Can you repair plaster walls in older Edmonton homes?

Yes, we repair plaster walls in older Edmonton homes. Many of Edmonton's character neighbourhoods (Glenora, Highlands, Old Strathcona, Westmount, Ritchie, and parts of Oliver) have homes built between the 1910s and 1950s with original plaster walls over wood lath. These walls have a quality and character that modern drywall simply cannot replicate, and they are absolutely worth preserving when possible.

Plaster Repair Techniques

The right repair approach depends on the type and extent of the damage:

• Hairline cracks: The most common plaster issue. We widen the crack slightly, apply fibreglass mesh tape, and skim coat with setting compound. For recurring cracks (often caused by seasonal movement in older foundations), we use flexible joint compound that accommodates slight movement without re-cracking.
• Map cracking (alligator pattern): This indicates the plaster has lost adhesion from the lath in that area. We re-anchor the plaster to the lath using plaster washers and screws, then skim coat the surface smooth. This technique saves the existing plaster without full removal.
• Loose or bulging plaster: When plaster has separated from the lath but is otherwise intact, we can often re-attach it by injecting construction adhesive behind the plaster and clamping it flat while it cures. This is far less invasive than removal and replacement.
• Holes and missing sections: For areas where plaster is gone entirely, we patch with setting-type compound (such as Durabond 90) built up in layers to match the surrounding thickness, then skim coat to a smooth finish.

When to Save Plaster vs. Replace with Drywall

We generally recommend preserving original plaster when the majority of the wall is sound. Plaster walls are denser, more soundproof, and more fire-resistant than drywall. They also have a slight texture and solidity that adds to the character of a heritage home.

However, if more than 40 to 50 percent of a wall's plaster is damaged or detached, it often makes more financial sense to remove the plaster entirely and install new drywall. We can overlay drywall directly over plaster in some situations (adding 1/4-inch drywall over the existing surface), which avoids the mess and cost of plaster demolition while giving you a fresh, smooth surface.

Skim Coating for a Fresh Start

Many older Edmonton homes have plaster walls that are structurally sound but covered in decades of paint layers, minor imperfections, and old wallpaper adhesive residue. A full skim coat (a thin layer of joint compound applied over the entire surface) creates a perfectly smooth canvas for new paint without removing the existing plaster. This is one of our most popular services for homeowners renovating character homes. Contact us for a free plaster assessment and we will recommend the best approach for your home.