How to Remove Plaster from a Wall

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Removing plaster from a wall is a messy job and requires caution as it may involve potential hazards such as dust and sharp objects. Here’s a step-by-step process on how to do it:

Prepare the Room

Move as much furniture out of the room as possible. If there are items that can’t be removed, cover them with plastic sheeting. You should also cover your floors with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting to catch the debris. Make sure to tape off doors and air vents to prevent dust from spreading to other parts of your house.

Prepare Yourself

Wear personal protective equipment, including safety goggles, a dust mask, and work gloves. Consider wearing a long-sleeved shirt and long pants to protect your skin from sharp debris.

Score the Plaster

The purpose of scoring the plaster is to create control lines or breaks in the plaster, which will help when you begin to chisel it off. By scoring the plaster into squares, it will break along these lines, reducing the risk of large, unmanageable pieces falling at once and making the process safer and cleaner.

Choosing a Utility Knife

Select a sturdy utility knife. The blade should be sharp and long enough to score through the depth of the plaster. A dull blade won’t be as effective and can actually make the task more difficult. You can typically find suitable utility knives at your local hardware store.

Scoring the Wall

Hold the knife at an angle and apply even pressure as you drag it across the plaster to score it. You’re looking to make a series of vertical and horizontal cuts in the plaster to create a grid pattern. Each square in the grid should be about a foot wide. This size is ideal because it results in chunks of plaster that are easy to manage during removal.

Depth of Scoring

The goal is to cut deep enough into the plaster so that it will break easily, but not so deep that you risk cutting into pipes or electrical wires behind the wall. A shallow cut may only score the surface and not provide the desired control lines for breaking the plaster. It’s usually safe to score about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, but this may vary depending on the thickness of your plaster.

Safety Considerations

Always keep your hands clear of the path of the blade. Utility knives are extremely sharp and can cause serious injury if they slip. If you’re scoring a high area, use a ladder and make sure it’s stable before you climb up.

Removing the Plaster

Starting Point

It’s recommended to start at the top of the wall and work your way down. This is mainly for safety reasons as removing plaster from the bottom first could destabilise the sections above, causing larger, heavier pieces to fall. By starting at the top, you ensure that the wall stays stable for longer, and the plaster falls safely onto the already cleared area.

Using the Tools

Hold the chisel at a slight angle to the wall, placing its edge on one of the scored lines. With your other hand, tap the end of the chisel lightly with the hammer. The goal is to use enough force to break the plaster along the scored lines, but not so much that you damage the underlying lath too severely or risk punching through the wall into wiring or plumbing.

Breaking Up the Plaster

The process of breaking up the plaster is a gradual one and patience is key to ensure the work is done effectively and safely.

Initial Breaks: As you gently tap the chisel with the hammer, you’ll begin to see cracks appearing in the plaster, mostly along the scored lines. This is a good sign that the plaster is starting to break up. It may feel a bit slow at the start, but as more plaster is removed, you’ll gain access to larger portions of the wall which will speed up the process.

Working Along the Scored Lines: Continue to work along these lines, using your chisel and hammer to chip away at the plaster. Apply the chisel to the scored lines and tap the end gently with your hammer, trying to guide the cracks along these lines. The idea is to systematically remove the plaster square by square, reducing the risk of uncontrolled breaks and falls of plaster.

Plaster Breaking Away in Chunks: The plaster should start breaking away in chunks, particularly if the wall is old as the bond between the plaster and the lath (wooden slats behind the plaster) may have weakened over time. This is where scoring the plaster really demonstrates its value as it helps control where and how the plaster breaks, making it a safer and cleaner process. The size of these chunks will largely depend on the scoring grid you’ve created.

Proceeding with Caution: It’s important to be cautious during this process. Some chunks of plaster may be quite heavy, so be ready to support them as they break free. Try to avoid pulling the plaster away from the wall; instead, let it break and fall naturally to prevent larger, uncontrolled chunks from falling.

Adjusting the Force: The amount of force needed will depend on the plaster’s thickness and age. If you find that the plaster isn’t breaking as expected, you may need to apply slightly more force. However, be careful not to hit too hard as you might damage the underlying lath, or worse, any hidden electrical wires or plumbing.

Take regular breaks during the process. Not only is the work physically demanding, but the dust created can make the environment challenging. A dust mask and frequent ventilation of the room are highly recommended.

