property care
Plaster Repair & Surface Preparation
Restoring the foundation for a flawless painted finish
From £350 per room
Depends on the extent of damage, plaster type, and whether lime or gypsum materials are required. Full re-skimming of a large reception room may be higher.
Typical Duration
2-5 days depending on scope and drying requirements
Free Consultation
No-obligation quote and colour advice
Sound plaster is the foundation of every exceptional paint finish. Our plaster repair service addresses cracks, blown patches, damaged cornicing, and deteriorating lime plaster in period and modern London properties alike. We work with specialist plasters matched to your property's construction, ensuring repairs are invisible once decorated and that surfaces are perfectly prepared for the coats to follow.
About Our Plaster Repair Service
No amount of premium paint can disguise poor plasterwork. Cracks telegraph through emulsion within weeks, blown areas bubble and flake, and uneven surfaces catch light in unflattering ways that undermine an otherwise beautiful room. In London's older properties — Georgian townhouses with original lime plaster, Victorian terraces with lath-and-plaster ceilings, Edwardian mansion blocks with ornate ceiling roses — the condition of the plaster determines the quality of the final decoration. At Belgravia Painters, we treat plaster repair not as a secondary trade but as an integral part of our decorating service. Our plasterers work alongside our painters as a single coordinated team, ensuring that every repair is executed with the end finish in mind. From hairline settlement cracks to full wall re-skimming, we restore surfaces to a standard that accepts paint beautifully and endures for decades.
What We Deliver
- Assessment of all plaster surfaces for cracks, blown areas, and moisture damage
- Lime plaster repairs using traditional hydraulic lime matched to the original mix
- Modern gypsum skim coating for smooth, paint-ready surfaces
- Lath-and-plaster ceiling stabilisation and patch repair
- Crack stitching and reinforcement using appropriate mesh systems
- Damp-related plaster removal and replacement with breathable materials
- Filling and sanding of minor imperfections to a seamless finish
- Plaster drying management to ensure surfaces are ready for decoration
- Dust extraction throughout the process to minimise disruption
Our Approach
Every plaster repair begins with a thorough diagnostic. We tap and inspect all surfaces to identify hollow areas, check for active damp, and assess whether the existing plaster is lime-based or gypsum. This distinction is critical: applying modern gypsum over old lime plaster traps moisture and causes both materials to fail. For period properties, we use hydraulic lime plaster that breathes with the building fabric, applied in multiple thin coats as tradition demands. For modern properties, we use British Gypsum multi-finish and Thistle bonding coats for a hard, smooth surface. All repairs are feathered into surrounding areas so that junctions are invisible once painted. We allow proper drying times between coats — never rushing the process to meet an arbitrary deadline — because plaster that is painted too soon will always cause problems.
Materials & Brands
We use NHL 3.5 and NHL 5 hydraulic lime from Singleton Birch and Ty-Mawr for period properties. Modern repairs are carried out with British Gypsum Thistle Multi-Finish, Bonding Coat, and Hardwall plaster. For fine surface preparation, we use Toupret and Gyproc ready-mixed fillers. Fibrous mesh tape from Saint-Gobain reinforces crack repairs, and Unibond PVA ensures proper adhesion where required.
Property Considerations
Georgian and Regency properties in Mayfair and St James's often have original lime plaster that has survived two centuries — our role is to repair sensitively, not to replace wholesale. Listed buildings may require specific consent for plaster repairs, and we prepare method statements for conservation officers when needed. In mansion blocks, we coordinate access with managing agents and work within the noise and access restrictions that communal buildings require. New-build properties occasionally require remedial plastering where developer finishes fall short of the standard expected by our clients.
Why Choose Our Plaster Repair Service
Material Matching
We identify whether your walls are lime or gypsum plaster and use compatible materials that work with the existing building fabric.
Invisible Repairs
Every repair is feathered and finished so that once painted, the repaired area is completely undetectable.
Integrated Service
Plaster repair and painting are carried out by our coordinated team, eliminating gaps between trades and ensuring continuity of finish.
Our Plaster Repair Process
Surface Diagnosis
We inspect all plaster surfaces, identify defects, check for damp, and determine the plaster type.
Method Selection
The appropriate repair method and materials are selected based on the building fabric and the intended finish.
Preparation
Defective plaster is removed, surfaces are keyed, and any damp issues are addressed before new material is applied.
Plaster Application
Repairs are applied in controlled coats, feathered into surrounding areas for a seamless transition.
Drying & Inspection
Adequate drying time is observed and the surface is inspected under raking light to confirm it is paint-ready.
Brands We Use for Plaster Repair
Available Across London
We offer plaster repair & surface preparation across all 20 of our service areas in prime London.
View All AreasRelated Services
Interior Painting
Flawless interiors that elevate every room in your home
Learn moreCeiling Painting & Restoration
Expert ceiling decoration from simple refreshes to ornate restorations
Learn moreHeritage & Period Painting
Sympathetic decoration that honours your property's history
Learn moreCoving & Cornice Installation
Period-correct cornicing that crowns your rooms with distinction
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions
We repair cracks, blown plaster, holes, water damage, impact damage and failing skim coats on both modern gypsum and traditional lime plaster. Small patches are filled and feathered; larger areas are re-skimmed to a smooth, paintable finish.
Yes. We use traditional lime-putty plaster and horsehair reinforcement to match existing finishes in Georgian and Victorian properties. Lime plaster must be repaired with like-for-like materials to maintain breathability and prevent damp.
Gypsum plaster typically dries within one to two weeks; lime plaster can take three to six weeks depending on thickness and ventilation. We monitor moisture levels and will not paint until the plaster reads below five per cent on a moisture meter.
We match both the material composition and surface texture of surrounding plaster. Whether the existing finish is smooth skim, stippled, lightly textured or lime-washed, we blend the repair seamlessly so it is invisible once painted.
Minor crack filling and surface preparation are included in all our painting quotes. Larger repairs involving re-skimming, structural crack stabilisation or lime plastering are quoted as a separate line item so costs are transparent.
Common causes include building settlement, thermal movement, moisture ingress, vibration from traffic or construction, and age-related degradation of the plaster bond. Identifying the root cause is important to ensure the repair lasts long-term.
Ready for Expert Plaster Repair?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from our specialist team. We respond within 24 hours.