How often should you replaster walls?

Good plaster on a dry wall can easily last thirty to forty years without needing replacement. The issue is not age but condition. If you tap the wall and it sounds hollow, that is blown plaster where the bond between the plaster and the masonry has failed. Painting over blown plaster is a waste of money because it will crack and flake again within months. At that point you need to hack it off and replaster. Our plastering cost guide covers pricing per square metre for different finishes.

Damp is the main reason I get called to replaster earlier than expected. Rising damp, penetrating damp from a leaking roof or gutter, and condensation all damage plaster over time. If there are tide marks, salt deposits, or a musty smell, the underlying damp issue must be fixed first. There is no point replastering a wall that is still wet. Once the source of moisture is resolved and the wall has dried out, a fresh two-coat skim will last decades.

In older properties with lime plaster, I see walls that are well over a hundred years old and still in good condition. Lime plaster breathes and flexes with the building. Modern gypsum plaster is harder and more brittle, so it cracks more easily in houses that move seasonally. If you are renovating a period property, consider lime plaster instead of gypsum. It costs more to apply but lasts longer in buildings with solid walls and no damp-proof course.