Automated Tools Are Now Must-Haves – Here’s Why!

taping tools

Did you know, the very first drywalling taping tools came onto the market back in the 1930s? That’s nearly 90 years ago.

But the truth is, even in 2019, many contractors are still working as if they’re back in that era. and it’s understandable.

Is It Time To Upgrade?

If you normally do your drywalling by hand in the time-tested way most professionals learned their trade as apprentices, you might not have given the new automatic taping tools a second thought. After all, you don’t want to find yourself doing a job that’s below par. You’ve spent years honing your craft and taking pride in your work.

But if we can get your attention just for a second on the subject of automated tools, we might have some good news for you.

We’d like to let you know how plugging in could actually make all the difference to your business – not just in terms of the hard work you’re putting in, but in cost-efficiency too. Not only would you save precious time and save on man hours, you could find yourself with a more efficient work flow that means you can charge the same for the same job, but spend less time doing it.

The most important thing to take away from this is that the quality of finish you get from automatic taping tools is impressively good and, if done right, will match hand finishers. Automatic taping tools are designed by professionals who know the high quality of manual work you produce – they are made to perfect drywalling fixing and finishing results at a fraction of the speed it would normally take you.

Get The Edge Over Your Competitors

In the marketplace you’re up against your local competitors every day, and the chances are they haven’t caught on to automation yet – so why not give yourself a big head start by getting trained in automatic taping tools, investing in the right equipment, and giving your staff the benefit of some professional development!

Your walls will be smooth, perfectly prepared – still the same recipe for job satisfaction as ever.

How about safety? Well, you’ll reduce the risk substantially by using automated tools as you’ll be able to reach higher places with less equipment. In fact, safe working is one of the driving forces behind the growing popularity of automated taping tools.

Have we got you interested? Contact us if you need some more information, or have a look through our range of taping tools to discover the equipment that will work best for your business needs. Don’t want to commit? Why not hire? We reckon you’ll soon be back to thank us for introducing you to automated taping tools!

Level 5 – Affordable Drywall Tools That Work!

LEVEL5 Tools

Here’s some great news for drywallers everywhere, and it’s called Level 5. If you’re looking for quality at competitive prices when you’re stocking up on drywall tools, you’ll definitely want to consider Level 5 products.

Who Are Level 5?

Level 5 began trading (under a different name) nearly 20 years ago, and over that time they’ve expanded and developed steadily and impressively to become one of the biggest names in value products for drywalling. Whether you’re looking for tools or drywall supplies, for taping or finishing, Level 5 really do understand what’s needed for professional results.

What’s more, they supply it at a fraction of the price of some other manufacturers.

With Level 5 tools, you’ll get an impressive 7-year warranty with some tools, which is backed up by excellent customer service and industry knowledge. That’s why so many of our clients are regular Level 5 customers.

We Stock The Full Range

At Gypsumtools, we’re proud to stock Level 5 products and recommend them to our customers, not just for the price tag, but for the quality too.

You could be paying only half what you would for comparable drywall tools from other brands when you choose Level 5. And of course any repairs and replacements are dealt with swiftly and professionally.

Take a look at our product pages for the full range of Level 5 hand tools and automatic taping tools. You’ll find taping knives, putty knives, and pointing knives, all designed for excellent grip and flexibility. Some taping tools are bundled too so you can stock up a load of different tools at a competitive price. Corner finishing tools and mud pan bundles are among the bargains you can order from us at Gypsumtools.

Great Tools At Great Prices!

How do their prices stay so affordable? Simply by maintaining the priority for giving the customer the best possible price without cutting corners.

With many tools a third less than competitor’s prices, you’ll not only have the tool you need for an excellent drywalling job, you’ll also have kept your budget on track – which means valuable savings you can pass on to your own clients, or save for elsewhere in your building project.

Level 5 is a global brand with a track record of quality goods and excellent service. What’s more, many of their repair parts work equally well as a replacement for more expensive brands, which is great news if you just needed a part.

This could solve your tooling problem at a fraction of the price. It’s worth checking, so give us a call and we’ll be able to help!

Find out how you can make huge savings on our taping tools with our Taping Tool Kit Builder, featuring DeWalt and Level 5 taping tools.

Dry Lining Vs Wet Plaster – Which Is Best?

