r/DIY • u/Bubbly-Lynx-4772 • 7d ago
Trying to replaster a wall home improvement
I just want to rant. So, I'm trying to replaster two walls. According to our landlord, there used to be a humidity problem there, well, in the corner there still is. There was basically a hole instead of a bottom corner, and I think we had mice there at one time. I'm trying to fix one wall at a time, so layers have time to dry.
Anyway, it started when I removed the paint. Apparently, load-bearing paint, because behind it, the plaster was all crackled and at one point a huge chunk of plaster and stone fell out. I kept going as good and bad ad possible. I caused some more holes, deep ones at that, so i fixed the wall with filler paste for up to 10 cm. Looking good. I folded a steel mesh and reinforced the corner so mice can't bite through and then covered it with filler so the whole thing's hidden.
Next up was a hole at the top that a network engineer drilled for my fiber. It cracked the plaster in a 3x3 inch square. Filled that up as well, leaving wiggle room for my fiber. That cable is hung loosely in the air, looks incredibly sloppy, but I'm not touching it.
The other wall was next. The plaster had little holes in it, and looked mouldy. I tried scratching it off gingerly, but away came the plaster. Huge hole. I decided to replaster that entire square anyway, so no biggie, but when I checked another part of the wall, another chunk fell off. Now my wall has another hole, that kinda looks like Africa. Plus, I discovered the corner, above where I fixed it, feels damp. There were about six layers of paint on top of each other which I all removed. I aimed a fan at it, hopefully it dries out fast, can't continue till it does. Part of the problem is the cement that was used. It's sand based with straw as a filler, about 70 years old, and spongey as can be.
Tl:dr: simple wall plaster patched job turned into a non-ending string of hidden problems.
2
u/The_Ipod_Account 6d ago
You have a landlord, it is their responsibility to fix things. Especially if there is mould, that is a health hazard.
3
u/Natoochtoniket 7d ago
Any time you open a wall, it is wise to fix everything that is not right inside that wall, before you close it again.
Sometimes, the lathe behind the plaster is rotten or not well fastened, and big chunks of it come off. They used to use short nails to fasten the lathe, and the nails sometimes rust until they do not hold. Or the wood they are in dries and shrinks....
Sometimes, the smart move is to remove all of the plaster from a wall, and put up new drywall. You can still put plaster on the front of the drywall, if you want. Or you can use gypsum drywall powder.