How to dry plaster? HELP

Newuser0

Hi everyone,

I’m currently getting my whole house plastered after a full rewire and was wondering how it’s best to dry out the plaster.

The house currrntly doesn’t have the central heating working and as you guys may know it’s 4/5 degrees outside in daylight and lower at night.

I’ve read online some people saying to let it cure on its own, others saying dehumidifier, others saying connection heater , so I’m a little all over the place at the moment.

I’m in no rush to move in so not fussed about speeding up the process. I seen a my the top of one of rooms, In a patch, where it looks almost like frosty lol if that makes sense.

Do I just leave windows open over night and let it cure on its own? Will the really low temperatures cause an issue?

All help is much appreciated .

Thanks all!

dunroving

I don't think opening the windows would help, especially at night. The humidity outside is high this time of year.

If you are in no rush, why are you in such a rush?

Newuser0

Haha what I’m trying to ask is, if I need to do anything to help it cure.

I was concerned the weather might affect the plaster, if it doesn’t and I can just leave windows closed im happy to do that. But there’s so much info online I couldn’t get my head around it.

Would it be best to just leave as is? I.e no need for heating etc.

Mistral001

The traditional way is to not paint the walls for at least a year. Otherwise plenty of heat and ventilation. Or heat and a dehumidifier (with no ventilation).

Newuser0

A year? Lol I thought it’s usually a month or two?

So you would advise to put the heating on?

tacpot12

Plaster usually takes a couple of months to dry out, but it can take longer if the conditions are not conducive. Really low temperatures will cause an issue. You need to keep the temperature above 10 degrees C.

I think the suggestion of heaters and dehumidifiers is the best option in the short term.

Owain_Moneysaver

Heating, but air movement is also important. Plaster should dry as slowly as necessary.

I'd suggest a couple of big fan heaters eg

https://www.hss.com/hire/p/retail-fan-heater-2-8kw
https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/pel00571/industrial-heater-3kw/dp/HG00930

and set the thermostats to about 10-12 deg C.

A couple of dehumidifiers will also help, but don't dehumidify too intensively as the plaster will crack or have a poor finish.

Newuser0

Thanks everyone, I’ll get the heaters put back on and leave the temperature really low but at same time leave the windows slightly open. Hopefully that should help

ka7e

I've been using gentle heat from a fan heater plus industrial dehumidifier (courtesy of my builder). Keep windows closed if using a dehumidifier. I've kept rooms at 16/17 degrees because we would be chilly living here if it was lower. My weather app says external humidity is 80-85%, so not much chance of plaster drying without some help!

FreeBear

Mistral001 wrote: »

The traditional way is to not paint the walls for at least a year. Otherwise plenty of heat and ventilation. Or heat and a dehumidifier (with no ventilation).

A year or more used to be the case with lime plaster. Modern gypsum plaster cures in a matter of days. If the OP can keep the rooms above the dew point (usually around 14°C) the walls should dry out fairly quickly. The rooms certainly need to be above freezing (British Gypsum recommend a minimum of 2-5°C).

OP - Well worth using fibres in your plaster. I've used the 2.2mm fibres from TDP and haven't had any problems with cracking. Some plasterers are reluctant to use them, so if you do go down that road, remind them just who is paying the bill.

Newuser0

They’re using British gypsum multi finish I’m guessing it’s called.

And the guy I’m using used the fibre glass mesh which he has done throughout my whole house, apart from ceilings which I had all over boarded.

I’m guessing the fibre you’re referring to is the fibre mesh?

I’ll have to get my central heating back on and get some heating in there then. I’ll just leave it on very low with the windows slightly open for ventilation.

That seems to be the consensus here