Dry Lining Or Wet Plaster

When it comes to getting that professional finish on your interior walls, it’s essential to go for the materials that give you the appearance and functionality you need, at the right price.

You’re basically faced with the choice between wet plaster and dry lining. Of course the decision will come down to a few different factors, like the price, soundproofing, ease of application, and the location of the work. Let’s go through a few general factors that will help you in most situations to make the right call.

Breaking Down The Options

Now, obviously, dry lining is faster. Getting a piece of plasterboard in place speeds things up, and you avoid the problem of cracks and surface issues that can be a challenge with wet plaster.

Wet plaster still has a lot of benefits though. Whether you go for gypsum that’s trowelled onto blockwork, or cement – both of which need to be finished with a skim of gypsum) – the cost is about the same. It’s an especially good choice for tricky areas, but it does need some degree of skill.

And there’s also the option for using traditional materials like lime or clay, which costs more but may work for you if you like a finish that’s in keeping with natural renovations.

Speed And Price Are Factors

If you go for plasterboard, you can tape over joins, or alternatively, add a skim layer of plaster over the whole surface. The dry lining can be joined to the wall with adhesive, or screwed onto timber frames. Fixings such as heating and shelves aren’t always a simple job with dry-lining, whereas a plastered wall makes this a much simpler job.

So basically, the costs aren’t that much different between wet plaster and dry lining, but the time difference and hence the labour costs are much higher for wet plaster. Depending on the time of year, waiting for the freshly plastered wall to dry can also take a few days wait.

If you’re in a rush, you prefer to save on labour costs, and if you’re not overly concerned about fixtures on this wall, then you may be better off considering dry lining.

Summary

We can provide all the dry lining tools you’ll need to complete the job too, from the simpler things like hammers and hawks through to the more specialist tools like drills, vacuums and sanders.

If you’re unsure about the exact tools you’ll need for job, just let us know and we’ll be happy to help. You can call us on 08456 254 321 or we also have a live chat option on our website.

What Plastering Tools Does An Apprentice Need?

plaster-to-plaster

So you’re about to embark on the road to becoming a fully trained professional plasterer? That’s great news – but what exactly do you need to get started?

Understanding what tools an apprentice plasterer needs can be challenging, especially if you’re completely new to the industry and starting from square one. That’s where we come in!

As one of the UK’s leading suppliers of plastering and dry lining equipment, we’re perfectly placed to help you get the tools you need at a great price.

What tools do you need as part of your apprentice kit? Don’t panic, we’re going to run through a complete kit so you know exactly which tools you need to start your plastering journey.

This is the complete apprentice plastering kit checklist so get your notepad out, here we go!

The Checklist

As a minimum, any plastering apprentice will need the following tools to start work on site:

  • Plastering Trowel
  • Bucket Trowel
  • Hawk
  • Water Brush
  • Corner Trowel

These tools are required for any novice plasterer learning their trade – as time passes, you’ll need a few more as your skill level improves, but the list above covers the basic techniques. All our apprentice kits contain these tools as a minimum, so check these out if you’re looking for a comprehensive collection of plastering tools.

Before we get to the tools in more detail, there’s one brief but important point that needs to be made. We often get asked if buying cheap plastering tools is worth it, and the short answer is no – you’ll never get a high quality finish from a low quality piece of equipment, so if you’re serious about becoming a professional and reputable plasterer, you need to invest in your tools set.

Not only do the better tools give you a better finish, they’ll also speed up your work and generally make life on site that bit easier for you.

Anyway, back to the list! First up, we have the most important tool in your arsenal…

Plastering Trowel

If you’re going to plaster a wall or ceiling, you’re going to need a trowel of course. Choosing the right trowel for you can be tough as there are thousands on the market, but our apprentice kits use trowels selected from respected brands like Marshalltown and Nela.

When you’re starting out and learning how to plaster, we’d suggest starting out with a 14” trowel as this brings the perfect balance of size and control. Too small a trowel and you’ll struggle to hold the plaster when applying it to a wall; too big and you won’t be able to develop your technique effectively.

Learning how to use your plastering trowel correctly will be tough at first, but once you get the hang of it you can look to upgrade your tool.

Whatever you do here, don’t go for something cheap – your plastering trowel is what will deliver the high quality finish so it makes sense to invest. We recommend the Marshalltown 14” trowel which comes as part of the Marshalltown apprentice kit.

