Plasterwork

Before the widespread use of modern gypsum and Portland cement in the 1900s, plasters were generally lime based. These traditional mixes were softer, porous and compatible with historic forms of construction. They also tend to be more flexible and better able to accommodate the movement often seen in older properties. Significantly, they do not trap moisture, allowing buildings to ‘breathe’.

Maintenance checklist

• Examine walls and ceilings for cracked, bulging and loose plaster

• Note areas of plaster that sound hollow when tapped

• Identify and deal with the cause of any damp