Dealing with Stubborn Sections

Despite your best efforts, you may encounter areas of the wall where the plaster proves stubborn and does not come off as easily as anticipated. These can be challenging, but here are some strategies to deal with them:

Identify the Stubborn Sections: It’s likely that these sections are either thicker, have a higher concentration of lath (the wooden slats behind the plaster), or the plaster is more firmly attached due to paint layers or wallpaper. They may also be areas where there was previous repair work done with a different material.

Re-Score the Plaster: If the plaster isn’t breaking along the scored lines as expected, you may need to score the plaster again. Deepen the existing scores or make new ones, forming smaller squares. This might help control the breakage and make the removal easier.

Increase the Force: For particularly stubborn sections, you might need to apply more force when hammering the chisel. However, you must do this with caution. Applying too much force might cause uncontrollable breakage, potentially damaging the lath, or worse, the structural integrity of the wall.

Use Different Tools: If increasing the force isn’t working or isn’t an option, you could try using different tools. A pry bar might be useful to get underneath the plaster and apply pressure in a different way.

Check What’s Behind the Wall: If a section is proving particularly difficult, it might be worth investigating what’s behind the plaster. Sometimes, stubborn sections can indicate the presence of pipes or wires. If you’re uncertain, consult a professional before proceeding.

The goal isn’t to rush and get the plaster off as quickly as possible, but to do it in a controlled and safe manner. It’s important to respect the materials and the construction of your home. Always take the time to reassess and plan your next step when dealing with stubborn sections of plaster.

Working Your Way Down the Wall

The systematic approach of working your way down the wall has several benefits, not least of which is safety. Here’s how to go about it:

Starting Point: Start from the top of your scored wall. The reason for this is twofold: firstly, gravity is on your side, making it easier for plaster chunks to fall away from the wall. Secondly, by removing the upper plaster first, you prevent large, heavy chunks of plaster from falling from a height later in the process, which could be dangerous.

Methodical Process: Focus on one grid square at a time. By limiting your focus to these smaller areas, you’re able to better control the plaster removal and ensure you’re thoroughly clearing each section before moving on to the next. This reduces the chance of missing areas, makes the work more manageable, and facilitates a more orderly cleanup process.

Horizontal Then Vertical: Within each square, it may be helpful to remove the plaster in horizontal strips before moving down vertically. This technique often makes it easier to pry off the plaster without pulling off larger chunks than you can handle safely.

Cleaning As You Go: After you finish with each grid square, take a moment to clean up the debris before moving on to the next section. This not only keeps your workspace tidy and safe but also prevents the buildup of dust and debris, which can become overwhelming if left until the end.

Patience and Persistence: The process of removing plaster from a wall is physically demanding and time-consuming. Take regular breaks to rest and reassess your progress. Remember, it’s not a race. The goal is to get the job done safely and effectively, even if it takes a bit longer.

By working systematically, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed by the size of the task. Breaking it down into smaller, more manageable sections makes the task more achievable and provides a clear path forward as you gradually make your way down the wall.

Removing the Lath

After the plaster removal, you will encounter the lath, a series of thin wooden slats used to support the plaster. Here’s how to handle this part of the process:

Identify the Lath

The lath is generally made up of thin, closely spaced wooden strips. These strips are nailed to the studs in the wall. Depending on the age and history of your house, the lath may be in various states of condition, ranging from relatively sturdy to quite brittle.

Start at the Top

Just like with the plaster removal, it’s generally best to start at the top of the wall and work your way down. This will prevent you from pulling lath down onto areas that still have lath attached, which could be hazardous.

Use a Crowbar or Pry Bar

Fit the end of a crowbar or pry bar under the edge of a strip of lath, then apply gentle but firm pressure to lever it away from the wall. Try to aim for the points where the lath is nailed to the wall studs, as these are the areas where it will be most firmly attached.

Be Mindful of Nails

Remember that the lath was nailed to the wall studs, so as you’re removing it, you’re likely to encounter nails. Some of these may be rusty or have sharp, jagged edges. Be mindful of your hands and fingers as you’re prying the lath loose, and use a sturdy pair of gloves to protect your hands.

Watch Out for Sharp Wood

The lath can also be quite sharp, especially if it splinters as you’re removing it. This is another reason why it’s important to wear sturdy gloves during this process.

Clean As You Go

As with the plaster removal, it’s best to clean up as you go when removing the lath. This will keep your workspace tidy and safe, and prevent the accumulation of debris that could become a tripping hazard.

Dealing with lath requires patience and care, as it can be sharp and there are often hidden nails. Working methodically and staying mindful of safety will help ensure a successful project.

