PLASTERING

Introduction
Plastering is the process of covering the rough surfaces of walls,
columns, ceilings, and other building components with a thin coat
of plaster to make the surface smooth and durable.
In general , plaster is made up of lime or cement mortar along with
sand and water. Plastering on external exposed surface is called
rendering.

Objectives
a. To provide a smooth and finished surface.
b. To protect the surfaces against atmospheric effects and
termites.
c. To resist chemical actions.
d. To cover defects in the structure.
e. To give a decorative appearance.

Requirements for Good Plaster Material  

The plaster material should fulfill the following requirements:
a. It should adhere to the background
b. It should remain on the surface and should protect from chemical
attacks and weathering actions.
c. It should have good workability.
d. It should be hard and durable.
f. It should protect from penetration of moisture.
Types of mortars for plastering Tools for plastering
1.Lime mortar
Lime – sand ratio : 1:3 – 1:4 for fat lime
1:2 for hydraulic lime

2.Cement mortar
Cement – Sand ratio : 1:4 – 1:6
Strong and best for external plastering and damp climates
as it is non-absorbant.

3.Lime- cement mortar

Addition of lime to cement mortar increase its plasticity
Lime – cement - sand ratio: 1:4 – 1:6

Process of plastering
Plaster may be applied 1, 2 or 3 coats

First coat is known as undercoat or rendering

( 10-15 mm ) – seals surface
Second coat is called floating coat( 6-9 mm )
Third coat is the finishing coat ( 2-3 mm )

Steps :
1.Preparation of surface background
2.Application of rendering coat
3.Application of final coat
Plastering procedure

Preparation of surface:
The application surface should be made rough by raking out.
In case of the presence of cavities or holes; fill it in advance with suitable material.
 All joints and application surfaces are cleaned out with the help of water and a wire brush. No traces of oils or greases should be left.
The application surface should be wet for at least 6 hours before the application of plaster.
Ground work for plaster:
For obtaining the uniform surface level; patches of plaster of size 15 mm * 15 mm and having a thickness of about 10 mm are
used( Patches are also known as fix dots ). Patches are fixed at an interval of 2m.
Verticality of fix dots is checked with a plumb bob and screeds are formed between dots.

Applying under coat or base coat

• Then, a base coat is applied to the surface between screeds using the trowel. The thickness
of the base coat may vary between 9 to 15 mm.
• The surface is levelled using a wooden float.
• Let the base coat set but not let it dry.  Then roughen the base coat by scratching.
Applying Finishing coat
• Then surface or finishing coat is applied over the base coat.
• The thickness of the finishing coat may vary between 2 mm to 3mm.
• Finishing coat is levelled uniformly utilizing a wooden float.
Curing of plaster works
• Let the plastered surface try and after 12 hours; start the curing.
• Curing should be done for at least 7 days to prevent problems like cracking in future by
sprinkling water or using gunny bags.
• ( Note: Plaster should be always done from top to bottom. )
Plaster on Lath
Laths are provided for thin walls and for plastering ceilings.
Two types :
1. Wooden lath
• 25mm wide and 1 – 1.2 m long well seasoned wooden
strips
with a spacing of 10 mm , used for plastering over wooden
partition
walls and ceilings fixed by nails
• 2.Metal lath
• Fixed to surface by GI staples or wooden plugs

Plaster on Ceiling

Advantages :

• Superior workability – renders smooth finish

• Mould-ability – intricate shapes and details are possible
• Light weight nature - easy to transport and install
• Absorbs sound

Plaster ceiling repair at the Royal Academy of Arts, London

LIME PLASTER
Lime is used as a binding material in making the mortar.
A mixture of lime and sand taken in equal proportions in
a mortar mill, mechanically prepared with water to make
a paste of required consistency.
The sand proportions in lime plaster control various
properties such as shrinkage, strength, porosity,
adhesiveness & fine sand is more suitable for making the plaster.

Advantages :

• Lime plaster is able to expel moisture from your walls which can help in increasing the overall lifetime of a building and
doesn’t allow moss and other fungi to grow on top.Dealing with humidity and fungi can be difficult in buildings in high
humidity areas, but lime plaster can be an excellent solution due to its impermeability when worked on with pozzolanic
agents.