Bucket Trowel

Another key tool is the bucket trowel, used for scooping up your plaster before applying it to the surface. Again there are thousands of options here just like the plastering trowel, but it’s slightly less critical to invest in quality here as this tool doesn’t directly impact the finish of your work.

All our apprentice kits contain a bucket trowel as standard.

Hawk

You have a choice of material when it comes to plastering hawks – plastic or aluminium.

In some cases, apprentices can find plastic hawks easier to use due to their lighter weight. That said, because they’re made from plastic they have a tendency to snap after periods of extended use.

Aluminium hawks are included in our apprentice packs as they are stronger and more durable, making them a longer-lasting option. They can be slightly more tricky to use because of their weight, but aluminium is still quite light and there’s no risk of the hawk snapping.

Water Brush

All apprentices will need a water brush as this is used towards the end of the plastering process to give a perfect finish to the final coat of plaster.

It’s also a handy tool to have around when you’re running behind schedule and the plaster is starting to set – a quick wipe with your water brush and you can save your walls.

Again, water brushes are dime a dozen but the cheap knock-off versions will leave bristles in your plaster and delay you on site. Invest in a reliable branded tool here.

Corner Trowel

Last but by no means least, we have the corner trowel. Another crucial tool in your kit, the corner trowel is used to smooth down the plaster in the corner of a room.

When you’re working on an entire room, you’re going to need to plaster in the corners where the walls meet. Without a corner trowel, leaving a high quality finish at a 90 degree angle will be almost impossible.

Our apprentice kits always include a corner trowel as standard, usually from reputable brands like Marshalltown and RST.

Summary

This concludes our list of the key plastering tools any apprentice needs to start their journey of becoming a professional plasterer. This isn’t an exhaustive list and it’s likely that you’ll need many more tools on the job, but this list is a great place to start.

Don’t forget to check out our range of apprentice kits designed to give you all the tools you need at a fantastic price!

Secure Your Plastering & Drylining Tools With Armorgard

Armorgard OxBox

After a long day on site, it’s time to down tools and head home for a well-deserved break before starting up again the next day.

The plastering or drylining tools you’ve worked hard and paid for need to be stored safely overnight under lock and key until the next morning, so it’s important to know they’re in a safe place away from the possibility of damage or worse, theft.

When it comes to high quality secure storage options for tools of all shapes and sizes, Armorgard offer some of the best products on the current market. From concept and design through to manufacture and servicing, their team support the UK’s network of plasterers and drylining with robust tool storage systems built around the needs of the everyday user.

We’re delighted to stock a selection of plastering and drylining tool storage products from Armorgard to our customers. We’ve chosen to partner with Armorgard because of their continued attention to detail and value for money across their entire product range – something we know our customers have benefitted from time and time again.

Not only that, Armorgard understand that storing drylining tools safely shouldn’t be taken lightly. Theft from building sites or the work vehicles of professional tradesmen is unfortunately all too common these days, so keeping your tools protected in an Armorgard storage unit can provide the security and reliability you need.

This brand understands that their products will ‘take a knock’ every now and then, especially on site, which is why their range is designed with a core focus on strength and durability.

If you need a safe way to store your tools, Armorgard offer a variety of different options to suit the size and weight of your products. All Armorgard products are tested to a strict quality control standard to ensure the very best quality and guarantee the safety of your plastering or drylining tools.

Not only are these storage systems safe, they also pay attention to small details that can make using the system that little bit easier, for example:

  • Powerful gas-powered struts are used on each storage box to help open and close the lid, taking away the weight and allowing you to focus on grabbing the tools you need.
  • Heavy duty Chubb-style keys come as standard and won’t snap easily. They can also be removed from the lock when the box is unlocked for ease of access.
  • Each product is branded with a unique serial number for additional security and this gives you the option of a guaranteed replacement key service in the event you misplace your existing set.
  • Forklift skids are in place on all the storage system products for extra mobility and come with pre-drilled holes which allow castors to be added simply and easily.

During the development of all their products, the Armorgard team spend a significant amount of time on construction and works sites to ensure their next set of tool storage options are tailored to the needs of the market. New products must continue to match the already high standards set by their predecessors and, most importantly, remain innovative and versatile.

