A plasterer is a man who plays a very important role in the finishing of the construction of a building. He is the one who is trained in putting the plaster on the walls before the painters start their job. The process of plasterwork is not a new process. It was in the early 1800s when the process of plasterwork commenced. The artistic work of a Plasterer even was found in the Pyramids of Egypt.
Tools and Materials for Plastering
The process of plastering includes making a surface smooth by applying an adequate plaster on it. The smoothening of a surface needs proper training and artistic work, therefore, it is done by a well-trained Plasterer. There are three types of materials available for plastering depending upon the needs and requirements.
The various types of tools used for Plastering are:
Trowel
The plastering trowels are used for smoothing the surface before painting it. While using the tool, the plasterer should know the correct amount of plaster to apply on the surface. The amount of plaster will vary with the type of surface like a flat surface, or on the wall or floor.
Snip
A snip is used by a plasterer when the plastering is done on a curved or straight or rolled steel cutting or low carbon-cutting. A snip’s handle is designed a way that it gives a non-slip grip feature to the workers.
Plastering Brush
The utilization of a Plastering brush is to either spread or remove water from plastered surfaces. This brush is different from the normal brushes, as it can retain water and can spread water evenly too. It comes in varied size, width, and sizes. Plasterers have such brushes and they can apply the same in the right way.
Plastering Spatula
The plastering on a wall or floor needs a flexible tool and this plastering spatula solves that problem. They make the plastering very efficient, convenient and perfect because of its lightweight and flexibility.
Hand or Hawker Boards
The hand or hawker board is an integral tool for plastering. A plasterer uses this tool to hold mortar, plaster, and similar products. They are designed in such a way that it prevents the plaster to fall or slip on the floor.
What are the materials used for Plastering?
Lime-Based Plaster
A mixture of sand and lime in a ratio of 1:3 is used for the plastering and this ratio can differ according to the nature of the surface that you have. The lime plaster is used for the base coat and final coat. When used as a base-coat or under-coat this plaster gets mixed with another layer of multi-finish plaster to create a perfectly smooth surface for paint.
Gypsum Plaster
Gypsum Plaster is the most commonly used plasters by builders. This plaster is also used as base-coat and finish-coat. Manufacturers of plasters use gypsums in various products like Thistle board finish. Gypsum Plasters are apt for both interior and exterior plastering. It is mostly used for covering of drywalls or plasterboard for walls and ceilings interior.
Cement Plaster
Cement is a common product used in construction projects. In the process of painting, it is generally used as an undercoat for creating a hard background surface over the bricks. This plaster is applied either manually or as spray-finish plaster using plastering machines.
These are the tools and materials a Plasterer uses for the various forms of plastering work. The work of plasterer may sound simple but, needs a lot of perfection and training for the smooth finishing of the work.