It may look easy, but anyone who has tried will know just how tricky plastering a wall or a ceiling is. The job can be made to look effortless by a good, highly skilled plasterer. Only when the job is done well will smooth, creamy plaster glide onto the surface and dry our perfectly flat.
Most Building services firms provide a range of services including plastering. When they find someone good, they hang on to them as a valuable commodity. Plastering, like every trade, has some highly skilled craftsmen and women, but many more who are still learning or just don't take care to get it right.
Mixing the plaster, preparing the surface and applying a smooth coat, each step requires many things to be taken into consideration. The plasterer's art is understood and respected by a good building services company. For example, the humidity and temperature on the day of plastering will affect the consistency of the mix and the drying time. Drying too quickly will cause the plaster to crack. The characteristics of the surface being plastered are important too. If the surface is damp or glossy, plaster won't stick. Knowing how to get all of these elements right is a skill that most people aren't aware of.
The part of the job that people do notice is the speed and art with which the plaster goes onto the wall or ceiling. Quick and steady sweeps of the arm create a smooth surface. Watching this being done well is an impressive sight and has inspired many amateurs to embark on their own projects, with disastrous consequences. Another sign of good plastering skills is the care he or she takes to avoid creating a mess. It is important to take the time to lay out dust sheets, loosen sockets and switches and vacuum the floor after you've finished.
Plasters are often directly employed by building services companies as their expertise is in such demand. An extension or renovation project often involves several tradesmen working at the same time to ensure that everything is completed on time. Plastering is one of the final tasks and cannot be done until the electricians, plumbers and joiners have all done their bit. The building services company is usually in a hurry by the time it calls in the plasterer, so availability is crucial.
Once they have seen examples, good or bad, most people, whether managing their own building work, or employing a building services company, appreciate the skill and art of plastering.
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