Here at Gypsumtools, we’re proud to provide a selection of Armorgard products including the ever-popular OxBox Site Box as well as the mobile Cutting Station and Folding Board Trolley. All of these products combine stylish design with reliability, something that is almost guaranteed to improve your productivity when working on site.

As the UK’s go-to brand for durable products that work, Armorgard are comfortably ahead of the competition for tool storage innovation and quality.

Drywall Flat Boxes – Should You Be Using One?

Using a drywall flat box

If you’re about to start putting up some drywall or thinking about becoming a drywalling professional, getting the right kit for the task in hand can be challenging – especially if you’ve little-to-no experience in the field already.

That said, you’ll be pleased to hear there is a range of automatic drywalling tools that have been specifically designed to make your life quicker and easier. With years of design and development behind them, these tools are must-haves if you want to drywall effectively.

One of those tools is the drywall flat box.

What Is A Drywall Flat Box?

Once your drywall has been put up, you’ll want to start covering the joints between boards with a combination of tape and joint compound to leave a smooth finish across the entire surface of your wall. You can do this by hand or by using an automatic taper for speed and efficiency.

After the tape and compound have been applied, this is where your flat box comes in.

Drywall flat boxes come in various sizes (including 7”, 10” and 12”) and is run over each joint in turn, trowelling the compound and feathering the edges for a precise crown. They are used to ensure more consistent results and a smooth finish across all drywall joints. The box is designed as a device that will make your drywalling life easier and the job of covering joints much quicker to complete.

We think that once you’ve used a drywall flat box, you won’t want to go back to doing the job manually!

How To Use A Drywall Flat Box

Take a look at our drywall flat boxes to see what exactly we’re talking about here.

The flat box in itself isn’t a complicated tool to use, but mastering its delivery of compound in a smooth and consistent way will take practise. The box is filled with joint compound and this pushes the hinged pressure plate forward – this in turn forces the joint compound out through a slot on the face panel.

The adjustable crown setting dial gives you the freedom to amend how quickly the joint compound is pushed through the slot, meaning you can change the amount of joint compound being used between applications.

When you start to work on your drywall, the compound flows out of the slot in the face plate and a steel blade then smooths it to ensure a consistent finish throughout the application.

As you use your drywall flat box, make sure you lay the box wheels and blade flat against the joint. Then, release the brake lever which is located at the bottom of the handle and put consistent pressure onto the face plate as you move the box across the length of the joint.

Remember to keep the handle angled at 45 degrees to deliver the best finish possible. Also, make sure you start at the end of the joint and work in towards the middle – to finish a vertical joint, start at the bottom, work to the middle and then from the top down.

Last but by no means least, when you remove the drywall flat box from the wall, do this in a smooth sweeping motion to avoid leaving clumps of compound on the joint.

Reasons To Use A Drywall Flat Box

There are a number of advantages to using a drywall flat box, much in the same way as using an automatic taper. These benefits include:

  • Complete joint finishing quicker and more efficiently
  • Finishing with the flat box requires significantly less physical effort than finishing by hand
  • Easier to finish joints in hard-to-reach areas
  • Work safer, without the need for ladders or plastering stilts
  • Enjoy a smoother, cleaner finish on every joint
  • Save both time and money with less room for error

Summary

If you only need to drywall one site or the job is relatively small, you might feel that investing in a drywall flat box isn’t necessary. Flat boxes require regular maintenance and cleaning after each use, so while it could be a pain for small sites, it could be a blessing for any larger drywall jobs.

We offer a selection of drywall flat boxes including the Columbia Fat Boy Box and the Level 5 Mega Flat Box – you can take a look at the full range here.

Order your drywall flat box online today!

 

4T Jointing Compound – Versatile, Durable & High Quality

As one of the leading jointing compound products available on the market right now, 4T has been designed specifically for the drywall professional.

If you’re looking for a compound that can make your job easier, this is the one for you. 4T has such a multitude of uses that it can save you both time and money over the long term – use it for everything from embedding tape and finishing corner bead to topping and texturing.

And before we get into this post, we’re delighted to announce we are ready to take your pre-orders of 4T jointing compound buckets right now, available on pallet for just £15 each – so get in touch on 08456 254321!

Benefits of 4T

Because it’s such a versatile compound that is perfect for use in automatic tools on a wide range of projects, there are so many benefits that come with choosing to work with 4T jointing compound.

