Plastering in the bathroom: choice of material and work technology

Because bathrooms are constantly wet and have high humidity, plastering there needs extra care. For the plaster to remain intact and last for years, the right material selection and application methods are essential.

It’s crucial to pick materials for plaster for bathrooms that can tolerate moisture without peeling or cracking. Some plasters are made especially for damp environments and provide superior mold and mildew resistance.

A durable and smooth finish can only be achieved by using the proper work technology in addition to the right plaster selection. In addition to making a surface look good, careful mixing and application will help make sure that it can withstand the demanding conditions found in a bathroom.

Moisture-resistant plaster

Types of hydrophobic and moisture-resistant plaster mixtures:

Leveling is a mixture that smoothes out small irregularities and corrects the plane of the walls. On a cement foundation, water-resistant leveling plaster is created.

Ornamental. Since this plaster is applied in very thin layers in damp rooms, at least two base layers must be applied first. Materials with an acrylic and silicate foundation stand out for their exceptional resistance to moisture.

Various brands of bathroom leveling plaster mixtures:

These plasters work well for rough finishing under tiles or for painting. Learn what to use and how to level the bathroom walls beneath the tiles by reading this article.

Combinations of decorative plaster that resist moisture:

1. Ceresit: ST35 (bark beetle), ST174 pebble silicate-silicone, acrylic mixtures (ST 60, 63, 64), Decor plus hydrophobic (water-repellent).
2. Knauf Diamant.
3. Osnovit: Exterwell fur coat, modeled (to create an original texture), tinted (colored).

Advantages of moisture-resistant plasters:

• vapor permeability – plastered surfaces “breathe” and condensation does not form on them;
• create conditions unfavorable for the development of mold, fungi, bacteria;
• universality — level, decorate, disinfect bathroom walls;
• easy to care for plastered surfaces;
• low cost of finishing;
• large selection of color and texture options;
• no complex preparation required before application;
• no efflorescence.

The right materials and application methods are essential for ensuring durability and moisture resistance when plastering a bathroom. This post will help you choose the best plaster types for damp areas and give you clear instructions on how to apply them correctly so that the walls in your bathroom are safe and look fantastic for many years to come.

Sanitizing compounds for wet rooms

Uses for sanitizing plaster mixtures include:

• restoration of damp walls in old buildings where conventional solutions are unsuitable;
• rapid drying of surfaces in damp rooms;
• prevention of efflorescence, mold colonies, fungus.

Their use has the benefit of allowing rooms to be dried without the need for mechanical impact because moisture is continuously drawn out of the interior. The sanitizing plaster has a porous surface, meaning that its area is greater than usual. Moisture evaporates ten times more quickly as a result. Salts that are left behind after water evaporates stay within the coating’s pores and do not come to the surface.

Various brands of bathroom sanitizing plaster mixtures:

How to level the walls in the bathroom

Cement plaster

This type of plaster is excellent for rooms with a variety of microclimates because it is strong, dependable, and resistant to moisture from both direct and indirect water exposure.

It is best to purchase a product from the store rather than preparing it yourself if you are a novice and are unsure of the quality of the ingredients and their ratio. This is because these qualities rely on the composition of a specific mixture.

Crucial! In the event that the mixture composition is off, what will happen? First of all, it might not stick to the application surface properly; secondly, cracks are likely to form during the drying process, necessitating the removal of such plaster.

Advice:

1. the mixture is not very flexible, requires significant physical effort when applied, does not harden for a long time, gets dirty a lot.
2. Cement adheres well to concrete and brick walls, in other cases it is worth resorting to special nets.
3. Another disadvantage of cement is that it is considered an environmentally unfriendly material, and the preparation of mixtures requires taking protective measures for the respiratory tract and skin.
4. Due to the high consumption, the cost of such plaster will be quite high.

Plaster mixtures containing cement are the most effective solution for leveling the bathroom walls. They produce a strong, water-resistant layer. However, they have the drawback of taking longer to dry than gypsum.

