Skimming in Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. Plasterboard walls and ceilings in new-build and converted flats skimmed smooth, with cracks and joints properly repaired.
Royal Arsenal is a mix of converted historic buildings and new riverside apartments, and many homes there were finished with taped-and-jointed plasterboard rather than a full skim. Over time, the joints and screw heads start to show through the paint.
Skimming over plasterboard gives a harder, smoother surface that hides the joints for good. The joints are taped first so they do not crack through, and the skim is applied in two coats and polished flat.
New buildings settle in their first few years, and the hairline cracks that appear at joints and around door frames in Royal Arsenal flats are a common reason for skimming. Those cracks are opened, taped and filled before the skim goes on.
In the converted historic buildings, walls can be a mix of old brick and new board, and each surface is prepared so the skim bonds evenly across both.
Apartment work means planning access, lifts and parking in advance, and keeping communal areas clean, which matters to managing agents and neighbours.
Rooms are protected, and the finished walls are ready for a mist coat once dry.
Royal Arsenal flats in the converted historic buildings can also have high ceilings and tall walls, which need proper access equipment to skim evenly from top to bottom. Planning for that in advance, and agreeing when equipment can come through the building with the concierge or managing agent, keeps the job moving and avoids any upset with neighbours. Photos of the wall or ceiling, and a note of any cracks, damp patches or hollow-sounding areas, are enough to say what the job involves.
Taped and skimmed so they stop showing.
Opened, taped and filled first.
Brick and board prepared to bond evenly.
Polished flat and smooth.
Access and cleanliness planned.
Mist coat once dry.
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.
Taped-and-jointed plasterboard often shows through paint over time.
Settlement cracks are taped and filled first, which stops most returning.
Usually a few days, depending on how many rooms.
Check your lease - we can work around building rules.
Less than replastering, and rooms are protected.
Once it has dried, usually about a week.
Royal Arsenal, Woolwich and nearby.
