How Hard Is It To Repair My Plaster Wall?

First of all, your motivation is essential. To repair your plaster wall or ceiling may be a hot, dusty and labor-intensive affair. If you are not afraid of work and are willing to learn, you're halfway there.

The other part is your ability to handle simple hand tools. You don't have to be a mechanical genius. I'm certainly not.

If you are comfortable with a hammer, pliers, wrench, paint brush . . . can do a little work on your car if you have to. . .if you're not afraid to tackle a small carpentry or drywall project (even if you're not good at it), then I'd say you have the basic intelligence and manual dexterity to repair that plaster wall. Not to mention applying beautiful textures to that repaired surface, if you choose.

What you may lack is specific knowledge of specialized tools, materials and techniques. Here is where I can be of service.

I am going to provide you with the knowledge you need to do a professional looking job. Your basic skill will develop with practice. Self-determination, patience and perseverence will be your contribution.

If you truly like doing stuff for yourself and will hang in there, you will be thrilled by what you can accomplish. And did I mention - with all the money you will save!

A Special Note of Encouragement

The materials you are going to use to repair and renovate your plaster wall or ceiling are forgiving. You're not working in concrete. If something doesn't look quite right to you, you can often do it over fairly easily until you get what you want.

You should also take the opportunity, before tackling the project inself, to practice a bit in order to build up your confidence and give you a better "feel" for the tools and materials you will be working with.

You can substitute drywall scraps, plywood, even cardboard for an actual wall as you practice, especially when you are trying out different textures (to be applied, if you choose, after your wall or ceiling is fixed).

Some people like to buy a sheet or two of drywall, cutting it up into halves or thirds if necessary to get it home, and temporarily tack or screw it up on something so they have a realistic vertical surface to work on. Like a real wall.

Regarding cracks, you can practice right on the plaster wall itself. If you don't get it right, scrape it off and let the plaster dry in that spot while you try a different crack. Be flexible and see what works for you. Don't worry, you will get full instruction on crack taping.

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