Removing plaster from walls is a demanding task that requires preparation, the right tools, and patience. Properly removing plaster is important for a successful project, whether renovating an older home or making repairs.
This guide will walk you through the steps to safely and efficiently down plaster walls.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Removing plaster from walls is demanding but manageable with the right tools, preparation, and safety measures.
Start by securing the area with protective sheets, wearing personal protective equipment, and ensuring the power is off. Then, use a hammer, chisel, or power tool to chip away at the plaster in small sections, avoiding damaging drywall, lath, or hidden electrical wiring.
It is crucial to control dust, properly dispose of debris, and assess for hazardous materials like asbestos. Whether for renovation, repairs, or historical restoration, careful removal ensures a smooth transition to the next phase of your project.
Safety First: Precautions And Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Before starting, gather the necessary safety gear:
- Dust Mask or Respirator: To protect against dust and particles.
- Safety Glasses: To shield your eyes from debris.
- Gloves: For hand protection against sharp edges and rough surfaces.
- Ear Protection: Use earplugs or earmuffs, especially if using power tools.
- Sturdy Footwear: To protect your feet from falling debris.
Room Preparation
To keep dust and debris from spreading:
- Seal the Area: Use plastic sheets to seal doorways and windows. For better containment, consider using a zip door.
- Clear the Space: Remove all furniture and cover any remaining items with tarps or old bedsheets.
- Turn Off Power: Disconnect power in the room to avoid accidents with hidden wires.
Assessing The Condition Of Your Walls
Before deciding to remove plaster, inspect the walls closely. If the plaster is cracked but adheres
to the wall, you could repair it. However, removal is best if it’s loose or falling off.
Tools Required For Plaster Removal
Hand Tools And Power Tools
- Hammer and Chisel: Useful for manually removing plaster and targeting specific areas.
- Hammer Drill or Chisel Hammer: Speeds up the process but generates more dust and noise.
- Utility Knife: To cut through drywall mud or plaster edges.
- Crowbar or Pry Bar: For removing lath strips from the studs.
- Vacuum Cleaner or Shop-Vac: This cleans up dust and debris as you work.
Step-By-Step Process For Plaster Removal
Removing plaster from walls requires careful handling and proper techniques to ensure you don’t damage the underlying structure or create a bigger mess.
Let’s explore each step of the process to help you achieve a clean and efficient removal.
Step 1: Removing Loose Plaster
The first step in plaster removal involves locating and removing the loose sections of plaster on the wall.
- Tap and Identify Loose Areas: Begin by lightly tapping the surface of the plaster with a hammer. This helps identify areas where the plaster has separated from the wall. Loose plaster sounds hollow and may show visible cracks.
- Chip Away Carefully: Once you’ve identified the weak spots, use a hammer and chisel to chip away the plaster carefully. Position the chisel at a low angle to prevent damage to the underlying lath (thin wooden strips supporting the plaster).
It is important to maintain a steady, controlled movement to avoid applying too much force, which could break the lath if you intend to keep it.
- Work in Small Sections: Tackling small sections at a time makes the task more manageable and helps reduce the amount of dust and debris generated.
Working methodically from top to bottom allows gravity to assist in removing the plaster, making cleanup easier as you go along.
Step 2: Removing Plaster From Drywall
If your wall features drywall covered with a layer of plaster, the removal process requires a slightly different approach.
- Scrape Off Loose Plaster: Use a drywall knife to remove any loose or flaking plaster from the surface. Be gentle to prevent gouging or damaging the drywall underneath.
Scraping helps to create a smoother base, which makes it easier to remove the remaining plaster.
- Cut Peeling Sections: For areas where the plaster is still partially attached but peeling, use a utility knife to cut around the edges of the peeling plaster. This method helps to isolate the damaged areas, preventing further damage to the drywall.
Cutting the peeling sections also provides cleaner lines and reduces the likelihood of tearing the drywall paper when scraping.
- Avoid Over-Damaging Drywall: Protect the drywall paper when removing plaster from the drywall. If you tear the paper, it may require more extensive repairs later.
The goal is to remove the plaster without compromising the integrity of the drywall itself.
Step 3: Inspect And Protect The Walls
After removing the plaster’s bulk, inspecting the wall’s condition and protecting critical areas is important.
