Plaster wall failure occurs for several reasons. Plaster is an extremely versatile product. The fact that is labor intensive and takes a long time to install has led to its replacement in most residential applications. One drawback to plaster is the fact that it is mixed in the field.

Human error and varying conditions can change the composition, and quality, of the plaster mix. Over time the coats of plaster can start to separate from one another. Or the entire plaster assemble may separated from the substrate.

Large areas of plaster can fall off or loosen up. When this happens, you are faced with a large plaster wall repair. Installing plaster for large areas is generally not practical. It can be done, but it is usually beyond the skill level of the average homeowner. See the articles on 'Drywall Patching' and 'Mixing Drywall and Plaster' for information on using drywall for a plaster wall failure. You can also see 'Spackling a Plaster Wall' for minor repairs.

For those that want to know what it takes, we will give you a quick run down. Plaster is normally installed in three coats. The scratch coat goes on first and is a fairly thin layer of base coat. The idea behind this coat is to get a good bond to the substrate. A wire tool is used to put scratches into the coat before it dries. The scratched provide 'keys' for the other coats to fill and bond to.

So can you use drywall tape and compound to make larger plaster wall repairs? Yes you can although some caution is required. Whether it is plaster or drywall, the main purpose is for it to hold up the paint. A smooth plaster surface or a smooth drywall surface will both to the job. Drywall compound will stick to plaster and drywall tape will bridge gaps and smaller holes. The moral to this story is that drywall materials will work for plaster repairs as long as they are not too severe.

Using drywall mud and tape does require some skill and practice. See the articles 'How To Patch Drywall' and 'Taping and Mudding Drywall' for pointers and information on using drywall materials to repair walls and ceilings.

Drywall materials are easier to obtain, they are readily available at home supply stores. Plaster materials are more difficult to obtain. You have to go drywall or masonry suppliers to obtain them. You also need a lot more practice to master these skills. Where possible, the course of wisdom is to try and use drywall products for plaster wall repairs.

Spackling plaster walls is done the same way as you would for drywall. The easiest way to patch small holes and and cracks is to use spackling or drywall compound. Plaster and drywall are both gypsum based, so the two materials will adhere to one another.

Fill the holes and lightly sand them as needed until you have a smooth surface. You may need to coat them two or three times, depending on the size of the hole.

For additional information, you can see the article 'How To Spackle Drywall'. This article has information on the material to use and how to install it.

The main difference between plaster and drywall is that, drywall has a paper facing on it. Plaster walls are generally three different types of plaster, that are build up to achieve the surface. When your holes or damage get deeper into the plaster you may have to do some extra work. See the article 'Fixing Holes in Plaster Walls', for more information.

Making plaster wall repairs can be a little different than repairing drywall, why? For one thing plaster is installed differently than drywall. Drywall comes in sheets, two pieces of paper with a gypsum core in the middle. Only the seams receive drywall compound to finish it off.

Plaster and drywall are sometimes used interchangeably, not sure if you have a plaster wall? See the article 'How To Patch Walls and Ceilings' and 'Drywall Repair Problems' for a listing of all the topics.

An old style plaster wall is installed with three coats of troweled material over a substrate. Plaster requires a lot more skill than drywall, not to mention a lot more work. When the plaster dries the coats bond together into one monolithic wall or ceiling. How difficult it is to repair plaster is determined by how stable the plaster is now.

Small repairs can be done with drywall compound and drywall tape. It is even possible to use pieces of drywall to make larger repairs. Plaster is a gypsum based product, the same as drywall, so the two materials are compatible.

Plaster Wall Repairs - Information

There is a wide range of cost for this type of repair. The minimum would be around $100 with several hundred or even thousands possible. Drywall and plaster repairs often require, multiple steps, thus increasing the cost.

Plaster wall repairs involve both work and skill. With a little practice, the skill can be acquired. You will not be able to get around the work.

You can fix minor cracks and holes with spackling. You can purchase a small can at a home supply store. See the article 'How To Spackle Drywall' for instructions on this easy repair. The article 'How To Repair Drywall', provides a general discussion on wall and ceiling repair topics.

Plaster wall repairs and their cousins, drywall patching, can be a messy job. Drywall or plaster dust is very fine and gets everywhere. Take precautions and protect the area. Using some plastic to close off the area is a good idea. Getting a good finish on the repair will take some practice. You may have to put an extra coat or two on, with some sanding in between. See the article 'Taping and Mudding Drywall' for some pointers on working with drywall compound.

Troubleshooting Plaster Wall Problems

Fixing small holes and dings in plaster walls is the same as a drywall wall. 'Spackling Plaster Walls' covers this topic.

When you have a bigger hole in your wall it is more of a problem. The article 'Fixing Holes in Plaster Walls' covered what can be done and how to fix it.

Plaster products are less  common than drywall. They are also harder to use. Since plaster and drywall are made from the same materials, can they be mixed? The article 'Using Drywall on Plaster Walls' covered how to do this.

Plaster is similar to drywall, since it is made from the same products. However, the way it is installed is completely different. Human error is also a factor with plaster. Over time plaster can fail and start to fall off the wall. The article 'Plaster Wall Failure' discussed what can be done when this happens.

Summary

Do you have plaster walls in your home? At first you may be intimidated with the thought of trying to repair them. There is no need for fear. Plaster and drywall are very similar. In fact plaster was the predecessor of drywall and in many ways if very similar.

Hopefully, you were able to obtain some the materials at a home supply store that worked on your problem. Once it is sanded, a smooth drywall surface can look as good as a plaster wall. Now that this project is complete, you can move on to other home repairs.