There’s the ease at which this compound can be sanded down when dry. As it’s such a high quality product, the drywall professionals we know love how 4T compound reduces the physicality of the sanding process thanks to its easy-to-sand properties. There aren’t many other jointing compounds on the market that can reduce the physical demand of sanding, but 4T sets the bar in this area.

Furthermore, the lightweight properties of 4T jointing compound deliver low shrinkage and make it incredibly quick to clean up. Rushed to finish you taping jointing and need to tidy up your workspace? Don’t panic – 4T can be easily wiped away before it hardens and doesn’t leave any residue on your tools. This is certainly a compound that you can trust time and time again.

Most notable of all these benefits though is the glass-like finish this compound delivers – something that can’t be matched by other similarly priced products on the market. 4T has been developed to attach to walls evenly and consistently, meaning you’ll be left with a near pock-free finish every time.

Combine all this with a great low price and you have the ideal jointing compound!

Buy 4T Direct From Us!

Here at Gypsumtools we provide 4T compound by pallet and now by bucket, giving you complete flexibility on how you want your compound delivered. Not only that, our stock of 4T in buckets gives you much more than just the compound itself.

Each individual bucket is completely reusable which means when you run low on compound, you can resupply using our boxed 4T rather than having to reorder another bucket. Also, the bucket is the perfect mixing tool – stick your paddle straight in, mix your compound and away you go. You can even place your pump directly into the bucket to fill your automatic taping tools.

Our new buckets of 4T compound are also 17 litres in size compared to the standard boxes which are only 14.7 litres. We are currently offering our buckets on a pallet at just £15 each, with single buckets also available at £16 each – pre-order yours now by calling 08456 254321.

The perfect product for taping tools, topping and texture, 4T is the only multipurpose compound you’ll ever need.

Flex Power Tools – ‘The Original’

When it comes to the plastering and drylining industry, Flex have been at the forefront of the market with their range of drills, mixers and vacuums for decades.

With their commitment to developing quality tools and providing great customer service, Flex Power Tools are one of the biggest brands we work with – and we’re delighted to be among their group of specialist approved dealers in the UK.

Who are Flex?

Established back in 1922, Flex’s success has been built across the last hundred years thanks to an astonishing ability to innovate and solve new on-site problems with robust products time and time again.

Their first creation was to develop some of the earliest handheld tools which were powered by stationary electric motors attached to flexible shafts. It was this tool that inspired the name ‘Flex’.

Today their product range is quite different! Utilising all their years of experience, they have developed a number of high quality plastering and drylining tools all aimed at improving both job efficiency and safety. A fantastic example of this is one of their latest products – the Flex Giraffe – which was originally developed back in 1997 as the first electric-powered long-neck sander for ceilings and walls.

The latest variation of the Giraffe tool is one of their most popular products today thanks to its telescopic function, interchangeable sanding heads and perfect handling. You can take a look at this amazing sanding tool in more detail here.

What makes them different?

Flex continue to display fantastic commitment to the trade – their amazing product range is only available via a number of approved distributors, including Gypsumtools! And there is good reason for their decision.

As an organisation, Flex believe that users who place high value on both the quality and functionality of their tools expect the best advice. In order for that to happen, only authorised and trained dealers such as the team here at Gypsumtools are able to sell their tools.

To support this ongoing commitment to their customers, Flex also offer a 2 year manufacturer’s guarantee on all power tools purchased through an approved dealer.

Gypsumtools are proud to provide Flex tools as part of our plastering and drylining tools range, and are delighted to work with them both now and going forward.

Our specific range of Flex products covers power mixers, wall sanders, ceiling sanders, drills, vacuums and more. Perfect for any building professional, these tools are all available to order online and you can also enjoy free deliver on any order over £99 (excluding VAT).

Summary

Here at Gypsumtools, our expert team take great pride in the quality of the tools we stock – which is why we choose to work with some of the best tool manufacturers in the world just like Flex. Our in-house experts will always be able to offer their advice and guidance when using Flex tools so you can get the job done quickly and safely.

To find out more about any of our Flex tools, give us a call on 08456 254 321 and speak to a member of the team.

Plastering Trowels – Plastic Or Metal?

expert plastering

Over the last few years, there’s been a stark increase in the use of plastic trowels within the UK plastering industry.

