How to plaster the foundation

Your home’s foundation needs to be plastered in order to be protected from moisture and other environmental elements. This procedure gives your foundation a more durable layer in addition to improving its appearance. Plastering correctly can stop damage and cracks, guaranteeing that your foundation will last for many years.

We’ll take you step-by-step through the plastering of a foundation in this guide. We will go over the essentials to ensure a seamless and successful completion, regardless of whether you’re taking on this project alone or just trying to learn more about it. It’s possible to get a weather-resistant, polished finish with the correct methods and supplies.

We’ll break down each step to make the task manageable, from surface preparation to plaster application and proper curing. Learn how to give your foundation the shine and protection it needs by following along.

Step	Details
1. Prepare the Surface	Clean the foundation of any dirt, debris, or loose materials. Repair any cracks or holes with a suitable filler and allow it to dry completely.
2. Apply a Primer	Use a primer suitable for masonry. This helps the plaster adhere better and provides a more even finish.
3. Mix the Plaster	Follow the instructions on the plaster mix. Usually, you need to combine the plaster with water to get the right consistency.
4. Apply the Plaster	Using a trowel, apply a base coat of plaster to the foundation. Spread it evenly and make sure to cover all areas. Allow it to set slightly before applying additional coats.
5. Smooth the Surface	Once the base coat is slightly dry but still damp, use a smoothing tool to level the surface. This helps to remove any trowel marks and gives a smooth finish.
6. Apply Additional Coats	If needed, apply additional coats of plaster, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next one.
7. Final Finish	After the final coat has dried, you can apply a finish coat or paint if desired. Ensure the plaster is fully cured before painting.

Plaster solution

Prior to discussing how to plaster a house’s foundation, it is important to know what materials and composition to use. Here, you must consider that the base is under a great deal of weight. Furthermore, the foundation itself—rather than its finishing—is what causes the building to press down on it when it is standing on it.

The term "load" in this context refers to the harsh effects of the atmosphere, such as precipitation, temperature fluctuations, sunlight, etc. in addition to mechanical hits, which are unavoidable given the structure’s location.

This leads us to the conclusion that the plaster needs to be strong and resistant to moisture and other negative environmental elements. The answer is clear: cement-based compounds should be used to plaster the foundation. The qualities listed apply only to them.

Kindly take note. Silicate and silicone compounds exhibit exceptional properties of strength and protection as well. However, their cost is much higher than that of cement, meaning that finishing will be more expensive.

Ready-made basement plasters

Many pre-made compositions for finishing basements are available from manufacturers of dry building mixes. They contain a variety of additives in addition to sand and cement, such as plasticizing, waterproofing, boosting the plaster’s resistance to frost, etc.

Among the most well-liked are the following that stand out:

• Volma-Sokol. Water- and crack-resistant high-strength plaster based on Portland cement, reinforced with fibers.

• Yunis Silin sokolny. Water-repellent, frost-resistant, resistant to atmospheric precipitation cement mixture.

• Zokelputz Knauf. High-quality base plaster with high adhesive properties. Water-resistant, frost-resistant.

Apart from the primary leveling plasters, one can also apply cement plasters to give the base a decorative appearance. Their structures and colors can vary.

Once the foundation layer has dried completely, decorative compositions are applied.

Homemade base plaster

Preparing a solution and plastering it yourself is the most economical and economical way to complete the foundation. Following the exact ratios of cement to sand and adding water-repellent additives to the mixture will guarantee a long-lasting, high-quality coating.

Suggestions. You can use PVA construction glue as an additive by mixing it with water and kneading it. It increases the adherence of the solution and gives it plasticity. A more contemporary instrument is a synthetic polymer latex pro dispersion, which blends seamlessly with cement.

