Skimming
The Plasterers Sheffield team are all skilled in the technique of skimming. It's widely agreed that a good skim is one of trickiest plastering skills to master. It's the difference between a perfectly smooth wall, or a mess that looks worse than the damage it's supposed to fix. We think the best option is to choose us to do your job so you know you're getting a flawless quality finish! A Handy Guide to Skimming A skim is the thin layer of plaster that is applied over an already-plastered wall or ceiling to form a flat surface that is even and smooth to the touch. It has a very fine texture and is usually applied either as the top finishing coat over new plaster, or as a fresh surface on old plaster to smooth over damages and cracks. It is important that the plaster underneath is essentially sound and has been well prepared to form a good base for the new finish. A good skim coat will make old damaged plaster look like new again. A skim layer is roughly around 2mm thick, which is usually enough to cover the majority of scratches and dents caused by everyday wear and tear. It also provides the ideal flat surface required for painting and wallpapering. To ensure that a skim layer looks perfect, the surface underneath must be properly prepared beforehand. It is possible to apply a skim coat to a painted wall if necessary, but this is only recommended if the paint is sound and not loose or peeling. Ideally, the wall will need to be sanded down first to provide a good key for the skim. The surface area of the wall to be skimmed has to be closely examined before work starts, and any significant imperfections or faults will need to be filled and sanded smooth. Areas of plaster that are loose or crumbling must be either fixed or removed completely. It is also useful to ensure that the existing plaster is properly affixed to the underlying structure so the extra weight of a new layer does not cause further damage. If necessary, a layer of PVA can be applied to the surface using a roller prior to skimming to help the new plaster adhere to the original layer. Once the preparation is correct and in place, the resulting skim should look perfectly even and smooth. If it has been done incorrectly, it could end up looking even worse than before work began. It is therefore of vital importance to get expert advice on whether skimming is suitable for your walls, or whether a complete re-plaster would be a better option. At Plasterers Sheffield we know that people will often try skimming their walls or ceilings themselves in an effort to save time and money, but unfortunately they quickly discover that the finished result has been ruined by inadequate plasterwork underneath. Sadly, the only remedy in these instances is removal of all the damaged plaster and starting afresh. But don't worry, if this has happened to you then let the experts put it right. Call Plasterers Sheffield for a sympathetic ear. You'll get a professional job at a great price! A properly applied skim layer by an experienced and diligent plasterer can can make an old shabby wall look as good as new. Your home can be transformed to look fresh and modern, and at far less cost than a full re-plastering. This is especially important if you are planning on painting your walls and ceilings as any imperfections will be glaringly visible. Plasterers Sheffield are proud of our great team of skilled skimming professionals with years of hard-earned experience and knowledge between them. Most walls in your home will probably only require a skim rather than a full re-plaster, and we will always provide you with an honest and true assessment of what can be done and how much it will cost. Give us a ring on the number above or contact us through our form and let's discuss your plastering project. We can provide you with a free no-obligation quote and we will always try to match or beat any previous quotes you may have. Don't risk attempting a home repair that may look worse than the damage you tried to fix! Get the Plasterers Sheffield team in, and be proud of your smooth, even walls and ceilings. |
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