I am currently re-plastering my living room in c1920s house. Having
stripped the wallpaper the existing lime plaster has a huge number of
hairline cracks with a few larger cracks thrown in.

Having done some re-skim work in other parts of the house I have found
over time some of the hairlines have re-appeared and joins between
patches and existing plaster have opened up again. Although this has
happened over the period of a few years each winter a few more seem to
appear.

Option 1:

Hack the whole lot off and replaster with Hardwall and then
Multi-Finish. If the walls don't have any joins/patches this will
reduce potential weak points that are liable to crack. Hardwall on lime
mortar walls will crack to a certain extent over time due to the walls
being flexible and Hardwall not.

Option 2:

Tape the large cracks and skim the existing. Has anyone any experience
of fibre-bind which can be added to the 1st coat of the skim mix ? This
is supposed to help prevent cracking but I wonder if it works. I also
think it reduces the setting time marginally which could make the job
more difficult.

Option 3:

Re-plaster with sand/cement/lime (hydrated) but this will be hard work
and heavy. The lime will introduce some flex though but still probably
not as good as the original.

Should I just face it and accept that *all* plaster will crack over
time and just take the easiest option - 2 ?

TIA for any advice.

In article . com,
says...
I am currently re-plastering my living room in c1920s house. Having
stripped the wallpaper the existing lime plaster has a huge number of
hairline cracks with a few larger cracks thrown in.

Option 4: (A lot less work) Cut back the large cracks ie undercut them
so the base of the crack is wider than the surface. Fill with lime
mortar. Allow to set up for a few days. Use limewash to fill in the
hairline cracks and generally consolidate the surface. Leave to set for
a couple of weeks before redecorating or simply decorate with limewash

You will then have a continuous and reliable 1920s wall. However if you
are keen on getting a plumb and perfect surface then you will ignore my
suggestion

I used to know an Andy Hide when I was a wannabe biker and under age
drinker at Whites

Anna

--
~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England
|""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and conservation
/ ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc
|____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359 230642

"Anna Kettle" wrote in message
...


I used to know an Andy Hide when I was a wannabe biker and under age
drinker at Whites

!

Mary

In article 43d54284$0$826$4c56ba96
@master.news.zetnet.net, says...

"Anna Kettle" wrote in message
...


I used to know an Andy Hide when I was a wannabe biker and under age
drinker at Whites

!

Mary




Hi Mary good to see you back here. Is the kitchen in
action then?

Anna


--
~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England
|""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and
conservation
/ ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels,
pargeting etc
|____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359
230642

"Anna Kettle" wrote in message
...
In article 43d54284$0$826$4c56ba96
@master.news.zetnet.net, says...

"Anna Kettle" wrote in message
...


I used to know an Andy Hide when I was a wannabe biker and under age
drinker at Whites

!

Mary




Hi Mary good to see you back here. Is the kitchen in
action then?

Don't ask.

The plumbing is finished and the water is warming in the sun so I'm doing
laundry. One wall is being painted as I type, the grouting has been done.
Only two more doors, the floor and three walls to go. And a dg pane in the
window and the cooker hood re-fitted. I can't do much because the pins are
still in my toes.

It had better see us out, I can't bear this upheaval again - and the rest of
the house is a filthy mess and must be attacked but it won't be as bad as
doing the hub.

Anna


--
~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England
|""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and
conservation
/ ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels,
pargeting etc
|____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359
230642

You will then have a continuous and reliable 1920s wall. However if you
are keen on getting a plumb and perfect surface then you will ignore my
suggestion

The plan was to go for the more modern look so I think it's looking
like hacking the whole lot off and starting again.

I used to know an Andy Hide when I was a wannabe biker and under age
drinker at Whites

Mmm not me I'm afraid!