To become a certified plasterer, the tradie would have been under apprenticeship for several years and earned a Certificate III in Solid Plastering. The total time depends on the employer and exact type of certification they want to achieve.
To become a certified plasterer, the tradie would have been under apprenticeship for several years and earned a Certificate III in Solid Plastering. The total time depends on the employer and exact type of certification they want to achieve.
Being a plasterer is a skilled trade and some qualities are needed. They often work under aggressive deadlines and need to have attention to detail to avoid mistakes and subsequent delays. They also need to be physically fit to keep up all day at the worksite.
Plaster is picky with how it is applied and dries. Cracking can be caused by coats that are too thick or thin, moister loss, and uneven drying. Minor cracks can be fixed with a gap filler and some paint, but sometimes cracks can be too large to patch. When plaster shows evidence of cracking and
The ceiling is finished first to avoid risk of damaging finished walls. This also allows crisp, neat seams to be done where the wall meets the ceiling.
In general, only two coats of plaster are needed to have a good result. A base layer and a durable topcoat. However, sometimes a third coat is needed to smooth out any blemishes and imperfections.
The intended surface needs to be prepped before plaster can be applied. Remove anything like wallpaper and poor paint with a scraper or sandpaper. PVA or a textured tape can also be put on the surface to increase the surface area for plaster to bind to.
If you are plastering over painted bricks, a bonding primer will need to be applied first. This gives the plaster something to attach to that’s better than paint.
PVA helps prevent plaster from drying too quickly. When plaster dries too fast, it is more likely to crack or have weak spots. This is especially used when applied onto a painted surface.
Plastering makes the surface smooth and covers any nicks or scratches. It is generally resistant to bumps and scratches once it has fully set.
The undercoat, or base coat, is the first layer of plaster. It is then textured to make it look like a comb was run over it to give the top coat a better chance to secure firmly.