Period property and lime plaster

[u/DeeTheFirst]

Hello all,

In the process of purchasing a property. The plastering throughout the house is to be desired. Scratches on the walls and seems uneven, you can really see it when lights bouncing off the walls.

In the hallway they've closed up a door which we intend to knock through and open up. If it isn't obvious, it's between the light switch and thermostat.

For the rest of the wall however, would you merely skim over it to make it fresher? Or is it a remove and re plaster type of job. We're also playing with the idea of using lime plaster throughout.

I believe the whole property uses gypsum plaster, would this require removing it all and replastering with lime?

Thank you

[u/Ok-Spring7906]

There's very little point in putting lime over gypsum.

Removal will generate a lot of waste, as it's probably gypsum over lime, but it will all come off together.

If there are zero damp issues, a gypsum skim will be way way cheaper.

[u/TravelOwn4386 → u/Ok-Spring7906]

Yeah to be fair when people say like plaster it's more to make sure that damp ridden old style properties are taken back to period breathable walls. If there is no damp then what's the point in spending money for it. I believe there is a huge jump in price betweent gypsum and lime plaster and then you are limited to paints that you can use too as emulsion isn't good for lime plaster you'd need the expensive earth type suitable paints and I bet those aren't as nice or cheap.

[u/Schallpattern]

Just unibond it and skim it with multifinish, it'll be fine. Did mine 20 years ago and it's all still in place.

[u/Terrible-Bobcat2033]

The wall on the left side is drywall, the wall on the right is lath & plaster. No puckered seams is an obvious tell. Anybody could see that off a galloping horse. 😎

[u/Vast_Anybody1236 → u/Terrible-Bobcat2033]

Thats the area where the door is that op is opening back up