This is what a lath and plaster wall will look like with the plaster and the laths removed. I was expecting to find cinder block, however I am now 60mm deep into the internal wall and all I have hit is plaster and perhaps some insulation? For a sound repair to any crack, you must stop the plaster on each side from moving or shifting, and the substrate material (wood or rock lath) must be solid and secure with no bouncing. You can see that the thin lengths of timber (laths) are nailed across the joists and then plaster is applied to the laths. Then fill the crack with a coat or two of stiffly mixed joint compound to raise and level out the crack. The daub was pushed, usually by hand, into the web of branches forming a weatherproof surface. However, in older houses with plaster walls, the plaster is supported by lath, strips of wood that look like this: While I wouldn’t trust this wood to support super heavy things (like a TV), it’s more than enough for some curtains. Hanging heavy objects on the wall can be tricky, and with all the options available out there, downright confusing. There are many fixings on the market today and yet, as far as we are aware, no fixing is available for a good, solid, reliable fix to lathe and plaster. Lath and plaster was used as a wall finish long before plasterboard took over from the centuries old Wattle and Daub finish. Plaster applied to wood lath is held in place by the “keys” that form when it squishes through the lath. Over time the plaster separates from the lath, creating structural cracks. A Quick Study in the Anatomy of the Plaster & Lath Wall: A very brief summary of the construction of plaster walls & ceilings helps give some background to the situation. Been repairing plaster for 30 Years. Plaster walls have a tendency to crack and crumble if you attempt to hammer a nail directly into the wall. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'diydoctor_org_uk-under_first_paragraph','ezslot_0',661,'0','0']));Don't want to do this job yourself? In this video we mention Chris Cute and Make the First Cut Channel. Push gently on the plaster on each side of a crack to test for movement. This makes the fixing batten invisible. First wet the lath and plaster around the cleaned crack to help the patch adhere (the old, dry materials tend to suck the moisture out of the new plaster before it can fully cure). I was hoping to fix this to an internal wall (on the bathroom side obviously), but I am having a few problems. A section of a lathed wall with plaster removed. For simple repairs in lath and plaster walls see our repairing lath and plaster project. To find the studs you can use a strong magnet, simply scan the wall with the magnet and it will pick up the nail heads that fix the laths to the studs, you then know where the studs are to fix to-. The other side of this lath and plaster wall has been previously renovated or else you would see the laths and the plaster on the inside. When the wall is not finished with plasterboard then you will almost certainly have to fix to a lath and plaster wall. This is a picture of a lath & plaster ceiling. A simple test is on both sides of the crack in … Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals, © DIY Doctor Ltd 2021 All Rights Reserved. A conditioner is sprayed into each hole, followed by an injection of adhesive. Please see our project on fixing to plasterboard for more information. First, you should be sure to clean the surface from any loose plaster. The key is to fix the failed bond between lath and plaster. Understand how they were created so you then know how to achieve a secure fixing that is not going to cause damage. How to find studs behind a lath and plaster wall with a magnet. Even more so if you live in an old house with plaster and lath walls. Mar 21, 2020 - Explore Ginny's board "Plaster walls", followed by 159 people on Pinterest. Plasterboard took a while to catch on and was introduced to the UK in 1917. However, most lath and plaster walls and ceilings in this country are at least 40 years old and often past their “sell by” date.The laths are very flexible allowing the wall to move, the plaster by now, often crumbling behind and in between the laths. First, apply a thin layer of plaster or joint compound and then apply the tape. To prepare for applying the filler, try to undercut the plasterwork at the edges so that there is a good grip available for the new filler. Assuming you're working internally, try these products. Grab your copy now for all the DIY help you need right at your finger tips! We work with the industries best to ensure that we recommend only reliable and trustworthy tradesmen. Force base coat into the lath. Ultimately the decision to repair or replace the lath and plaster, is up to you. Eventually though, old lath & plaster is prone to cracking, sagging or even falling down. Use stucco for exterior walls. Use a stiff mix so that it won’t sag before it sets. Fixing loose or cracked plaster is usually quicker, easier, and cheaper than the alternatives of ripping out the old plaster and hanging new drywall or blueboard. The plaster and laths are usually about 1 inch thick and a batten size of 2 inches by 1 inch PAR or PSE (These are timber merchants abbreviations for Planed All Round and Planed, Square Edge which both mean the timber has been planed to a finish and is not in the rough “Sawn” state) is sufficient for fixing most things.