There are certain things you need to do before you start plastering – you can’t just pick up a trowel and start skimming. The biggest thing is to make sure you PVA before plastering. Failing to do this could result in a total disaster!
We’re going to show you exactly what to do and how to do it. This article will explain why you need PVA, how to use it and direct instructions on how to mix and seal it to the walls. It’s a game-changer!
What is PVA
PVA, (Polyvinyl Acetate) is basically glue and adhesive. Joiners/ Carpenters and all DIY fanatics use it for many purposes with many companies making strong strains of the stuff. However, Plasterers use it for different reasons.
The other main function of PVA is that it’s used as a primer. We seal all the walls with PVA (not needed on plasterboard), to make sure we can get a decent finish. It helps bond the plaster to the walls and also gives us time.
What does that mean?
Every wall has its own level of suction. Bricks have a high suction rate whereas plasterboard has a very low rate of suction (which is why PVA isn’t needed on boards). When you spread plaster onto brickwork, the material drains all the liquids from the mix resulting in the plaster setting extremely fast and in worst cases, cracking.
The plaster can even fall from the walls without correct preparation! PVA seals the background and acts as a retardant towards the rate of suction. This stops the mix from setting at a faster rate giving us plenty of time to get that perfect finish. So what do we need:
PVA before plastering
You want to get yourself some decent PVA. We recommend the Unibond products – their mix is thick and acts as a great sealer for plaster. Some companies PVA’s are weak, thin and very poor in quality so get a decent one.
We need to mix the PVA with water because it’s far too thick to apply as a stand-alone material. The general mix for PVA is 3 parts water to 1 part PVA (3:1). However, I have used 2:1 before for great results but it’s considered quite controversial.
So how do we mix PVA?
How to mix PVA for plastering
We essentially want to apply 2 coats of PVA at a 3:1 ratio to our walls. You apply the first coat, wait for it to completely dry and then apply the second coat. The second coat is slightly different.
You want to roll this on just before you start plastering and wait for it to take up. There is a point in it’s dying stages where it starts to go quite sticky. This is when you mix your plaster and start skimming.
The best time to start plastering is when the walls are still quite tacking. This provides a good key and bonds with the plaster at a stronger rate because it dries at the same time.
I tend to just use a paint roller to apply the PVA but you can use a brush if you want. It’s totally up to you. That’s literally it, your walls are ready for plaster. Now the question I want to ask is this:
Are you ready to start plastering?
If your learning how to plaster for the first time then you might be reading this to get some information together for when you finally start plastering for yourself. If you’re looking for some help then the fastest way to learn is by seeing.
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So there you go. Everything you need to know about PVA before plastering. All you need to do now is start skimming. For more advice on preparation read this article on preparing walls for plastering.
Hope you found this article useful. Feel free to leave any comments and thanks for getting involved.