A tall-ceilinged parlor in an older brick home where a cracked section of lath-and-plaster wall is being skimmed smooth with fresh plaster, a hawk and trowel in the restorer's hands, ornate crown molding above

Plaster repair

Old lath-and-plaster walls stabilized, patched and skimmed to match.

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What this covers

Plaster repair keeps the walls in an older home rather than tearing them out. The plasterer first finds out why the plaster failed: lost keys behind the lath, movement, or water. Loose but sound plaster is reattached to the lath with adhesive and washers. Failed sections are cut out to the lath, patched with a base coat and a finish coat, and skimmed so the new surface meets the old without a line. Hairline cracks are widened, filled and bridged with mesh so they do not reopen. Careful work preserves the slight hand-finished character of the room and keeps original trim and cornices in place.

When to call

  • Cracks spreading across a wall or ceiling, especially near corners or openings.
  • Plaster that sounds hollow or moves when pressed.
  • Bulging or sagging ceiling plaster.
  • Water-damaged plaster that has crumbled or stained below a leak.

What to expect

  1. AssessThe plasterer taps and presses the wall to map loose areas and find the cause.
  2. StabilizeLoose plaster is reattached to the lath and failed sections cut out.
  3. PatchBase and finish coats are applied and worked flush with the surrounding wall.
  4. Skim and finishThe repair is skimmed, sanded lightly and left ready for primer.

Get a certified company

Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.

Find a certified company

Text 844-7-RESTORECall 844-7-RESTORE

Questions people ask

Is plaster worth repairing instead of replacing with drywall?

Often, yes. Sound plaster is harder and quieter than drywall and keeps the original trim in place. Replacement makes sense when most of a wall has lost its keys or been soaked.

What does it mean when plaster has lost its keys?

Wet plaster was pushed through the gaps in the lath and hardened into hooks, or keys, that hold it on. When they break, the plaster is held only by its neighbors and begins to sag.

Can the texture of an old wall be matched?

A skilled plasterer matches a smooth or lightly textured finish by hand. The company shows a sample area before finishing the whole repair.

Related: Drywall repair · Drywall installation · Drywall texture and skim coating · All drywall and plaster

This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.