Cracks and holes can appear in just about any plaster wall, but how should you go about patching them up? Should you do it yourself or should you call a professional? It depends on a lot of factors, but consider the following when you need to have your plaster walls repaired.
01. How Long the Repairs Take
Depending on the size and scope of the damage to the plaster wall, repairs can take anywhere from an hour or so to a few days if you know what you’re doing. Professionals work with plaster walls on a daily basis, so chances are they’ll be able to get the job done in far less time than if you have to read guides on how to patch and repair cracks and holes using the correct techniques.
Time is one of the most important considerations if you’re planning to DIY the repairs. Since plaster dries relatively quickly, it’s potentially wasteful to keep having to pause and resume the repairs if you’re unsure of what you’re doing.
02. Tools of the Trade
One advantage for do-it-yourselfers is that the tools required for plaster wall repairs aren’t too specialised nor are they too expensive, so you could readily find these tools at most hardware shops across Australia.
For most projects, you’ll require the plaster itself, drop sheets, dust mask, gloves, protective goggles, scraper, spray water bottle, bonding and sealing agents, broadknives (100mm-150mm), a sanding block, a sanding knife, and abrasive paper.
03. The Correct Technique
Although the tools for plaster wall repair aren’t too hard to come by, the correct technique only comes with expertise and repetition, something many homeowners lack compared to professional plaster tradespeople. A plaster professional comes with one tool that isn’t so easy to acquire: the correct technique for plaster wall repair.
Learning the correct techniques yourself is made a lot easier nowadays with plenty of tutorial videos online, but it’s no substitute for getting your hands dirty and trying it yourself until you’ve mastered it.
04. A Durable, Quality Finish
Plaster wall repairs achieve two main goals: to remediate damage to the wall itself (structural) and to leave the wall with a clean finish (aesthetic) for future priming and painting. Using the correct technique, it’s possible to achieve both of these goals yourself, but bumps and ridges may persist causing a visible mark afterwards.
Professional plaster wall repairs will leave your plaster walls with a clean, consistent finish that looks just like new.
05. Cost-Efficiency
The best part about DIY projects is that they’re free, right? Well, not quite. Simple DIY projects require your own time, labour, and equipment, which most of us would agree aren’t free. There’s no free lunch, so how long it takes and how much equipment is required will set you back. Having said that, small patches and holes are probably easier to do yourself provided you don’t take too long.
Hairline cracks and more seriously damaged plaster, however, really should be repaired by a professional. By getting the job done right the first time, you can end up saving potentially thousands of dollars in the long run.
We Fix Walls
The friendly plaster wall specialists at We Fix Walls can help bring life back to your wall repairs Melbourne should they be cracked or damaged using the right tools and plenty of expertise. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services.
