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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to delay loft plastering because of the heatwave?

15 replies

Eastie77Returns · 21/06/2026 17:41

Currently in the middle of a loft conversion. All going well and work has progressed smoothly. The loft is now ready for the plasterers who are due to start next week. They came last week to drop some bits off and one of the guys commented that he was not sure how it would work out with the weather situation. I didn’t know what he meant until my neighbour (painter and decorator) explained that plastering walls in high temperatures, especially in the loft that gets direct sunlight, will be a disaster as the plaster will crack.

The problem is the loft project manager who is insisting it will be fine. She has been a bit forceful about a couple of other issues that we have had to get her to back down on and tbh she is not the easiest to work with. She is insistent that delaying plastering will have a serious knock on effect on the trades booked for the following weeks as we still have the tiling, bathroom fitting, 2nd fix electrics and carpenters to come and they cannot start until the plastering is done. She said they are working to tight deadlines as they have to move on to other loft projects!

I’m paying a substantial amount of money and I’m not risking a plastering bodge job just to keep to a schedule. WIBU to tell the plasterers that they will have to come back once the weather has cooled if they turn up tomorrow?

OP posts:
MotherofPufflings · 21/06/2026 17:46

I'd be concerned - we had some plastering done during theast heat wave and though it didn't crack, it's not the best work because it went off too quickly. The builders have already said that they will fix it before they finish and we will be holding them to that.

I think it's difficult for you to stop them because of the weather but I wouldn't pay unless any defects are put right.

Darragon · 21/06/2026 17:55

If it’s a full plaster job (rather than a skim), the plaster will crack anyway, as it dries. It will just take longer in cooler weather. The plaster still needs to dry. It just depends if you want it to happen while they can make good or after they leave. Some of ours cracked immediately and was fixed straight away, but some didn’t crack for 12 months by which point we couldn’t reasonably ring the plasterer and ask him to fix it.

toomuchfaff · 21/06/2026 18:08

Is the "loft project manager" a plasterer? No? She is concerned about deadlines not quality, she isnt qualified to state the ramifications of plastering in the heat, the plasterers have given you that advice.

Do with it what you will but id be telling her the work is being delayed.

HappiestSleeping · 21/06/2026 18:10

I would just point out that if it cracks, they will be rectifying at their expense, so if they want to delay, that's fine by you.

AbsoluteHoot · 21/06/2026 18:11

I’ve got experience in construction management. If it’s very hot up there, I’d be wary of plastering.

Loulou4022 · 21/06/2026 18:14

I’d be lead by what the plasterers say they should know more then the project manager

grumpygrape · 21/06/2026 18:17

Darragon · 21/06/2026 17:55

If it’s a full plaster job (rather than a skim), the plaster will crack anyway, as it dries. It will just take longer in cooler weather. The plaster still needs to dry. It just depends if you want it to happen while they can make good or after they leave. Some of ours cracked immediately and was fixed straight away, but some didn’t crack for 12 months by which point we couldn’t reasonably ring the plasterer and ask him to fix it.

Who told you plaster would crack? We've had full plastering jobs done with no cracks, not in very hot weather though.

Larrythecatforpm · 21/06/2026 18:24

We had plastering done in hot weather (40oC!) and its fine? I would be mindful as they are right they have deadlines.

AbsoluteHoot · 21/06/2026 18:25

Plaster will crack if it dries too quickly.

Eastie77Returns · 21/06/2026 20:11

AbsoluteHoot · 21/06/2026 18:11

I’ve got experience in construction management. If it’s very hot up there, I’d be wary of plastering.

Thanks. It is absolutely boiling up there. No air-con either so I’m also worried about the welfare of the plasterers! The plasterer
who dropped off the materials was shaking his head when he stood in the loft. It is meant to hit 35-36 degrees where we are next week.

OP posts:
Eastie77Returns · 21/06/2026 20:19

Larrythecatforpm · 21/06/2026 18:24

We had plastering done in hot weather (40oC!) and its fine? I would be mindful as they are right they have deadlines.

The deadlines are not really my concern though. The schedule with other loft jobs is for the PM to sort out. There were delays at the beginning of the job because of heavy rain which caused the roofing guys to down tools for several days and then the steel didn’t turn up when it should have. That put everything back by 7-10 days. That’s just the way it goes.

I think a good PM should have factored in delays due to weather etc and have a buffer in place for the trades starting other jobs.

OP posts:
katmarie · 21/06/2026 20:20

I would absolutely be led by the plasterers on this. Ultimately while you have a project manager you are the client and what you say should be the final word. For reasons of safety, as well as to ensure a high quality finish, delaying by a few days might be the best option. If the plasterers believe that’s the case, put your foot down with the project manager and tell her it’s your decision, not hers.

catslovehairties · 21/06/2026 20:21

It will crack if it dries too quickly (DH is a plasterer). If it's too hot, let them reschedule.

Eastie77Returns · 22/06/2026 16:14

Plasterers worked today and said they will be in tomorrow morning until midday. They said they are categorically not working Wednesday and Thursday and had to "explain a few things to the PM" as she was pushing them to finish this week and start a new job on Monday. Lol.

She is the company owner's wife and I get the impression Project Management is not actually her strong suit...

OP posts:
grumpygrape · 22/06/2026 17:54

"explain a few things to the PM"

Love it. Hope all goes well with no cracks 😊

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