• One of the most amazing reasons for lime plaster’s durability is its autogenous feature, which allows it to self-heal and by
itself restore cracks and other forms of damage. This autogenous feature happens due to lime plaster being able to absorb
humidity and release any trapped moisture. This process helps lime plaster in dissolving areas where the plaster has
become free and naturally sealing off cracks that could happen due to a variety of reasons.

• Using lime as plaster is always a great idea because it ensures wherever you use it, it will be able to endure the test of
time. Lime has been utilized as a plastering option through many ages and different cultures, and to the date, it is still
being used as a plastering solution.
 CEMENT PLASTER

Cement plaster is a mixture of suitable plaster, sand, portland cement, and water, typically applied to masonry interiors and
exteriors to achieve a smooth surface, while interior surfaces sometimes get a final layer of gypsum plaster.
Cement plaster is a mixture of portland cement, sand (fine aggregate), and water in appropriate proportions, usually applied to
masonry interiors and exteriors to obtain a smooth surface.

ADVANTAGES OF CEMENT PLASTER: DISADVANTAGES OF CEMENT PLASTER:

• If cement properly mixed and applied, a plaster coating • This plaster is mainly weak in tension and flexural strength, due to
creates a stronger and more durable wall finish. this fact liable to cracking.
• It is used on both internal and external surfaces. • Cement vapor is not 100% permeable to water vapor.
• This plaster is not a rust inhibitor. • This plaster requires a considerable amount of water throughout
• It has more or less thermal conductivity. its curing period.
• Also, has more or less identical acoustics properties. • The percentage of wastage throughout the application is excessive.
• The application of this plaster is a time-consuming process so
increases the project cost.
GYPSUM
PLASTER  
When dry gypsum
powder is mixed with
water it gets
hardened. This
material can be
applied over block,
brick or concrete
surface to form a
smooth surface. It is
available in ready to
use format and does
not need sand. Only
the addition of water
is required.  It offers
excellent acoustic
and thermal
properties while
giving leveled walls
with the best finish.

Specifications :

Thickness – 6-20mm
Colour of Finished Surface – White
Setting Time – 25-30 Minutes
Coverage Area (12mm thickness
Properties :

• It is light-weight and hence its usage for plastering does not increase the structural load on the building.
• Gypsum plaster does not shrink during drying and hardening processes unlike cement plaster.
• It is less prone to cracks.
• Gypsum is non-combustible and contains high content of crystal water. In the event of fire, it acts like a barrier and protects
the block work, concrete and steel.
• Gypsum plaster prevents rusting of metal fittings like pipes and increases their durability.
• Gypsum plaster has low thermal conductivity and ensures energy and power saving.
• Gypsum plaster gives high tensile and flexural strength.
• According to ‘SP 62: S & T 1997 (Handbook on Building Construction Practices Excluding Electrical Work), after the plaster is
properly set and the plaster backing and backgrounds are dry, it is possible to paint gypsum plaster with any type of paint
except cement paint.

Decorative gypsum wall paneling

 Types of plaster finishes

Smooth cast finish Rough cast finish / spatter dash finish

Pebble dash / dry dash finish

Sand faced finish
Depeter finish Scrapped finish

Textured finish
Special materials used in plastering

Others:
Keene's cement plaster
Martin’s cement plaster
Parian cement plaster
Scagliola plaster
Sirapite plaster
Snowcrete and colourcrete cements
Thistle hard wall
Acoustic plaster – layers for sound proofing

Asbestos marble plaster – marble like finish Barium plaster – provided in x-ray rooms
Fire resistant plaster – for fire proofing X-ray shielding plasterboard

Granite silicon plaster – quick setting and high Plaster of Paris

elasticity
Defects in plastering

Blistering of plastered surfaces Efflorescene Popping

Cracking Flaking
Rust stains

Crazing
Peeling Uneven surface
Pointing
It is the finishing of mortar joints in the masonry.
In exposed masonry joints are considered to be the weakest and most vulnerable spots from which rain water or dampness can
Enter. Pointing consists of raking the joints to a depth of 10 – 20 mm and filling it with better quality mortar in a desired shape.

Mortar for pointing :

Lime mortar – 1:2 mix Cement mortar – 1: 3 mix