- Locate Studs and Cables: Use a wall scanner to pinpoint the studs, pipes, and electrical cables behind the wall. Knowing their exact position is vital to prevent accidental damage during removal.
Mark these locations clearly to avoid hitting them with your tools.
- Turn Off Electricity: If you suspect any electrical cables are present, turn off the power supply to the room at the main fuse box.
This simple precaution reduces the risk of accidental shocks or damage to electrical circuits.
- Check for Hazardous Materials: Older homes, especially those built before the 1980s, might have plaster containing asbestos or lead-based paint. If disturbed, both materials pose significant health risks.
If you notice the presence of suspicious materials, stop the work immediately and consult a professional for proper testing and safe removal procedures.
To prevent exposure to harmful particles, certified professionals should only handle asbestos and lead paint.
- Repairing or Preserving the Lath: If the lath underneath is in good condition and you plan to reuse it, take extra care not to damage it during the plaster removal.
Preserving the lath can save time and money in future wall restoration or when applying new plaster.
Additional Tips For Plaster Removal
- Keep the Area Clean: As you work, periodically vacuum or sweep away debris to keep the workspace safe and organised.
A clean workspace helps identify new problem areas and reduces the risk of tripping or inhaling dust.
- Control the Dust: Plaster removal generates a significant amount of dust. To minimise airborne particles, lightly mist the plaster with water before scraping.
This tactic can help settle the dust, making it easier to handle and reducing respiratory risks.
- Dispose of Debris Properly: Collect all plaster debris in heavy-duty garbage bags. Check local guidelines for disposing of construction waste to ensure you’re handling it in an environmentally friendly manner.
Following these steps with precision and care will help you effectively remove plaster while protecting your walls’ structural integrity and safety.
This careful approach makes the removal process more manageable and prepares your space for any future renovation or restoration work you plan to undertake.
Why Remove Plaster?
Common Reasons For Plaster Removal
- Deterioration: Due to humidity, mechanical pressure, or age, plaster can weaken and crumble over time, leaving walls unsightly and uneven.
- Renovation Needs: Modern renovations often involve updating electrical wiring, insulation, or plumbing, which requires removing the plaster to access the wall cavity.
- Historical Restoration: In older buildings, maintaining the original plaster may be important, but sometimes it’s beyond repair and needs to be replaced with drywall or other materials.
Tips For A Cleaner, Faster Removal
Working Efficiently
- Break It Up: Work in small, manageable sections to avoid overwhelming dust and debris.
- Keep Tools Handy: Have all your tools within reach to avoid constant interruptions.
Protecting Floors And Surfaces
- Floor Protection: Use plywood or heavy-duty plastic sheets to cover and protect the floor from falling debris.
- Avoid Water Damage: When controlling dust, don’t oversaturate the area with water, as this can create a muddy mess.
Conclusion
Removing plaster from walls can be challenging, but it’s entirely doable with proper planning, the right tools, and safety measures.
If you’re dealing with old plaster in a historically significant home, consider repairing it before removing it. Remember to work in small sections, keep the area clean, and prioritise safety.
Whether updating electrical systems, insulating, or simply renovating, careful plaster removal is key to a successful home improvement project.
Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Plaster
Is It Worth It to Remove Plaster Walls?
Plaster should not be removed and replaced by drywall, nor covered up by drywall. Covering makes spaces smaller and ruins the look of adjacent details such as mouldings and door and window casings.
How Do You Remove Plaster Cleanly?
If you’re removing plaster and lath from both sides of a wall, do this: Completely strip one side of the wall, then attack the other side from behind. Stab at the lath with a square shovel next to studs. As the lath loosens, the plaster breaks away and falls off.
Is It Hard to Remove Plaster Walls?
Removing plaster from walls is not a difficult job but is time-consuming and messy. Behind the plaster walls are narrow strips of wood called lath. The lath nailed directly to the wall studs supports the plaster wall coat. After removing the plaster, you can leave the lath in place if you wish.
What Will Dissolve Plaster?
The sodium in baking soda hooks up with sulphur in the plaster, and the carbon hooks up with the calcium in the plaster. So, to best dissolve the plaster of paris, place it in warm water with lots of baking soda.
Is Plaster a Cement?
The most common types of plaster mainly contain either gypsum, lime, or cement, but all work in a similar way. The plaster is manufactured as a dry powder mixed with water to form a stiff but workable paste immediately before it is applied to the surface.
