Plastering a cellar, basement, or underground space serves a purpose beyond simply improving the area’s appearance; it also serves to keep these spaces dry and hygienic. In these areas, moisture and cold can easily seep in and cause structural damage as well as mold and mildew. Plastering correctly aids in wall sealing, which keeps the elements out and increases the space’s durability.
Plastering is an important step whether you’re turning a basement into a living space or just want to make improvements. It offers a solid, smooth surface that can be finished or painted to taste. Additionally, it adds a layer of insulation that can improve the space’s comfort and energy efficiency.
Plastering these areas may seem like an easy task, but it requires close attention to detail. The tools and materials employed must be appropriate for the special difficulties found in underground environments. You can turn an unusable, damp, and cold cellar into a dry, clean space in your house with the appropriate method.
Step | Description |
1. Surface Preparation | Clean the walls to remove any dirt, dust, or loose materials. Make sure the surface is dry and free from mold. |
2. Applying Primer | Apply a suitable primer to ensure good adhesion of the plaster to the wall. This helps to seal the surface and prevent moisture problems. |
3. Mixing the Plaster | Mix the plaster according to the manufacturer"s instructions, ensuring it has a smooth, workable consistency. |
4. Applying the First Coat | Spread the plaster evenly over the wall using a trowel. Work from the bottom up, covering the entire surface. |
5. Smoothing and Finishing | After the first coat sets, apply a second coat if needed. Smooth the surface with a trowel for a clean finish. |
- Why does dampness appear on the walls
- Materials for plastering cellars and basements
- Waterproofing plaster
- Remedial plaster
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Why does dampness appear on the walls
In cellars and basements, plaster will eventually crumble off the walls if the walls themselves become damp.
It has long been known why this phenomenon occurs and how to address it:
- Condensation. It occurs due to the difference in temperatures outside and inside, and poor ventilation of the air in the room. The outer wall of underground rooms is always cold due to contact with the ground, and if the air temperature inside is much higher, and there is no exhaust hood or it does not work, moisture will inevitably condense on the walls, which gradually destroys both the plaster layer and the wall materials. Moreover, constant dampness leads to the formation of fungus and mold, harmful to human health. Therefore, storing food in such rooms becomes simply dangerous.
- Moisture penetration through the walls. This happens when the soil outside the cellar is oversaturated with water, and the instructions for installing external waterproofing are violated or completely absent.
As a point of reference. Drainage installation and restoration are the only ways to solve the issue, but they both require a lot of labor. When a building is being constructed, it must be done; afterward, it is frequently impossible to accomplish.
Preservability and moisture management are crucial considerations when plastering a cellar or basement. For your space to be protected from dampness and potential damage, a strong, moisture-resistant finish requires careful application, the right plaster mix, and proper surface preparation. By taking the appropriate steps, you can make your basement a comfortable and useful space in your house.
Materials for plastering cellars and basements
Regular cement plaster [see]. Finishing the walls of underground storage facilities with plaster (gypsum or cement: properties of building mixtures) is possible only if the external waterproofing is completed correctly and the room has a ventilation system.
It can even be used in a basement that is not attached to the house’s foundation and still hold firmly and function as intended. These kinds of storage spaces are common in country homes; they are typically located beneath the kitchen or another room, with a floor hatch providing access to the basement.
Four sturdy walls, none of which are in contact with the foundation, make up the storage itself.
It always maintains normal air humidity with ventilation if its depth is less than that of groundwater. For this reason, the most economical and economical solution in a basement of this kind is regular plaster on a grid.
It is advised to apply specialized plastering or sanitizing (drying) compounds in all other situations.
Waterproofing plaster
Completely waterproof plasters that can sustain the pressure of a five-meter water column are known as waterproofing plasters.
Special water-repellent additives give the material these qualities. It can also be used to finish different types of reservoirs made of stone, concrete, or brick, such as pools and fountains.
The cellar walls need to be prepped before plastering:
- Tear off the old coating, if any, cleaning all peeling areas to the base;
- Sew the seams in the masonry;
- Clean the surface from dust, dirt;
- Remove traces of mold by scraping them off with a metal brush and washing with special solutions;
- Dry the surface cleaned in this way;
Note: The walls may be a little moist, but not drenched. Heat guns and other devices can be used to expedite the process.
- Prime the walls with a strengthening primer with antifungal additives (see. Antifungal primer – purpose and characteristics of the material) to bind the remaining dust and improve their ability to adhere to the plaster. It is important that the primer lies in a continuous layer, without gaps.
The walls are then covered with waterproofing plaster when the primer has had time to dry. It will not shield the walls from damage in the event of groundwater seeping through them, but it will prolong the cellar’s useful life by a number of years.
As was previously said, insulating the walls from the outside is essential to finding a qualitative solution to the issue.
It is up to you to determine which plaster to choose and whether it is worthwhile to carry out such a reconstruction because the cost of such materials can vary greatly depending on their composition, origin, technical qualities, and presence of decorative properties. Digging a new storage room and outfitting it appropriately can sometimes be more profitable.
It is permissible to apply cement-sand plaster with foaming agents on top of the waterproofing layer to prevent mechanical damage. The surface doesn’t condense because of the porous structure.
Suggestions. When building a waterproofing barrier, attempt to use materials that are produced by the same company. It is possible for primers and plasters from different brands to contain incompatible parts.
Remedial plaster
Traditional plaster coatings have a moisture evaporation zone that is on the surface. Even when installed with a reinforcing mesh for basement plastering, the coating eventually swells and falls off the base if it is continuously wet.
Pore volume in remedial plaster can make up half of the material’s total volume due to its large number of pores.
It gains the following qualities as a result of their presence:
- Prevention of the capillary effect: large pores do not allow moisture to rise up through closed capillaries and spread throughout the entire layer of plaster;
- Rapid evaporation of condensate: the absorption area of the plaster due to the pores increases many times in relation to the area of the wall, so evaporation from it occurs many times faster. Moisture does not have time to penetrate deep and reach the base, keeping it dry. Therefore, such plaster is often called drying.
Plastering is completed in the same manner as in the preceding instance.
The following is how the solution is used:
- First, fill all the cracks, joints, masonry joints, potholes and other depressions;
- Then immediately apply the first layer 10-15 mm thick, and after a few hours the second layer. The total thickness of the plaster should be 20-40 mm.
The sanitizing coating doesn’t need to be rubbed or smoothed; if you do, its ability to dry out will be compromised. However, once the layer has fully dried, you can paint, but the paint needs to be vapor-permeable.
When finishing the basement, if you have never done this kind of work before, you will have a great chance to practice plastering walls in a room with low aesthetic standards.
A cellar’s or basement’s plastering can significantly alter its appearance and use. It enhances insulation, helps keep the walls dry, and gives the area a polished, clean appearance.
Even though it might seem simple, it’s crucial to prepare thoroughly and take your time. A lasting finish can be achieved by thoroughly cleaning and sealing the walls before applying plaster. Additionally, durability and moisture resistance will be improved by selecting the proper plaster type for your particular environment.
When finished, a well-plastered cellar or basement increases the value of your house and makes a more livable and comfortable space. It is well worth the investment to get high-quality plastering work, whether for living, working, or storing purposes.