Should your Woolwich walls be skimmed or fully replastered? How to tell which you need, what each involves, and why the condition of the old plaster decides it.
A skim is a thin finishing coat of plaster, a few millimetres thick, applied over an existing wall that is sound but tired, cracked on the surface or uneven. A full replaster strips the old plaster back to the brick or block and builds it up again from scratch. If the old plaster is firmly stuck to the wall, a skim is usually enough. If it is loose, crumbling, damp-damaged or sounds hollow when tapped, it needs replastering.
Woolwich has both kinds of wall. The Victorian and Edwardian terraces of Plumstead, Charlton and the streets around the Royal Arsenal often have old lime plaster that has blown in places, especially near chimneys, windows and below old leaks. The post-war flats and houses on the estates usually have gypsum plaster or plasterboard that is sound and just needs a skim to look new.
The tap test tells you a lot. Knock gently across the wall with a knuckle: solid walls give a dull sound, blown areas sound hollow. A few small blown patches can be cut out and patched before a skim. Large hollow areas, or walls affected by damp, mean replastering.
Skimming is quicker and causes less mess. Replastering takes longer and needs drying time before decorating. We test the walls first and tell you honestly which they need.
Yes, if it is firmly attached. Loose or hollow areas must be cut out first.
Tap them. Large hollow-sounding areas, crumbling plaster or damp damage mean replastering.
Yes. A skim is usually a day per room; replastering takes longer plus drying time.
A skim needs days to dry; full replastering can need a few weeks. A mist coat goes on first.
Often, yes, once it is checked and prepared properly.
Yes, Woolwich, Plumstead, Charlton, Thamesmead, Abbey Wood and Greenwich.
A thin finishing coat over sound existing plaster.
Old plaster stripped to the brick and rebuilt from scratch.
Dull sound is sound plaster. Hollow means it has come away.
Old lime plaster in terraces often has blown patches.
Sound gypsum or plasterboard usually just needs a skim.
Damp-affected plaster always needs replacing, after the cause is fixed.
Send a photo or a quick video of the room on WhatsApp, or get a free fixed quote, no obligation, and we’ll tell you straight what it needs.
