Partly rewiring an older property - what plaster to use to patch up internal walls?

[Sabee]

Hello!

I was wondering if anyone has any information/product suggestions.

We are looking to carry out a part rewire of our Edwardian home. I understand that rewiring will result in some holes etc that need to be patched up.

I was unsure how much work/redecoration usually is required after this kind of work, and whether we can get a normal plasterer in to patch up using normal products, or whether we should look into lime plaster (or similar) products.

Any pointers would be much appreciated!

Normal plaster should be fine for patching especially if it is upstairs, you only need to be cautious if patching bits which are near ground level and you are concerned might bridge the bit between the ground and above ground level

Ok, I understand - Thanks!

I tried looking into this, and i saw a few in between products mentioned (tarmac's limelite? a couple of others too) but I wasn't sure if it would be worth exploring - dont really want explore this option if there is not need - and if such a specialist person would be needed (£££)

We are in the process of doing this in a 30s house. Your options are to use a plasterer or do it yourself. We went for the latter.

Basically, you can buy mortar, plaster repair stuff (ready mixed) and plaster skim. You brush the holes with a mix of PVA glue and water, and fill the deeper holes with mortar, leaving about an inch to the surface. Then the shallower holes/remainder with plaster filled. Obviously you leave it to dry between each stage. Then finish off with plaster skim and, once dry, smooth down. We've just used bog standard stuff from Wickes.

Based on our experience, you will have channels in the walls to fill, and also holes where the plug sockets have been resited - they have to be higher off the ground these days to meet regulations. So it will look fairly awful but is totally repairable.

Thank you!

I will look into doing it ourselves. The walls have a lot of lining paper on them, so to be honest, I am not sure how we will be going about making good!

Be careful about mixing and matching plaster- modern plaster is more brittle than lime plaster so can end up cracking and you might be able to see the joints. You might get away with it if you use lining paper before you repaint.

I think you need to strip the paper off before you repair the damage then....(again, easy enough to do). Then you can either repair the walls and paint, or put fresh lining paper on. We went for the former and have put down some special base coat paint prior to starting with the emulsion.

By the way, part M regs... plug sockets height (min 450mm) , switch heights etc... don’t apply to rewires or extensions that predate the regs. You can put them where you like...

(Apply to properties that predate the amended regs)

Thank you for all your comments