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If you find that the plaster isn’t breaking as expected, you may need to apply slightly more force. Try to avoid pulling the plaster away from the wall instead, let it break and fall naturally to prevent larger, uncontrolled chunks from falling.Īdjusting the Force: The amount of force needed will depend on the plaster’s thickness and age. Some chunks of plaster may be quite heavy, so be ready to support them as they break free. Proceeding with Caution: It’s important to be cautious during this process. The size of these chunks will largely depend on the scoring grid you’ve created. This is where scoring the plaster really demonstrates its value as it helps control where and how the plaster breaks, making it a safer and cleaner process. Plaster Breaking Away in Chunks: The plaster should start breaking away in chunks, particularly if the wall is old as the bond between the plaster and the lath (wooden slats behind the plaster) may have weakened over time. The idea is to systematically remove the plaster square by square, reducing the risk of uncontrolled breaks and falls of plaster. Apply the chisel to the scored lines and tap the end gently with your hammer, trying to guide the cracks along these lines.
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Working Along the Scored Lines: Continue to work along these lines, using your chisel and hammer to chip away at the plaster. It may feel a bit slow at the start, but as more plaster is removed, you’ll gain access to larger portions of the wall which will speed up the process. This is a good sign that the plaster is starting to break up. Initial Breaks: As you gently tap the chisel with the hammer, you’ll begin to see cracks appearing in the plaster, mostly along the scored lines. The process of breaking up the plaster is a gradual one and patience is key to ensure the work is done effectively and safely. The goal is to use enough force to break the plaster along the scored lines, but not so much that you damage the underlying lath too severely or risk punching through the wall into wiring or plumbing. With your other hand, tap the end of the chisel lightly with the hammer. Hold the chisel at a slight angle to the wall, placing its edge on one of the scored lines.
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By starting at the top, you ensure that the wall stays stable for longer, and the plaster falls safely onto the already cleared area. This is mainly for safety reasons as removing plaster from the bottom first could destabilise the sections above, causing larger, heavier pieces to fall. It’s recommended to start at the top of the wall and work your way down. If you’re scoring a high area, use a ladder and make sure it’s stable before you climb up. Utility knives are extremely sharp and can cause serious injury if they slip. It’s usually safe to score about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, but this may vary depending on the thickness of your plaster.Īlways keep your hands clear of the path of the blade. A shallow cut may only score the surface and not provide the desired control lines for breaking the plaster. The goal is to cut deep enough into the plaster so that it will break easily, but not so deep that you risk cutting into pipes or electrical wires behind the wall. This size is ideal because it results in chunks of plaster that are easy to manage during removal. Each square in the grid should be about a foot wide. You’re looking to make a series of vertical and horizontal cuts in the plaster to create a grid pattern. Hold the knife at an angle and apply even pressure as you drag it across the plaster to score it. You can typically find suitable utility knives at your local hardware store. A dull blade won’t be as effective and can actually make the task more difficult. The blade should be sharp and long enough to score through the depth of the plaster. By scoring the plaster into squares, it will break along these lines, reducing the risk of large, unmanageable pieces falling at once and making the process safer and cleaner. The purpose of scoring the plaster is to create control lines or breaks in the plaster, which will help when you begin to chisel it off.
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Consider wearing a long-sleeved shirt and long pants to protect your skin from sharp debris. Wear personal protective equipment, including safety goggles, a dust mask, and work gloves. Make sure to tape off doors and air vents to prevent dust from spreading to other parts of your house. You should also cover your floors with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting to catch the debris. If there are items that can’t be removed, cover them with plastic sheeting. Move as much furniture out of the room as possible. Here’s a step-by-step process on how to do it: Prepare the Room Removing plaster from a wall is a messy job and requires caution as it may involve potential hazards such as dust and sharp objects. At no cost to you, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.