When plastered walls and ceilings
need repairs that cover more than
a fourth of the total plastered area,
complete replacement may be
more practical. When working on
older buildings you will find different
types of plaster systems were
used. Each type requires different
preparation for replastering.
Early Wood Lath
First remove the plaster down to
the wood lath. A flat-edged shovel
or heavy ice scraper can make this
work go quicker than hammers
and crow bars. Check the condition
of the lath by looking for
rusted out nails and decayed or
broken lath. If the lath is in good
condition you can just leave it in
place. Brush off the lath and seal
it with oil-base primer or bonding
agent. This