Lime Plaster - Not Gypsum Multi Finish?

[The_Architect]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum so I'm not sure if this is in the right place..
I've got an old 1792 cottage which I am renovating / living in. All the internal walls are generally lime plaster, there are a few new plasterboard walls which have modern gypsum skim.

I paid for a plasterer to plaster downstairs and he has used gypsum multi finish on everything, regardless of plaster type. I've got a baby on the way and I cant afford a plasterer for upstairs so I've started plastering myself and not got too bad a result. BUT, now im on the external walls I'm terrified of using Gypsum plaster after reading forums.

I know Lime plaster breathes more but given the professional plasterer used multi finish plaster, is it a risk for me to use it or should I be using a lime plaster on the internals too?

Its a bit more expensive (£10 a bag instead of £6) and I have to pay delivery which I don't at the local B and Q but I want to get it right.. I gather its also harder to apply but keen to make sure I don't mess with the building too much.

There are a few black mould areas on the walls (but I'd say approx 5% of the wall at first floor level). The previous owners probably wall papered it 50 years ago and its not been changed. They had patched a few spots which has now crumbled and wallpapered.

Any advice, or what I could expect if I used a modern plaster? Would it be the end of the world? Will my walls fall down?

Thanks a lot.

 

[The_Architect]

Also, if I go ahead and use Lime plaster, but then use a modern paint will that just neglect the properties of the lime anyway? Seems like I may need a breathable paint too..

 

[Vincey]

Can I ask where are you based ?

 

[ChrispyUK]

Is it bare brick on the outer walls?

 

[worthwords]

Also, if I go ahead and use Lime plaster, but then use a modern paint will that just neglect the properties of the lime anyway? Seems like I may need a breathable paint too..

I wouldn't worry too much about multifinishon internal walls but lime putty for external walls + clay paint. Or silicate might be ok.

Lime creates a buffer for moisture which is why you dont want to seal it all up with a modern paint. Depending how your ventilation is you might find black mold appearing on gypsum next to windows and on colder external surfaces and eventually it starts to get crumbly.

 

[algeeman]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum so I'm not sure if this is in the right place..
I've got an old 1792 cottage which I am renovating / living in. All the internal walls are generally lime plaster, there are a few new plasterboard walls which have modern gypsum skim.

I paid for a plasterer to plaster downstairs and he has used gypsum multi finish on everything, regardless of plaster type. I've got a baby on the way and I cant afford a plasterer for upstairs so I've started plastering myself and not got too bad a result. BUT, now im on the external walls I'm terrified of using Gypsum plaster after reading forums.

I know Lime plaster breathes more but given the professional plasterer used multi finish plaster, is it a risk for me to use it or should I be using a lime plaster on the internals too?

Its a bit more expensive (£10 a bag instead of £6) and I have to pay delivery which I don't at the local B and Q but I want to get it right.. I gather its also harder to apply but keen to make sure I don't mess with the building too much.

There are a few black mould areas on the walls (but I'd say approx 5% of the wall at first floor level). The previous owners probably wall papered it 50 years ago and its not been changed. They had patched a few spots which has now crumbled and wallpapered.

Any advice, or what I could expect if I used a modern plaster? Would it be the end of the world? Will my walls fall down?

Thanks a lot.

hi mate welcome to the forum
we have a 1 coat specialist
who is amazingly talented at 1 coating.
@essexandy
will endure your highly anticipated journey throughout your project...


andrew is highly recommended for 1 coating
his abilities are astounding.

 

[ChrispyUK]

hi mate welcome to the forum
we have a 1 coat specialist
who is amazingly talented at 1 coating.
@essexandy
will endure your highly anticipated journey throughout your project...


andrew is highly recommended for 1 coating
his abilities are astounding.

He's also got a straight edge.

 

[The_Architect]

Can I ask where are you based ?

We live in South Northamptonshire, just near Milton Keynes.

Is it bare brick on the outer walls?

Its a 1792 cottage with limestone and lime mortar / pointing. Has lime plaster so wasnt sure if the whole building needs to breathe, or if I can multifinish the internals and let it breathe externally.

Cheers guys!

 

[The_Architect]

hi mate welcome to the forum
we have a 1 coat specialist
who is amazingly talented at 1 coating.
@essexandy
will endure your highly anticipated journey throughout your project...


andrew is highly recommended for 1 coating
his abilities are astounding.

I thought one coats were an urban myth!

 

[algeeman]

He's also got a straight edge.

hes gonna kick my arse when he sees that

 

[ChrispyUK]

hes gonna kick my arse when he sees that

Its ok Alf, I've got a mate who's just put 5000 bream in in his lake. He likes bream.

 

[algeeman]

Its ok Alf, I've got a mate who's just put 5000 bream in in his lake. He likes bream.