Not only that, there is now a clear division between tradesmen as to which is the better tool for the job – plastic or metal.

With such a huge range of choice now available both online and in store, the plastering world has seen significant leaps forward recently in terms of the technology available and the tools used on site day-to-day. For example, a trowel that gave a great finish 3 or 4 years ago has now probably been surpassed by a more modern and lightweight version.

For many plasterers in the UK, the choice between a plastic or a metal trowel is quite clear. You’ll either love the new plastic varieties or loathe them!

Let’s take a look at each version in turn, and then we’ll deliver our opinion on which trowel reigns supreme.

Metal Trowels

The more traditional plastering trowel is usually made from stainless steel and is therefore built to last. They will usually require a little more maintenance but if looked after can last for years at a time.

By default, any type of metal trowel will be stronger than a plastic one and is therefore much less susceptible to damage when being used on site.

Despite their strength and reliability, metal trowels are generally heavier than their plastic counterparts and this can have an impact on your ability to plaster a wall effectively the longer a job goes on. For example, plastering for 3 hours with a metal trowel will be far more strenuous than using a plastic trowel.

Metal trowels can be relied upon to bring consistency to your plastering as they have done for decades, but the rise in popularity of plastic trowels has given that alternative option for plasterers looking to take their work to the next level.

Don’t forget about the brand new Level 5 Spatulas that can be relied on to deliver a high quality finish consistently – this is why the spatulas are the number one choice for many plastering professionals at the moment.

Plastic Trowels

The new kid on the block is the plastic trowel. Lighter and more flexible, plastic trowels are ideal for those in need of a tool that is easier on their body when plastering.

Most plasterers that have recently made the switch to plastic trowels have done so due to their lighter weight. Less weight means less effort is required to plaster a wall – and let’s be honest, who doesn’t want that?

There is now a huge range of plastic trowels available on the market to suit almost any need, so if you’re looking to try one out, now is the time.

Plastic tools aren’t without their downsides however. As they aren’t made from such a sturdy material, they are more susceptible to damage during use, especially when going over beads for example.

Summary

It’s fair to say that the plastic trowel shouldn’t be viewed as a complete replacement for your metal trowel just yet – they’ve been specifically designed and developed to help with the finishing of a wall or ceiling.

What we will say is that it’s certainly worth trying out a plastic trowel to see if it suits your plastering style, as it will invariably make your life easier if so.

The majority of plasterers don’t like to change their kit too regularly, especially when they’ve found a specific tool that they’ve used for a while and are really comfortable with – but this is definitely one area you might want to experiment.

How To Repair A Damaged Plaster Wall

Plaster Wall Repair

Keeping your home looking great can be a constant challenge as you fight against cracks and holes appearing all over the place. Repairing damaged plaster can often be high on your list, but thankfully it’s a task that can be completed successfully by a skilled DIYer.

As homes age, it’s only natural for things to become a lot more susceptible to deterioration. This is particularly common in older buildings that still have walls or ceilings made from plaster rather than the now standard drywall or wallboard.

When you come across damage to a wall in your home or patches of loose plaster, you’ll need to repair the area before you can start painting or wallpapering – keep reading to learn how!

First things first, make sure you’ve got all the necessary tools to get the job done: check out our comprehensive plastering tools checklist.

To repair a crack…

Before getting started, make sure the floor under the crack has been covered with a protective dust sheet and this has been secured with painter’s tape. This will ensure the floor isn’t damaged by any spilt plaster or joint compound, as well as making the clean-up a lot simpler.

Once you’re prepared and ready to go, start by inspecting the crack and removing any loose pieces of plaster if there are any. You can also use a damp rag or cloth to wipe away dust or small debris to ensure the crack is clean for repair. The next task is to dampen the immediate area around the crack with a spray bottle of water to ensure the surface is ready to be repaired.

Then following the manufacturer’s instructions, mix up your plaster or you could used (ready mixed jointing compound) in a large bucket and pour this into a mud pan. From here, apply a thin layer of plaster/jointing compound directly over the crack with a plastering knife or jointing knife as they are commonly known and make sure the finish sits level with the rest of the wall.

