The UK has to put up with several different weather conditions. Our country experiences it all, from sun and wind to rain, snow, and frost. Then there are the extremes, including heatwaves and long rainy spells. It’s necessary to factor in the weather when plastering. This isn’t solely during the application stage though; you must consider the curing/drying/hardening stage as well. We’re going to talk about plastering in both cold and hot weather to show you the difference. Then, if you need the best plasterers in Sheffield for a project, you can call us.
Plastering when it’s cold
Guidance from the International Building Code for cement and NHBC states that you should avoid plastering when it is freezing. According to NHBC, screeding, rendering, and plastering shall not be done in cold weather unless you take suitable precautions. As for the International Building Code, it says plaster coats shall be protected from freezing for 24 hours and no less after initial set.
With all the info above in mind, plastering shouldn’t be done in extreme cold temperatures. Nor should you ever apply it to a frozen substrate. Frost can prove especially destructive to plaster as it causes it to freeze on the wall. It will weaken and then fall off.
You do of course add water to bagged plaster and, because water freezes at 0ºC, there will be issues. Water gets mixed into the cement plaster to produce a chemical reaction. This allows the plaster to cure and harden. When it is colder, the process takes longer. So, the strength of your plaster could be much lower. Temperature fluctuations can lead to movements in the substrate. In turn it creates cracks. You are best off applying plaster above 4.4ºC and maintaining a temperature above this. Do so for 48 hours following application.
You may opt to use warm air heaters to reach an appropriate plastering temperature. Here, it’s best to warm the room a day prior to starting. Although, you must be mindful not to generate condensation. This slows the drying time more. Ensure you ventilate the room to remove moisture. Keeping tools in a warm place is also a great idea. Contact us if you need the most talented plasterers in Sheffield.
Hot conditions
We’ll move onto plastering in the heat next. When it gets very dry or hot, there are other challenges. There isn’t a definitive maximum plastering temperature. Interior plastering has the advantage of having less exposure to the elements. Thus, it’s a bit more protected. Yet, there are points to be aware of when you plaster in the heat.
Most importantly, the curing/drying time is going to be shorter when it is hotter. It can have effects on the material’s strength and result in cracking. If your plaster dries too rapidly, it could be weak and develop a powdery exterior. It isn’t a great base for subsequent plaster layers or decorative coats.
A solution here would be to slow down the curing time by dampening the surface. To do this, you can fog it with water during curing. Moreover, it is a good idea to introduce plaster in smaller sections. Or, you can do a test area to find out how long your material stays workable for.
Whatever you do, don’t plaster in direct sunlight. This could mean beginning work slightly earlier when it’s cool. Furthermore, it is worth keeping the tools out of direct sunlight. Rooms also need ventilating to permit a natural curing process. Saying this, you should avoid opening the windows too widely. It would only allow more unwanted warm air in. Keep yourself aware of the wall temperature too. When the wall is warm, it is going to draw moisture away. The result will be weaker plaster and cracking.
Punctual and courteous plasterers in Sheffield
At G Lee Plastering, we offer a prompt and punctual service. Clients don’t have to wait all day for us to start working. Even better, we clean up after ourselves once we finish so everything will be clean and tidy.
If you choose us, you’ll be working with the finest plasterers in Sheffield. So, you can be confident the results will be excellent. If you need our help, please get in touch.