 

[essexandy]

hi mate welcome to the forum
we have a 1 coat specialist
who is amazingly talented at 1 coating.
@essexandy
will endure your highly anticipated journey throughout your project...


andrew is highly recommended for 1 coating
his abilities are astounding.

Such king words, I'm really touched mate. It's at times like this you find out who your real friends are.

 

[essexandy]

The question that immediately sprung to my mind; what sort of architect can't afford to pay for a plasterer?
@bof does this guy qualify as one of your charity cases?

 

[The_Architect]

The question that immediately sprung to my mind; what sort of architect can't afford to pay for a plasterer?
@bof does this guy qualify as one of your charity cases?

architects dont earnas much as you think.. i earned 19.5k when i graduated with 60k debt. After a masters degree and another 30k debt i got upto 25k.

Not sure you know how much we really get paid i think you may be thinking of developers, or house flipers? Our clients have all the money not us

 

[malc]

architects dont earnas much as you think.. i earned 19.5k when i graduated with 60k debt. After a masters degree and another 30k debt i got upto 25k.

Not sure you know how much we really get paid i think you may be thinking of developers, or house flipers? Our clients have all the money not us

our local Architect charges £500 per visit, on english heritage projects. don't worry your income will soon increase.

 

[The_Architect]

our local Architect charges £500 per visit, on english heritage projects. don't worry your income will soon increase.

£500 for a site visit! I'm in the wrong sector. For that sort of money I wouldn't have to plaster the house myself!

 

[jamesthefirst]

Where did you see lime plaster at £10 a bag?

 

[The_Architect]

Where did you see lime plaster at £10 a bag?

I may be looking at the wrong stuff but here is the lime putty.. on second look its not comparable, I think this does 3m coverage at 4mm (two coats), where as normal multi finish seems to do 10m, so a lot more coverage for less price..

Lime Plaster Finish (Non-Hydraulic) (25kg)

The finest component applied onto lime plaster base coat to provide a smoother, visible finish.

www.lime-mortars.co.uk

For me, this ready mixed apply to wall may be less risky than the limelite NHL 2 which I'd have to mix with sand. There's not much information online about it so not sure I'm up for that task, but can't pay the £6,000 - £7,500 quoted to plaster my internal external walls (c.60m2)... By my math, buying this stuff which covers 3m per bag works out to be around £200 if the plaster can be skimmed straight over the existing plaster..

 

[malc]

£500 for a site visit! I'm in the wrong sector. For that sort of money I wouldn't have to plaster the house myself!

when the property has received a grant from english heritage. the Architect tells the client when he is going to make a site visit. he will then give the client a shopping list , costing thousands.

 

[malc]

I may be looking at the wrong stuff but here is the lime putty.. on second look its not comparable, I think this does 3m coverage at 4mm (two coats), where as normal multi finish seems to do 10m, so a lot more coverage for less price..

Lime Plaster Finish (Non-Hydraulic) (25kg)

The finest component applied onto lime plaster base coat to provide a smoother, visible finish.

www.lime-mortars.co.uk

For me, this ready mixed apply to wall may be less risky than the limelite NHL 2 which I'd have to mix with sand. There's not much information online about it so not sure I'm up for that task, but can't pay the £6,000 - £7,500 quoted to plaster my internal external walls (c.60m2)... By my math, buying this stuff which covers 3m per bag works out to be around £200 if the plaster can be skimmed straight over the existing plaster..

if the areas are back to brickwork, the pre mixed ,bagged plaster that you require is tarmac limelite renovation plaster. with a limelite high impact finish plaster.

 

[The_Architect]

when the property has received a grant from english heritage. the Architect tells the client when he is going to make a site visit. he will then give the client a shopping list , costing thousands.

As far as I understand its a negotiation (depending on grading). Grade 1 you better do what they say, Grade II and there is a bit more flex. They understand clients have budgets so spending a bit more on something they are keen on can lessen the burden on others. Anyway!

I spoke with some veteran local plasterers - all said as I have limestone, with lime mortar, lime pointing that I dont need the breathable interior side too. Moisture can be released externally so I can Gypsum Multi Finish the interior.

Sounds good because the quote for new lime plaster on the inside was £6.5 - £7k and you say architects cost a lot! Multi finish won't cost me £200 so no brainer.

Cheers for the help, I'm sure I'll be back soon! lol

 

[Cockney]

As far as I understand its a negotiation (depending on grading). Grade 1 you better do what they say, Grade II and there is a bit more flex. They understand clients have budgets so spending a bit more on something they are keen on can lessen the burden on others. Anyway!

I spoke with some veteran local plasterers - all said as I have limestone, with lime mortar, lime pointing that I dont need the breathable interior side too. Moisture can be released externally so I can Gypsum Multi Finish the interior.

