Plastering, Skimming & Drylining in Brighton & Hove
Good plastering is what makes a room feel finished. Flat walls, sound ceilings and clean corners are the base everything else is built on, from painting to tiling. In Brighton and Hove homes the common issues are blown plaster on old solid walls, cracked and sagging lath and plaster ceilings, and damp problems hiding behind a fresh-looking surface. A proper finish starts with fixing what is underneath, not just skimming over the problem.
When This Service Is Needed
- Walls are cracked, patchy, uneven or covered in old textured coating.
- Plaster is blown, hollow-sounding or coming away from the wall.
- A ceiling is cracked, sagging or has failing old lath and plaster.
- You are removing chimney breasts, walls or old fireplaces and need making good.
- New stud walls, boarding or a room layout change needs a fresh finish.
- Surfaces need to be flat and sound before painting, tiling or wallpapering.
Brighton & Hove Property Context
A lot of Brighton and Hove housing is Victorian and Edwardian terraces with solid walls and original lath and plaster ceilings. These were built to breathe, so covering them in modern cement or gypsum can trap moisture and lead to blown plaster and damp patches. The coastal weather adds to this, with wind-driven rain and salt-laden air putting more moisture into exposed walls. In flats and leasehold conversions, ceilings and party walls also matter for noise and shared structure, so the plastering approach has to suit the age and type of the property, not just the look the client wants.
Materials & Approach
| Surface | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Period solid walls | Lime plaster or breathable systems where appropriate |
| Modern masonry walls | Backing coat then multi-finish skim |
| Stud and partition walls | Plasterboard, taped joints then skim or tape-and-joint |
| Ceilings | Overboard or replace, then skim |
| Damp or salt-affected walls | Fix the cause first, then use suitable plaster |
How We Approach the Work
- 01Inspect the walls and ceilings and check what is behind the existing finish.
- 02Identify any damp, movement or old repairs that need dealing with first.
- 03Protect floors, fittings and adjoining rooms before any work starts.
- 04Strip back blown, hollow or unsound plaster to a solid background.
- 05Prepare the surface with the right bonding, backing or board for the wall type.
- 06Apply the base coat and rule it flat, or board and tape as required.
- 07Skim, trowel and polish to a smooth, even finish ready for decorating.
- 08Allow proper drying time, then advise on when it is safe to paint.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is skimming straight over blown or damp plaster to make it look right for now. If the background is unsound or the cause of the damp has not been dealt with, the new finish will crack, stain or blow again within a year or two. Plaster is only as good as what it is applied to.
Another mistake is using the wrong material on old solid walls. Sealing a breathable Victorian wall with a hard modern plaster can trap moisture and make damp worse. The finish needs to match the age and construction of the property, not just whatever is quickest to apply.
Building Regulations
Straightforward plastering, skimming and re-boarding does not normally need Building Regulations approval on its own. It becomes relevant when plastering is part of larger work. Removing a load-bearing wall or chimney breast needs structural engineer calculations and Building Regulations sign-off before making good. New drylining as part of a loft conversion, extension or garage conversion has to meet the regulations for insulation, fire protection and, in some rooms, ventilation. Any electrical work behind the plaster, such as chasing in new cables, falls under Part P and should be carried out and certified correctly. In listed buildings or conservation areas, which parts of Brighton and Hove include, there can also be limits on stripping out original lime plaster, so it is worth checking before work starts.
Cost Factors
- The area of wall and ceiling to be covered.
- Whether it is a skim over existing plaster or a full re-plaster.
- Removing old textured coatings such as Artex.
- Condition of the background and how much preparation is needed.
- Working at height or on large or awkward ceilings.
- Period walls needing lime plaster or breathable systems.
- Access, protection and clearing away in occupied rooms.
- Any making good needed after other trades or wall removals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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