Thankfully, repairs to cracks generally only require one layer of plaster or joint compound, so just allow this to dry over the next 24 hours and check when the plaster has set. If you’re short on time, why not add our plaster accelerator to the mix.

Safety note – whenever you are dealing with plaster, make sure you wear the appropriate safety equipment including clothing, footwear, goggles and also a mask to prevent dust inhalation.

The last step once the plaster or joint compound has dried successfully is to sand and smooth the area down ready for decorating. Take a piece of fine-grit sandpaper and simply sand the jointing compound down until the finish is smooth and level with the existing wall.

Once you’re happy, wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any dust and allow this to dry fully before painting.

If you prefer, you can also use a joint compound to patch a crack if the damage isn’t too severe. Just smooth a small amount directly onto the crack, allow it to dry and then sand down before painting or wallpapering.

To repair a hole…

In most cases, when you come across a hole in your wall, you’ll need to start by removing any damaged plaster using a hammer and chisel to chip away and smooth out the area.

Take care here not to chip away too much plaster or hit too hard as you may damage the plaster even further. As a final step, smooth the edges of the hole as required with a utility knife.

When the plaster is prepared and dry, use a paintbrush to apply a layer of bonding agent to the exposed plaster. This will allow the plaster or jointing compound you’re about to apply to bond correctly with the rest of the wall.

After mixing up your plaster in a bucket, the first coat should be applied using a putty knife. For the second coat, you’ll need to cross-satch the first coat of plaster as it begins to set – this means scratching or scoring the plaster with a putty knife to create shallow grooves which help the two coats of plaster bond together more effectively.

Once this first layer has dried for 24 hours, dampen the area with a spray bottle of water and repeat the process. Again, let this new layer dry for a further 24 hours.

To complete the repair, you’ll need to apply joint compound on the newly dry plaster layer. Smooth this out to reach around 3” wider than the hole to create a thin veil across the wall, blending the old plaster in with the new. Once this is dry, grab your fine-grit sandpaper and smooth the entire area down.

It’s at this point you can prime the area and prepare it for painting or wallpapering.

So there you have it, two step-by-step methods to repair the most common types of plaster damage in your home. Follow our guides and you can’t go wrong, but if you do need more guidance, here’s a video version of the process.

Plastering & Drylining Health & Safety Tips For Work On-Site

Plastering Health & Safety Tips

When it comes to staying safe on the job, health and safety is not something you should ignore in any profession. Although it can sometimes seem time-consuming and even frustrating, the whole idea of this practice is to keep you and those working around you safe.

If you’re not convinced of its importance, it was widely reported that 507,000 workers suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2016/17 – many of which were a direct result of inadequate health and safety practices. The Health and Safety Act 1974 regulations are regularly tweaked to improve worker safety and reduce this number as much as possible, but a small number of injuries are always going to occur.

Construction sites are a dangerous place so it pays to take your time and consider how you can stay safe when completing the task in hand. Thankfully plastering isn’t classed as one of the more risky jobs on site (compared to scaffolding for example), but there are still particular elements that require certain safety measures to be followed.

With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at some basic health and safety tips for plasterers.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All plasterers and Dryliners are required to protect themselves from hazards with specific protective equipment when working on site. This includes odour masks, shoes that are suitable for use on ladders and protective eyewear designed to block airborne particles and flying pieces of plaster.
Without these pieces of equipment, you run the risk of being injured by debris caused by plastering or falling from a height when applying plaster to a ceiling or wall. This leads nicely onto our next tip for health and safety.

Working At Height

Whenever you climb a ladder or work at height, stability is crucial in order to work safely and minimise risk. There are unfortunately a number of hazards directly linked to working at height and there will always be an inherent risk, but taking the required steps to ensure everything is as safe as possible can make a huge difference.

Make sure your ladder is in good condition and secured on a level, stable base before climbing. When working, don’t lean or overstretch yourself – come down off your ladder and reposition it to reduce the risk of falling.

Plasterers also generally have to use hazardous equipment such as heat strippers, drills and hammers to get the job done. With that in mind, having a stable base for your ladder or plastering stilts is even more important. If you can’t maintain your balance when working at height, you’re at risk of serious injury.

Working Alongside Other Tradespeople

Plastering is usually completed during the stages of a build where other tradespeople will still be carrying out their jobs around you – plumbers, tilers, carpenters etc for example. As you’ll be working in close proximity to others, it’s important to bear in mind their safety as well as your own.

