As the nights draw in, I get asked whether it is still a good time to have plastering done. The short answer is yes, for most indoor work. Winter is a perfectly good time to get rooms skimmed, ceilings sorted or a wall taken back to brick. The cold does change a few things, though, mainly how long work takes to dry and what can be done outside.
Indoor plastering in winter
Inside a heated house, the conditions for plastering are usually fine all year round. The main difference in winter is drying time. Cold air holds less moisture, rooms are closed up, and outside walls are colder, so new plaster can take longer to lose its water.
Minimum temperatures
Plaster manufacturers set limits on this. British Gypsum's guidance for its Thistle plasters is that they should only be applied where the background will stay at 2°C or above until the plaster is dry, and that gypsum products are not suitable for frozen backgrounds. It also says to allow longer drying and setting times in the cold. A lived-in, heated home is normally well above that, but an empty property, a garage conversion or an unheated extension can drop lower than you would think overnight.
Helping it dry
- Keep the heating on low and steady rather than switching it off overnight.
- Give the room some ventilation. A window open a little lets the moist air out.
- Leave internal doors open so air can move through the house.
- Avoid drying washing in the same room while the plaster is drying.
Patience matters more in winter. Give the walls time to go an even pale colour before decorating. I explain what to look for in how long new plaster takes before you can paint it.
Empty and unheated properties
If you are renovating a house you have not moved into yet, it is worth getting some heat into it before the plasterer arrives and keeping it on while the work dries. The same goes for extensions and loft rooms that are not yet connected to the heating. Cold, damp air in an empty house slows everything down.
Back to brick work in the colder months
A wall taken back to brick and built back up holds a lot more water than a thin skim, so it is the job most affected by winter drying times. It is still fine to do, but plan a bit more time before you decorate. If you are deciding between that and a simple skim, I have written about how to tell whether a wall needs a re-skim or back to brick.
Rendering in winter
Outside work is a different matter. Rendering depends on the weather in a way indoor plastering does not. Weber, one of the main render manufacturers, says render should not be applied below 5°C, should never go on frosted materials or a frosted wall, and that you should check the forecast for the drying period as well as the day itself. It also points out that even when the air reads 5°C, the wall may have been below freezing a few hours earlier.
In practice that means exterior rendering in West Yorkshire through the depths of winter needs the right days. I will keep an eye on the forecast and move a rendering job rather than risk frost damaging a new coat. Small repairs to cracked render can sometimes be fitted into a mild spell.
Why winter can be a good time for indoor work
If you are planning to redecorate in spring, getting the plastering done over the winter means it has had plenty of time to dry by the time the painting starts. It also gets a disruptive job out of the way before the warmer months.
Frequently asked questions
Will cold weather make my new plaster crack?
Not if the room is kept above freezing and the plaster is allowed to dry steadily. Problems tend to come from frost on an unheated wall or from drying too fast with strong direct heat.
Should I put a dehumidifier in the room?
A dehumidifier can help pull moisture out of the air, especially in a closed-up room. Use it alongside gentle heat and some ventilation rather than blasting the wall.
Book in for the winter
I work across Birstall, Gomersal, Batley, Cleckheaton, Drighlington, Morley and Leeds. See the areas I cover, then ask for a free quote or ring 07590 357963. I can also take care of full room re-skims while the weather keeps you indoors.
