ring me on 07763 789272. Happy to talk it through.
Get a free quoteWhy does the same crack keep coming back?
Usually because it was filled rather than repaired, or because the cause is still active. Cracks at board joints return if they were not taped. Cracks caused by seasonal movement need raking out, taping and a flexible approach. A crack that keeps widening may be structural and needs investigating first. I look for the reason before quoting.
How do I know if plaster is blown?
Tap the wall gently with your knuckles. Sound plaster gives a solid, dull sound, while blown plaster sounds hollow and may feel slightly loose or bulge. Other signs are cracks in a rough circle, crumbling edges or paint bubbling. Small blown patches can be repaired; large areas may be better re-plastered or boarded.
Should I worry about a crack in my ceiling?
Most ceiling cracks are cosmetic, often along plasterboard joints or in old lath and plaster. It is worth having it checked if the ceiling sags, the crack is wide or growing, or it follows a leak. A sagging lath and plaster ceiling can come down, so it should be looked at promptly rather than filled.
How long do plaster repairs take?
Small repairs are often done in a few hours, though they need drying time before decorating. Larger areas, repairs in several rooms or anything involving lime take longer, because each coat must set before the next. If the wall is damp after a leak, it needs to dry first. Your quote sets out the timing clearly.
Do you do small plaster repairs?
I take on repairs where they are done properly, with the cause looked at and the finish blended in. Very small jobs are often best combined with other work in the house, and I will say so if that saves you money. The home visit is free, so it costs nothing to find out what the damage needs.
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