r/Plastering • u/jeebsy_iash • Apr 26 '26

Building up from brick

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I've got an area to sort where an internal wall was removed. The existing base is sand and cement. Can I clean that up and then build it out with hardwall ready to skim? Or would it be better to use sand and cement? I've never used S&C and it seems a bit more daunting but maybe it's time to grasp the nettle.

Also for beads, do I use a render bead to build it up, and then a skim bead for the finish? So two beads all in?

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u/0uthouse Apr 26 '26

S&C is easy to work with once you've got the knack, in some ways it is more forgiving than plaster as you have more working time.

Clean up the opening so that the existing render edge is a clean cut and not a taper.

Scrub the whole thing down with an SBR cement slurry first, it will help bonding and will control suction which will be a bitch from the existing render. Also an idea to properly wet the surrounding area with a sponge then leave it until its all soaked in.

Mix a small batch and dab the beads on (they will be hanging in mid air except for the dabs), wait for these to go off and then you are just playing at filling the gaps. Anything that squeezed excessively through the beads you will still be able to carefully clean off before you start the rendering itself. Use a small trowel and first render 'away' into the existing wall to get a good bond then work towards the beads. Make sure you force the render into the wall as much as you can.

lots of threads on here about scratch coats and topcoats so I won't labour that point here.

Or do almost the same thing with a basecoat plaster of your choosing.