The walls that have been freshly plastered can cause a room to feel complete; the change from rough blockwork to a smooth finish is breathtaking; however, it’s not the end of the story.
Recently, I’ve seen many walls plastered. They look fantastic, very smooth and pleasant and even, but they’re damp and require protection and are ready for decorating, but how long will it take for them to dry?
New Plaster should take at least three days to dry using plasterboard. Backing plaster must be allowed to sit for 7 days before drying completely. In damp conditions, new Plaster may require longer. Examine for dark areas or patches that suggest moisture. Dry plaster should have an even, light color.
Why Do You Need To Wait?
As mentioned earlier, not allowing the plaster to dry could result in adhesion issues. For instance, if used emulsion paint on wet plaster, it might not adhere properly and eventually peel away from the ceiling or wall. The same issue could occur when you wallpaper directly onto fresh plaster that’s not yet dry, as the wallpaper paste will not be able to bond with the wall.
How to speed up drying time
The drying out process of the new plaster can be improved substantially by increasing the ventilation in the space- by opening doors and windows. The addition of a dehumidifier is a great way to eliminate moisture from the air.
Introduction of heating has to be handled with care. A low background heat is preferred to raise the temperature high, which may dry out the plaster too quickly and result in cracking.
How Long Does Plaster Take To Dry
Based on our experience, freshly plastered boards can take up to three days for drying. If you have the backing plaster plastered, it will take two times as long to completely dry. The amount of plaster used, the timing of the year central heating, and other factors can all impact the amount of time to dry the plaster.
But, even if it’s over the two to three days that it takes for the plaster to dry, it is recommended to inspect the plaster visually. Before you paint or use wallpaper, be sure that there aren’t any dark spots at all. If you can wait at least a week to allow the plaster to dry before you begin decorating is suggested (as long as there are no dark areas).
Do I need to keep windows open after putting down the plaster?
The first thing you need to do is open at minimum one window in each room that is plastered. This will let the moisture evaporate. Plasterboard typically takes a couple of days to dry after being put up, while backing plaster can take about 4-6 days.
Do you have the ability to extend the plaster’s dry time?
There are several methods to make the process faster. Some of them are tips, but others could harm your final product. The most effective method is to utilize heaters. If you wish that your wall surfaces dry quicker, then place some heaters around the area of work then let it dry on its own.
Some tradesmen prefer to employ dehumidifiers. However, I wouldn’t say I like this method. The dehumidifier sucks up the water from the thistle and, in turn, causes the plaster to dry faster. The wall may then begin to break and can affect the durability of the plaster.
How do I treat fresh plaster?
The newly skimmed walls are the perfect way to finish an area and give the room an attractive appearance.
The proper treatment of fresh plaster is essential to ensuring that your house appears good and lasts for many years.
Before applying any finishing material to your ceilings or walls, ensure that the plaster has been thoroughly dried.
Freshly dry plaster is highly absorbent and can absorb any moisture put on it, so it is essential that the first coat you apply fills the void and seals the plaster.
Applying a “mist coat” of diluted emulsion enables the plaster to break through the initial thirst and create a solid surface that paints, and other coatings may attach to.
How To Speed Up Drying Plaster
If you’re working to an extremely tight timeframe or cannot stand the sight of the wet plaster for too long, There are ways you can implement to accelerate the process of drying. The most efficient way is to utilize an air dehumidifier. However, it is essential to be cautious when using this method, as drying too fast can crack.
The best approach we suggest is lots of air circulation (opening of doors) and a lower background temperature. However, if you’re too eager and hurry the drying process, this could cause problems that you’ll regret later.
Preparing Plaster For Painting
Once dry, new plaster will show an airy layer of dust on its surface. Clean it off before using any paint. Once the plaster has thoroughly dried and cured, a thinned-down coat (65 35% paint, 65 percent water) of an emulsion that is not vinyl must be applied.
This is known as a most coat’ and will be absorbed in the newly formed plaster and form an initial primer or key before using the paint system. Next, the mist coat needs to be spread uniformly and dry thoroughly.
At this point, some surface filling is required. Any flaws in the plaster will be apparent after the spray coat. Be aware of the corners around electrical fittings and other fittings. The plasterer might have had an issue with finishing due to the difficulty of getting trowels into tight spaces. Also, fill and rub the area using an abrasive filler, sandpaper, and fine filler and then mist coat the areas that have been filled.
Do I need the hairdryer to dry the plaster?
Can I dry plaster using a hairdryer? Ensure that the drying process is assisted by opening doors and windows whenever possible, but do not dry plaster with radiators heaters such as hair dryers or dehumidifiers. It can cause the plaster to dry too fast, causing hairlines or cracks on the surface.
What can you tell when the plaster is dry?
It is possible to tell when it’s dry simply by observing the color change. If the plaster appears to have uniform pale pink tones, it is clear it’s dry. It’s best to keep waiting until the brown color has gone – if you apply the apply paint too soon, you risk the paint flaking off or creating mold because of the salts found in the thistle.
I’ve included a photo of a plastering job and will show you the steps and examples of the various drying phases.
For more information and assistance, visit the following websites.
https://job-prices.co.uk/plaster-dry-time/
https://darimo.uk/how-long-does-plaster-take-to-dry/
https://thediyhelpdesk.com/how-long-does-plaster-take-to-dry-a-complete-guide/
https://wall2walldecorating.co.uk/how-long-before-painting-over-new-plaster/
https://verifiedtrades.co.uk/questions/how-long-does-plaster-take-to-dry
https://www.myworkman.co.uk/questions/view/1444/how-long-to-leave-plaster-to-dry-/
https://plasteringforbeginners.co.uk/what-is-the-plaster-drying-time/
https://www.seniorcare2share.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-new-plaster-to-dry-out/
https://www.mybuilder.com/questions/v/7738/how-long-before-painting-on-newly-skimmed-walls
https://www.quora.com/How-long-does-plaster-take-to-dry