How to prepare a plaster solution instructions:

• See you through a metal mesh with a small cell with dry career sand to get rid of dirt, plant residues and large fractions;
• Pour it into a tank for mixing or into a concrete mixer;
• Add cement. If it is the M500 brand, then the ratio should be 1: 4 (per 1 part of cement 4 parts of the sand), and if M400, then 1: 3;
• Mix dry ingredients thoroughly so that the mixture acquires a uniform color without stripes and spots of pure cement;

• Before preparing a solution for plastering the foundation, dilute waterproofing additives in clean water;
• Add water, constantly stirring the solution and achieving the desired consistency. Its quantity depends on the type of work: for the first priming layer, the solution should be liquid, and for the main covering layer – plastic, not flowing.

Kindly take note. After completing all foundation cleaning preparatory work, the solution should be ready.

Plastering stages

A house’s foundation should be inspected for cracks, crumbling sections, deformation protrusions, and other flaws before plastering.

Preparatory work

The first step in plaster preparation is clearing the surface of any materials that don’t adhere well. If it’s made of bricks or blocks, for instance, the joints need to be cleared of broken mortar. In the event that there are cracks in the concrete strip, the cracks will widen and deepen until they reach strong areas.

To avoid needing to create an excessively thick leveling layer, you must also remove all protrusions.

Priming the foundation is the last step in the preparation process before plastering it (see Why do you need a primer: technological nuances of finishing works). It is best to buy a specific composition that fits your base for this.

Main works

We can now go into great detail on how to plaster the foundation correctly. Adhering to this technology will enable you to obtain a robust and uniform layer, which can then be used to apply decorative materials such as glue tiles, natural stone, or other facing materials.

• Wet all masonry joints, cracks and potholes with water and seal them with mortar, roughly leveling the surface;
• Fix a reinforcing mesh or Rabitz with small cells on the base. For this, you can use special staples or dowels with a wide head;

• Using a level, draw a straight line along the foundation, stepping back from the most protruding part by 2-4 cm, install long vertical pegs along it;
• Fill the gaps between the pegs and the base with mortar, constantly checking the vertical with a level. Let the resulting bumps dry well – you will get beacons, which will be convenient to align the plaster;

• After removing the pegs, wet the entire surface with water from a spray bottle or spray with a broom, then apply a liquid primer cement mortar to it;
• When the primer sets, you can start leveling: a plastic working solution is thrown onto the foundation with a trowel in a thick layer, which is leveled with a rule along the beacons;

• Since the foundation of the house needs to be plastered so that it looks aesthetically pleasing, the finished surface should be rubbed down. This is done after the plaster has started to set, but while it is still wet. For this, use a wooden float, on which you can install a mesh;
• Immediately after grouting, if desired, you can “embroider” the surface to look like stone or brick by drawing grooves on it.

It will take roughly two weeks for the plaster to completely dry before covering the base with tiles or stone.

Suggestions. Cover with plastic film and keep out of direct sunlight to ensure the coating dries evenly and doesn’t crack.

For your home to be more durable and protected, plastering your foundation is an essential step. You can make sure that your foundation stays sturdy and free of water damage by using the right procedures. A well-applied plaster coat gives your house an extra layer of insulation in addition to increased durability.

Prior to applying plaster, always remember to thoroughly prepare the surface because a stable, clean base promotes better adhesion and a smoother finish. To get the best results, use high-quality materials and adhere to suggested mixing and application procedures.

Plastering your foundation can be a simple task if you pay attention to detail and have a little patience. You can protect your home from the elements and preserve its structural integrity for many years to come by following these steps.

In addition to improving the overall appearance of your home, plastering the foundation is crucial for shielding the base from moisture and damage. To achieve a smooth, long-lasting finish, this procedure entails priming the foundation surface, layering plaster, and then applying another primer. In order to ensure the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your home, proper plastering not only helps to prevent cracks and deterioration but also enhances the insulation and aesthetic appeal of the foundation.

Video on the topic

Plastering the base, layer up to 80 mm#preparing the base for insulation#leveling the foundation

Brick finish/Cheap and cheerful. Finishing the base with cement mortar.

VOLMA-Plinth / Instructions for using high-strength cement plaster

Plastering the base with your own hands

Plastering the base on beacons