No Lath?

If there’s no lath, it means that your wall is likely made from plasterboard (also known as drywall), which is a different kind of wall construction that doesn’t use lath and plaster. In this case, the process of removing the plasterboard would be different.

Here’s a basic outline:

Prepare the Area: Just like with the plaster and lath removal, you’ll want to prepare the area by moving furniture, covering surfaces with dust sheets, and wearing proper safety gear.
Cut into Sections: Instead of scoring the plasterboard, it’s usually easier to cut it into larger sections. Using a utility knife, cut the plasterboard into about 2-foot by 2-foot sections. Be mindful of what’s behind the wall to avoid cutting into any electrical wires or plumbing.
Pry off the Sections: Insert a pry bar into the cuts you’ve made and carefully pry the sections away from the wall studs. Again, be mindful of what’s behind the wall.
Remove Nails or Screws: Once you’ve pried off a section, there may be nails or screws left in the wall studs. These can be removed with a claw hammer or a screwdriver, respectively.
Clean Up: As always, clean up as you go, removing debris and sweeping up dust.
Dispose of the Plasterboard Responsibly: Check with your local waste management facility to see how they prefer you dispose of the plasterboard. Some facilities may require it to be separated from other construction debris.

Clean Up After Plaster and Lath Removal

The clean-up process is an essential step after you’ve finished removing the plaster and lath. Here’s how to proceed:

Dispose of Large Debris: Start by picking up the larger pieces of plaster and lath. These can be quite heavy and sharp, so be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands. Depending on the regulations in your area, you might need to rent a dumpster or schedule a special bulk trash pickup for construction debris.

Sweep Up Smaller Pieces: After you’ve removed the larger pieces, sweep up the smaller pieces of debris. A stiff-bristle broom is particularly effective for this. Be careful to collect any nails or other sharp objects.

Vacuum the Area: Even after sweeping, there’s likely to be a lot of dust and small particles left behind. Use a shop vacuum or a home vacuum cleaner (with a good filter) to vacuum the area thoroughly. You may need to do this several times to fully remove all the dust.

Dust Surfaces: The dust from plaster and lath removal can settle on every surface in the room, including windows, ledges, and any furniture or fixtures that couldn’t be removed. Use a damp cloth to wipe down these surfaces and remove the dust.

Final Inspection: Take a good look around the room for any missed debris or dust. Check especially in corners and hard-to-reach areas. This is also a good time to inspect the bare wall studs for any damage or issues that need to be addressed before proceeding with your renovation.

Dispose of Debris Responsibly: Check with your local council or waste management facility for guidelines on disposing of plaster, lath, and other construction debris. Some materials may be recyclable, while others need to be disposed of in a certain way due to environmental regulations.

Safety should always be your first priority. Always wear appropriate safety gear, including gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask, during both the removal and cleanup process.

Tools Required to Remove Plaster from a Wall

Here’s a list of the tools you’ll need to safely and effectively remove plaster from walls.

Utility/Stanley Knife: To score the plaster. Ensure the blade is sharp and durable.
Cold Chisel: A wide, flat cold chisel is typically best for removing plaster. It allows you to get under the plaster and lever it away from the wall.
Claw Hammer: To use with the cold chisel for breaking up the plaster.
Wrecking Bar or Crowbar: This will be useful for removing the wooden lath underneath the plaster.
Safety Goggles: Essential for protecting your eyes from dust and debris.
Dust Mask: To prevent inhalation of plaster dust, which can be harmful to your lungs.
Work Gloves: To protect your hands from sharp debris and give you a better grip on your tools.
Long-Sleeved Shirt and Long Trousers: These will help protect your skin from sharp debris and dust.
Dust Sheets or Polythene Sheeting: For covering furniture and floors to protect them from dust and debris.
Ladder: If the wall is high, you’ll need a ladder to reach the top.
Adhesive Tape: To secure dust sheets or polythene sheeting in place.
Broom and Dustpan: For cleaning up larger debris.
Vacuum Cleaner: For thorough cleanup of dust and smaller debris.
Rubbish Bags or a Skip: For debris disposal. Make sure to check local regulations on the proper disposal of construction debris.

Whenever you’re doing a home renovation project, it’s important to know what’s behind your walls—like electrical wiring, plumbing, or insulation—before you start cutting or demolishing. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult with a professional.

If you’re not sure about something or if it’s a larger project, it might be best to hire a professional. They can safely remove the plaster and handle any unexpected issues that might arise.