PLASTERING

The art of covering the surface of the masonry work with a suitable plaster is called plastering.
The plaster used may be cement plaster, lime plaster or any specified plaster.
CEMENT PLASTERING : For Brick Masonry 18mm thick ,(1:6) Plaster in two layers may
be used on external faces & 12mm thick (1:6) plaster on internal faces.
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PURPOSE OF PLASTERING:
To provide an even, smooth, regular, clean & durable finished surface.
To protect the surface from the effects of weathering agencies .
To conceal the defective workmanship.
To cover inferior quality of materials used in the masonry.
To provide smooth base for decorative surface finishes.
To protect the surface against dust, dirt & vermin nuisance in case of internal plastering.

Requirements of good plaster:

1. It should adhere to back ground
2. Hard durable
3. Good workability
4. Possible to apply during all weather conditions
5. Should be cheap
6. Effectively check penetration of moisture.
Types of mortars for plastering
Lime mortar
Cement mortar
Lime cement mortar ( 1:1:8, 1:2:8)
Terms used in mortar:
Blistering: Development of local swelling on finished plastered surface due to
unslaked lime nodules.
Crazing: Development of hair cracks usually in irregular pattern over finished
surface.
Dado: Lower part of plastered wall, where special treatment is given to make it
better resistance.
Dots: Small projections of plasters laid on the back ground for fixing screeds.
Dubbing coat: Process of filling up hollow spaces in the solid back ground before
applying the main body of plaster.
Flacking: Process of scaling away patches of plaster of previous coat due to lack
of adhesion.
Gauging: Process of mixing various constituents of plaster
Grinning: Appearance on the surface of plaster, of the pattern of joints in the back
ground.

 Hacking: Process of roughening the back ground to provide suitable bond

Keys: These are openings on the background of under coat to which plaster will
form mechanical bond.
Laitance: When freshly laid concrete or mortar is subjected to excessive
trowelling a screen consisting of thin layer of fine cement particles is formed.
Peeling: Dislodgement of plaster work from back ground
Under coat: These are the coats of plaster applied under the finishing coat.
Tools for plastering

Gauging trowel
Float
Float rule
Miscellaneous tools: Plum bob, sprit level, set square, straight edge etc.

Types of plaster Finishes

Smooth cast finish: Smooth levelled surface is obtained.

Sand faced finish: Surface having sand grains of equal and uniform density
Rough cast finish: (1: 1.5: 3) The mortar is dashed against the prepared
plastered surface by means of large trowel. The surface is ten roughly
finished..
Pebble dash or dry dash finish: Clean pebbles of size 10 to 20 mm size are
then dashed against the surface, so that they are held in position. The
pebbles mat lightly pressed into the mortar with the help of wooden float.
Depeter finish: This is similar to the pebble dash finish in which 12 mm coat is
applied and while it is still wet, the pieces of gravel pressed with hand on
surface.
Scrapped finish: Final coat of 6 to 12 mm thick is applied and after it has
stiffened for few hours, the surface is scrapped in patterns for a depth of
3mm. It is less liable to cracks.
Textured finish: Ornamental or textured surfaces are made on the final coat of
plastering.

Special material for plastering

Acoustic plaster
Asbestos marble plaster
Barium plaster
Granite silicon plaster
Gypsum plaster (plaster of paris)
Kenees cement plaster
Martin cement plaster
Parian cement plaster
Scagliola plaster
Sirapite plaster
Snowcrete and colourcrete plaster (White and colour cements)
Thistle plaster.

STEPS FOR CEMENT PLASTERING

1. PREPARATION OF THE SURFACE: Before applying the plaster, the surface will be
prepared. The joints of the masonry are properly raked to a depth of 10-15mm to provide
key to the plaster. The surface is then thoroughly wetted with water, washed & kept wet
for 6 hrs. When the surface is ready, plaster is applied.
2. SCREED WORK FOR PLASTER: In order to obtain uniform thickness & true surface
plaster, wooden screeds 7.5cm wide & of required thickness of the plaster are generally
fixed vertically 2.4-3m apart. Careful plumbing should be done in fixing of these
screeds.
3. PREPARATION OF CEMENT PLASTER: The cement plaster is prepared in batches
so as to lay & finish the plastered surface with each batch within half an hour after adding
water to the dry cement sand mix . Before adding water care should be taken that cement
& sand are properly mixed to obtain a homogeneous mass of the plaster.
4. APPLICATIONS OF PLASTER COAT: The cement plaster is applied in one or two
coats. In case of single coat, the mortar is dashed against the surface between the screeds.
Surplus plaster is removed with the help of masons straight edge & then the plaster is
pressed well with wooden float so that the plaster may fill in the joints of masonry. The
surface is then finally polished with trowel or iron float. The thickness of this coat should
not be more than 12mm. In case plastering is to be done in two coats, the first coat is
applied as same the only difference that is, it is not polished. Before applying second
coat, the first coat is allowed to set but its should not become dry, & roughened with
scratching tool to provide a key to the second coat. The second coat is then applied in a
thin layer, not exceeding 3mm in thickness within 48 hours after applying the first coat. It
is then well trowelled & rubbed perfectly smooth with the help of steel float. It is then
allowed to set for 2 days.
5. CURING: The plastered surface is then cured by sprinkling water over the surface &
keeping it wet for one to two weeks.Unless otherwise specified, thickness of plaster
should not exceed.