In most instances, a cross trades risk assessment is required to ensure all workers can complete their jobs safely without impacting anyone else around them. Different tasks being completed mean different risks to those on site, so as there will be a bigger range of health and safety issues at play, it makes sense to understand all risks and work towards minimising them as much as possible.

General Health & Safety Guidance

All construction sites should undergo a full risk assessment as well as identifying who will be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the workers during the build. This person should also be in a position to keep themselves up-to-date with new information regarding hazards or materials.
If you are involved in this on your site, here are some questions you should consider:

  • Is the workplace well organised and efficient?
  • Is the correct protective equipment available?
  • Are the correct health and safety signs/notices being displayed?
  • Are site visitors aware of the various health and safety risks?
  • Is there a first aid resource?
  • Who will report any and all health and safety breaches?

The CSCS Health, Safety & Environment Test

This is a minimum requirement for all plasterers regardless of whether you are a labourer, skilled worker or looking to move into a supervisory position on site.

The test is official recognition that you understand and meet the various health and safety standards that relate to your job. Alongside that, it’s also an indication that you remain up-to-date with the latest health and safety standards. To find out more about this test, visit the official CSCS site here.

Summary

Staying safe when plastering is straightforward if you’re able to correctly follow the appropriate regulations. Get yourself the right protective equipment, make sure you follow health and safety protocol when on site and you should be able to stay safe.

If you’d like to find out more about the minimum health and safety requirements for plasterers, visit the UK Government HSE site here for further details and example risk assessments.

The Different Types Of Plasterboard Joint Tape

Plasterboard Joint Tape

Getting the right materials for any job is vital. Fortunately these days it’s not hard to find just the right quality product, designed specifically for the task in hand.

That’s why plasterboard joint tape comes in two types, so when you’re planning the finishing materials for your next job you can make sure it fits the purpose. How do you know which kind of joint tape to pick? No problem. Here’s all the information you need on plasterboard joint tape.

Basically, for plasterboard joining you’re looking at using either scrim tape, or jointing tape. There are good reasons why either of these can be your perfect choice, depending on the circumstances, and of course there are often ways around it if you need to use the other. Let’s look at the difference between the two.

Scrim Tape

Scrim tape is a newer product and it’s made from fibreglass. It’s great to use on a flat join because it comes self-adhesive, so it’s ready to stick into place, without the need to add an extra compound or filler underneath. Because the fibreglass is woven into a mesh, it has flexibility and strength that keeps it firmly in place while you spread the jointing compound over the join.

Remember that, although you can fold scrim tape, and it can sometimes be perfect for internal joints, for angles it’s usually not going to give you the same crisp edge you’d get from a pre-creased jointing tape.

Jointing Tape

So how about jointing tape? Jointing tape is made from paper, which has its own pros and cons. In practice, many professionals still prefer it for most jobs as it’s cheaper and comes in larger quantities so it’s convenient to have on hand for a range of jobs. But it’s a matter of preference.

If you need a tape you can fold and crease for a corner or angled join, you’re probably going to be looking at jointing tape over scrim tape. Jointing tape comes ready creased, but it isn’t self-adhesive. It’s not as strong as scrim tape, and you’ll need to add extra jointing compound, although experienced tradesmen usually find ways around this.

Metal Angle Tape

Last but by no means least, we have metal angle tape. Perhaps the least well-known plasterboard tape variety, this option is specifically designed for external corner joints and unique angles like those around bay windows for example.

With such a specific purpose, you need to have the right circumstances to use this tape – there’s little point using it on a flat joint due to the two strips of thin steel embedded into the trim. This is what helps to create a crisp, clean finish on external corners and ensures a sharp line on all angles.

It’s the perfect solution for areas where rigid angle beads aren’t suitable, so if you’re looking for a simple way to tidy up angles and external edges with minimal fuss, metal angle tape could be the option for you.

Summary

So, in summary, the professionals have their own preferences and workarounds. But if you’re new to this kind of job, it’s generally worth using scrim tape for a flat surface and joint tape for an angle.

For a perfect result, it’s essential to choose the right plasterboard joint tape. An unwanted crease or bulge will be hard to hide, whereas a smooth and simple join is going to make it so much easier for you to achieve a professional overall finish.