Novice craftsmen are advised to buy ready-made dry mixtures in order to save time, avoid diluting excess dirt, and avoid confusion with the composition.

However, if you choose to make the solution yourself, you will require plasticizer, washed fine-grained sand, and Portland cement grade M400 or M500.

The components are combined in the following ratios:

• M400: sand — in a ratio of 1:4;
• M500: sand — in a ratio of 1:5.

Plasticizer is added to the mixture to improve its elasticity, make plastering easier, improve the solution’s adhesion, and lessen cracking. The manufacturer’s instructions should be consulted as the amount is dependent upon the concentration. A liquid detergent can be used in place of the plasticizer; mix it with water before adding the plaster solution to make 0.5–1% of the final cement’s mass.

Gypsum plaster: can it be used, how to protect it from moisture?

Plaster mixtures containing gypsum are not advised for leveling surfaces in bathrooms, toilets, or other high-humidity areas. However, finishers occasionally still go with this option because it is simpler to apply and has a quicker setting time than cement-sand.

Because gypsum plaster is water-sensitive, it is protected with two to three coats of deeply penetrating primer. On the surface, it forms a film that repels water.

These waterproofing techniques offer further benefits.

• increased adhesion strength of materials and coatings;
• reduced porosity;
• prevention of fungus or mold development.

However, we’d like to share with you! Using a layer of gypsum mortar on the wall’s surface is a quick, easy, affordable, and elegant way to mimic tiles in the bathroom. It won’t take long to apply gypsum, and the outcome will surpass your expectations.

Utilizing moisture-resistant plasterboard (green sheets) to finish the bathroom walls is an additional method of smoothing them out. It is either glued with specialized gypsum glue or fastened to a frame composed of metal profiles. The first approach has the drawback of shrinking the room by 10 cm from each wall, but it is the only option if the curvature is substantial.

Rack-mount and guide profiles are the two types from which the frame is mounted. Dowels are used to secure it to the wall, and hangers are added for extra strength. Self-tapping screws are used to fasten the gypsum boards to the profile, and sickle tape is used to seal the joints. Mounting tape and fastener caps are puttied.

For the glue, the walls are primed beforehand. On the prepared surface, the sheet is covered with glue applied pointwise. If required, use a bubble level and level to confirm the location.

Plasterboard requires good waterproofing, but leveling it is easier than plastering walls. This technique works well for tiling.

Stages of plastering walls

Remove the previous layer and give the surface a brush clean before applying plaster to the walls. It is then advised to use a damp sponge to clean the surface and soapy water to wash away any remaining grime.

Make sure you use a plumb line or level to measure the plane.

Primers must be applied prior to plastering. As previously stated, this will give the ornament strength, resistance to moisture, and mold protection. two layers of primer applied with a brush, roller, or spray.

Three layers are covered with the mixture. The solution becomes more liquid with each new layer of plaster. Method:

1. Before starting application, metal beacons are installed on the walls, which are attached to the surface to small portions of the solution.
2. Under the first layer of the wall, it is recommended to spray water from a spray gun.
3. Pour the solution with a spatula or painting bucket, starting from below. Then they are aligned with the rule attached to the guides, lifting it up and moving it a little from side to side.
4. The crumbling walls are additionally reinforced with a net, which is fixed in the first layer of plaster.
5. After complete drying, you need to plaster again.
6. For better adhesion to the finish layer on the fresh second, the notches are made with a gear spatula.
7. The last layer is made of a decorative mixture or rubbed if preparing for painting.

In a bathroom, proper plastering is essential to guaranteeing longevity and a tidy appearance. It is possible to create a surface that is long-lasting and resistant to moisture with the correct materials applied carefully.

Every stage, from selecting the right plaster to properly applying it, is essential to the final result. The technique and attention to detail are crucial, regardless of whether you choose to use contemporary waterproof alternatives or traditional cement-based plaster.

Not only can you protect your bathroom from future damage by using high-quality materials and adhering to recommended methods, but you’ll also improve its appearance. Your walls will remain in excellent condition for many years to come if your bathroom is properly plastered. It can withstand moisture and regular use.