Update on a Wall repair (wall straightening and rennovation project) in Edinburgh.

Straight walls are important because if they are not straight to begin with, it creates revonnation nightmares down the road. An unstraight wall can cause problems for plasterers, carpenters, plumbers and even floor renovation projects.

Edinburgh customers go here for wall repair or wall straightening services. Also see: Insurance work for wall repair (flood, fire, subsistence).

Poor construction often results in unstraight walls. Damp or subsidence can often cause walls to come out of joint.

This Costorphine, Edinburgh customer was having a new kitchen fitted so the wall had to be as straight and solid as possible.

Approach: Wall Straightening/Renovation/Lime plastering

The repairs were made with fresh plastering and some invisible line repairs.

BEFORE: THE WALL DAMAGE IS OBVIOUS

Before: Wall cracks and brick work exposed.

Before: Wall badly in need of repair. Cracks, holes and loose mortar invite damp.

Before: Uneven patches and cracks require fresh lime plaster.

AFTER: WALL REPAIRED AND STRAIGHTENED

After: Wall straightening and repair of this Edinburgh home.

After- smooth cracks and unevenness gone.

After- with wall repaired and damp-
proof, painting can be done.

The Lime plaster was usefull for its strength, as required for the fixing of the kitchen and the fact it was a basement flat, prone to damp.

This customer thought the wall was a goner, but with the right technique, the construction is stable again and the job was painted after plastering was dry.

Learn more about Paintworks & Plastering wall repair or wall straightening services.

Wall and ceiling repair is a constant of our service work in Edinburgh. Many ceiling and wall repair jobs are the result of long-term damage caused by leaks, subsidence or damp.

In this recent job in Portobello (EH15), the ceiling repair job involved cutting back to the ceiling joists, where rotten boards were removed and the whole ceiling was skim coated with finishing plaster, to bring it back to its original smoothness.

This customer had a leak from the roof caused by broken roof tiles. As a result, the plaster became wet and unstable. The water damage from the ceiling also caused the wall to become damaged.

CEILING AND WALL REPAIR (PORTOBELLO, EDINBURGH)
BEFORE

image above: Edinburgh ceiling repair & wall repair to a dormer window caused by water damage- (BEFORE)

CEILING AND WALL REPAIR (PORTOBELLO, EDINBURGH)
AFTER

The damaged plaster was removed and replaced with new plasterboard. The plaster extends across the original brickwork and ceiling joists that were exposed when old plasterboard was removed. The new plastering provides a smooth, breathable and sturdy finish– ready to paint & decorate.

image above: Edinburgh ceiling repair and wall repair (AFTER)

This is fairly easy job for us, with many years of experience in plastering and repairing walls and ceilings. In this quick project we did not provide Decorating. If you would like we can provide a complete package.

Learn more about Paintworks & Plastering ceiling repair, wall straightening or invisible repairs services.

Repairing the hole in your wall service- Edinburgh- Quick and Easy…

Life brings stress and sometimes a punch to the wall. Ouch!

We are seeing a lot of holes popping up in walls around Edinburgh and we are repairing them just as fast. You can attempt to repair the hole in your wall yourself, but if you want a professional job and a clean finish, give us a ring.

Hole wall repairs are fast. We can have the job complete in less than two hours, with an overnight dry and finish up the second day.

Wall repair jobs we undertake in Edinburgh typically involve plasterboard as well as painting. As with all restoration and renovation work, we can get it back to looking like a normal wall in no time.

Related services: Invisible Repairs; Interior Decorating; Wallpaper hanging; Eco Paints

We hope you are all staying safe and keeping well. Just a quick word, if you have a plastering or property renovation project in mind and want to get on our priority list, please contact us and we will put you on our list on a first-come/ first-serve basis.

We are fully open for business. We will take the utmost precaution and social distancing measure for your safety.

Best regards,

Derek

Edinburgh has some of the most beautiful, and the ugliest fireplaces I’ve ever seen. Of course, fireplace removal is entirely subjective. We don’t care how it looks, for us the important thing is doing surgical removal of the fireplace properly, and restore the wall back to a clean finish. Like magic, your fireplace will be gone!

For Fireplace removal service Edinburgh go here

FIREPLACE REMOVAL- JOB IN EDINBURGH WITH BEFORE/AFTER

Fireplace Removal requires a bit of care and actually involves renovation and restoration methods to remove the fireplace correctly. Removing the fireplace is actually the easy bit, the skill and effort come in restoring the space around the fireplace to a seamless transition that avoids any noticeable change or damage from before the fireplace removal.

Paintworks and Plastering receive many fireplace removal projects. Here’s one from a recent Morningside fireplace removal job.

FIREPLACE REMOVAL- MORNINGSIDE

The customer wanted to utilise the wall space. We removed the fireplace, framed the void, fitted plasterboard, and plastered the area. We then had a new Dado Rail run-up to match the existing and made a new box skirting to match the existing. The wall was also papered with lining paper to complete the project.

Image: Fireplace Removal (Before)– the customer wanted this fireplace removed

Next, this Edinburgh fireplace removal job required the skirting and Dado Rail to be removed.

Image: Fireplace removal: Skirting and Dado Rail Removed

Next, we had to recreate the box skirting.

Image: Fireplace removal…Recreating a Box Skirting

Then we framed it, plastered it, and built skirting and a Dado Rail.

Image: Fireplace removal…Framed, Plastered, Dado Rail and Skirting built.

Finally, the fireplace removal was finished! You wouldn’t even know it was there– perfect!

Image: Finished project after the wall was papered with lining paper.

This Morningside fireplace removal homeowner was delighted with the results and the final touches.

Contact us today if you have a fireplace removal job in Edinburgh you would like a quote on.

For Fireplace removal service Edinburgh visit this page

FLOOD DAMAGE RESTORATION ADVICE

Flood or water damage is a nightmare. If you have had it happen you know what we mean. Here are some things to think about regarding water and flood damage restoration in your Edinburgh home or property.

First, you are not alone, owning a home brings the “flood curse”. