Frequently Asked Questions
Preparations?
The room can be prepared by removing radiators. And removing all furniture. We lay downsuitable sheeting to protect all flooring. However we would recommend that you cover any exposed wood such as fire surrounds, shelves and wooden doors.
We will require access to running water and a power socket or two.
What is Artex?
Artex is similar to plaster. But used in a very different way. Artex was used many years ago as it was a cheaper and quicker alternative than modern plastering. It was used for many purposes. including decorative finishes, but not anymore! It was also used to cover any lumps and bumps in uneven walls and ceilings. The thicker the pattern the more likely its hiding uneven surfaces but its easily rectified.
How do you cover Artex
Depending on where the Artex is depends on which method is used. Ceilings are either re-plasterboarded and skimmed, or if the Artex is only a light pattern its scraped to remove any high points and skimmed. Walls are similar to ceilings but instead of re-boarding they can be prepped with a backing plaster first to cover and then skimmed to smooth finish or if it’s a light pattern a 2 coat skim finish will suffice.
Do I need to remove the wallpaper before plastering?
Yes please. All paper needs to be removed and the walls cleaned
When can the new plaster be painted over?
Many factors decide when its ready and they can vary dramatically. Generally the drying process of plaster is 7-10 days. During the process it will dry from dark brown to light pink. Don’t worry too much as we will advise approx times once were finished.
How do I 'seal' the plaster?
There are numerous ways to ‘seal’ new plaster the one we use has never failed us. Give the plaster a quick brush to remove any dust. Using white matt emulsion water down around 50:50 and then apply by brush or roller a mist coat. Don’t worry if its patchy it just needs to cover the whole area. This will help the top coats to adhere better but also to give a greater finish.
My ceiling is damaged due to a leak. What can I do?
The root cause needs to be identified first. Whether it be a leaky pipe or roof the leak needs to be stopped before any other work is carried out. Depending on the extent of the damage the affected area will need to be removed and replaced. If a sag has been created then its best to correct with new plasterboard and plaster. We can patch and blend most surfaces to get them looking identical again. In some cases the damage/sagging may not be visible immediately but if the ceiling has absorbed a high amount of water, in time it will cause lasting damage. Damp plasterboard is also a medium for mould growth which is bad for our health.
Can I get my insurance company to pay for the repairs?
Most probably. Check with your provider first but we can arrange a visit to assess the damage and then supply,a detailed quotation to submit to your Insurance provider.
Service List
- Plastering
- Skimming
- Artex Removal
- Dry Lining
- Skim Coating
- External Plaster
- Rough Cast
- Tyrolean
- Plaster Boarding
- Rendering
- Wet plastering
- Coving
- Ceiling repairs
- Sparring
- Pebble Dashing
- Water Damage Repair
- Insurance Work
- Conversions
- Home Improvements