Plaster repair costs are determined by the size and type of damage. Discover why some fixes you can DIY and why some require a pro’s help.
How to Repair Water-Damaged Wall Plaster
Make your water-damaged plaster look brand new
Get quotes from water and smoke damage repair specialists near you
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Get quotes from water and smoke damage repair specialists near you
No obligation · 100% free
SKILL LEVEL
Simple
COMPLETION TIME
1 hour
COST
$25–$50
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Putty knife
- Stiff Brush
- Paint roller and paintbrush
SUPPLIES
- Oil-based primer
- Joint compound
- Sandpaper
- Cleaning supplies
- Paint
Large amounts of water can quickly soften and loosen your wall plaster, causing water damage to your walls. If a leak damages your ceiling or wall plaster, you will notice bubbling or bulging behind the top-layer paint or wallpaper. However, worry not. You can easily repair water-damaged wall plaster on your own unless the damaged area is too big to tackle independently.
Preparing to Repair Water-Damaged Wall Plaster
Start by evaluating the situation. The most obvious signs of water damage are bubbled paint and wallpaper. You can gauge how big the affected area is just by looking or feeling with your hand. Next, you need to check for mold growth. Sometimes, leaks happen behind the wall, and more damage has been done before visible damage appears on the surface. If you confirm mold growth, hire a mold removal professional immediately. Don’t attempt mold removal yourself, as it can cause severe damage to your health.
Choosing the Right Primer
Plaster is extremely vulnerable to moisture and water damage. Therefore, we recommend you purchase an oil-based primer, which costs $25 to $35 per gallon. Make sure you go with a trusted brand. You can also use an aerosol primer or a good wet wall primer.
Clean the Surface
Photo: luoman / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesClean the affected surface using a damp cloth or a sponge with soap. Sugar soap works the best. This is also a good time to peel off surface paint or wallpaper that is already falling apart under the water damage. Before moving to the next step, you should also lay down some towels to protect your floor.
Remove Affected Plaster
You can remove the damaged plaster once the surface is clean and dry. Usually, you can carve away damaged plaster using a putty knife. For larger areas, you may want to use a prybar. This step can be messy and dusty, so wear a mask to prevent breathing in plaster dust. Be sure to remove all damaged plasters. You will notice the difference as dry, undamaged plaster is much harder.
Clean the Area
Photo: Iuri Gagarin / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesUse a stiff brush to clean dust off the surface you just worked on. You can also use a vacuum to remove any excess. Next, use a wet sponge to wash the surrounding area. Wait until the wall naturally dries before proceeding with the next step.
Prime and Seal
Once the wall is completely dry, apply your primer. Different primers may require different curing times. Most oil-based primers will cure in 30 to 60 minutes but are best left untouched for one to three hours before applying topcoats. You can also apply multiple primer layers for a stronger seal. Just make sure you let each layer cure completely before adding another.
Make the Repair
Photo: Ruslan Sidorov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesApply a few layers of joint compound once the primer fully dries. You can find a decent-sized patching plaster at any hardware store for less than $10. Spackle and drywall compounds are also acceptable options. Spread the compound evenly into thin layers and scrape off any excess with a putty knife. Once a layer is dried, smooth the surface before applying another layer. Repeat this process until the wall plaster is fully repaired.
The repair is complete at this point if you are okay with leaving the wall plaster bare. If you want to repaint the wall, move to the final step.
Reapply Paint
Photo: Jung Getty / Moment / Getty ImagesOnce your final layer of compound is dry and sanded smooth, apply a fresh coat of paint to match your existing wall. You can also add a primer layer to seal off the paint for additional protection.
Common Signs of Household Water Damage
It’s important to catch water damage early. The most common signs that indicate you have a moisture problem are rotting, buckling, or peeling surfaces. Damp or wet areas are also common indicators.
Mistakes to Avoid When Repairing Water-Damaged Wall Plaster
Before you attempt to repair water-damaged wall plaster, keep these common mistakes in mind:
Ignoring the Root Cause: Make sure you understand the underlying reason for the damage and resolve it as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could see further damage and more costly repairs in the future. Note that you might need to hire a water damage restoration pro to help solve the issue. Understand the cost of water damage restoration before you hire someone.
Skipping the Prep: While it may be tempting to dive into repairs without any prep, doing so can compromise its quality and lead to other issues down the road, such as paint bubbling on walls and water damage from mold. Don’t forget to clean the area and remove any dirt, debris, and loose plaster.
Using the Wrong Materials: Understand that plaster and joint compound are not the same. You’ll need to invest in the proper plaster mix as joint compound is designed for drywall and might not stick to the plaster well.
Disregarding Safety: Safety should be top of mind when you repair water-damaged wall plaster. Wear goggles, gloves, and other protective gear. Ensure proper ventilation in your work area as well.
Not Matching the Original Texture: One of the most difficult parts of a wall plaster repair project is finding the ideal match. You may have to use a sponge and experiment a bit to get the best match.
Rushing Drying: Plaster takes time to dry. If you try to speed up the process, you may increase the risk of cracks, discoloration, and other issues. Patience is key when you undertake a plaster repair.
Failing to Call a Pro: In some cases, especially when there is extreme water damage, it’s a good idea to outsource the whole project to a pro. They can answer all your pressing questions, such as how long water damage restoration takes and what to do after water damage.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
You can usually repair water-damaged wall plaster on your own. However, if a large area is damaged by water and you need a full replacement of the damaged wall plaster, hire a drywall specialist to upgrade the old plaster to modern drywall. New drywalls cost $1.50 to $3 per square foot, and $50 to $100 per hour of labor.
Similarly, if the plaster damage is on the ceiling or other places that are hard to reach or too big to work with, hire a water damage restoration professional to do the job right. They will also tell you if mold is present and if you need to find a mold restoration company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water and smoke damage repairs reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.8★ avg. • 2 total reviews
- Eric T.
Corey Carr was great. I had damage from a recent storm and needed to have my mast and other components replaced. The project entailed coordinating with AEP, and Corey helped make a stressful situation a lot less stressful. I really appreciated his dedication to service and the job very well done.
Mr. Electric of Columbus - Dawn G.
This service was great. My air conditioner went out during the heat spell that we had. My husband has health issues and they came out that night and at 9:30pm the air conditioner was fixed and running. We are sooo very thankful, this is the company I will be using from now on and would...
Mr. Mechanical Ohio - Julio V.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The Waterworks - Brent C.
Carpet repair done well. Scheduling was easy. Showed up on time.
BR Flooring Installation - Mike Z.
As usual with ECO, tech Jordan was outstanding, very professional, very knowledgeable, and very thorough with repairs made to tankless water heaters. Very highly recommend ECO!!!
Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians - Austin Y.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLC - Micki B.
Everything from initial contact to completion was absolutely top notch. We contacted the business during off hours to leave a message, and the owner still reached out to feel out the issue within minutes. We were scheduled and repaired within 48 hours. I cannot say enough about the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Donald L.
Ace Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace Services - Angie M.
When we had the winter freeze, I called Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services and within 1 hour I received an e-mail and he sent someone out the next day and he was on time, he was nice and did the job quickly and cleaned up after himself. We had a leak in our kitchen from...
Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services, LLC - Heather M.
On time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio
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