Sounds good because the quote for new lime plaster on the inside was £6.5 - £7k and you say architects cost a lot! Multi finish won't cost me £200 so no brainer.

Cheers for the help, I'm sure I'll be back soon! lol

Put some pics up of you’re finished work mate, it’ll be lovely to see how you got on.

 

[The_Architect]

Put some pics up of you’re finished work mate, it’ll be lovely to see how you got on.

I'm sure it will be rough as hell! I've done a few test walls upstairs in the babies room - this weekend I'll be tackling the double height stair which is a bit of a challenge but already got me thinking about how to design thing properly. Nothing like doing it yourself.

Will post some snaps after the weekend - good or bad well open for some feedback.

 

[superspread]

Put some pics up of you’re finished work mate, it’ll be lovely to see how you got on.

We all need a laugh at this present moment in time

 

[superspread]

As far as I understand its a negotiation (depending on grading). Grade 1 you better do what they say, Grade II and there is a bit more flex. They understand clients have budgets so spending a bit more on something they are keen on can lessen the burden on others. Anyway!

I spoke with some veteran local plasterers - all said as I have limestone, with lime mortar, lime pointing that I dont need the breathable interior side too. Moisture can be released externally so I can Gypsum Multi Finish the interior.

Sounds good because the quote for new lime plaster on the inside was £6.5 - £7k and you say architects cost a lot! Multi finish won't cost me £200 so no brainer.

Cheers for the help, I'm sure I'll be back soon! lol

6/7 grand , that’s for 2 coat work , not just to put lime finish on the wall !

 

[essexandy]

6/7 grand , that’s for 2 coat work , not just to put lime finish on the wall !

Sshhhh! He's going to get it done with multi.

 

[superspread]

Sshhhh! He's going to get it done with multi.

s**t.. yea

 

[The_Architect]

Update
Spent two days stripping paper (woodchip on ceilings is a bugger).
today plastered two walls and a ceiling.

ceiling was terrible, too hot and wasnt used to working upwards. Plaster went everywhere and i hated it. The loft hatch + leaning over the banister had me swearing every 5 mins so probably going to have to redo it..

wall went better and happy with that. A few times my plaster wanted to pop (it would break open and id need to wet it down again).. not huge and only a few spots but like it was cracking.

I gave it good pva (1:5 day before, 1:3 before platering) and still had the issue.. any advice?

taking on the big wall tomorrow and going to do it in two goes as its too big to do in one..

 

[ChrispyUK]

Update
Spent two days stripping paper (woodchip on ceilings is a bugger).
today plastered two walls and a ceiling.

ceiling was terrible, too hot and wasnt used to working upwards. Plaster went everywhere and i hated it. The loft hatch + leaning over the banister had me swearing every 5 mins so probably going to have to redo it..

wall went better and happy with that. A few times my plaster wanted to pop (it would break open and id need to wet it down again).. not huge and only a few spots but like it was cracking.

I gave it good pva (1:5 day before, 1:3 before platering) and still had the issue.. any advice?

taking on the big wall tomorrow and going to do it in two goes as its too big to do in one..

I would have probably got rid of the coving.

 

[Cockney]

Update
Spent two days stripping paper (woodchip on ceilings is a bugger).
today plastered two walls and a ceiling.

ceiling was terrible, too hot and wasnt used to working upwards. Plaster went everywhere and i hated it. The loft hatch + leaning over the banister had me swearing every 5 mins so probably going to have to redo it..

wall went better and happy with that. A few times my plaster wanted to pop (it would break open and id need to wet it down again).. not huge and only a few spots but like it was cracking.

I gave it good pva (1:5 day before, 1:3 before platering) and still had the issue.. any advice?

taking on the big wall tomorrow and going to do it in two goes as its too big to do in one..

A few words of wisdom from me. Suction is you’re friend but it can also be you’re worst enemy! Beware of popped skim whilst decorating.

 

[The_Architect]

I would have probably got rid of the coving.

Agree having done it. Budget is everything at the moment and we quite liked the coving, pain in the arse and gave me a terrible finish around the edges.

 

[The_Architect]

A few words of wisdom from me. Suction is you’re friend but it can also be you’re worst enemy! Beware of popped skim whilst decorating.

not sure why it happens! Could it be that yesterday was very hot? 26 degrees? I properly pva’ed it and waited until it went tacky, by the time I plasteted that section of the wall the pva would have dried, could that be it?

edit: they little crack marks feel completely smooth, they arent actual cracks they just look like it..

 

[Brimstone]

Leaning over the banister? You're supposed to have a bouncy plank balanced between a too-upright ladder on one side and a upturned crate on the other. And not step back to admire your work.

 

[Deleted member 32554]

Leaning over the banister? You're supposed to have a bouncy plank balanced between a too-upright ladder on one side and a upturned crate on the other. And not step back to admire your work.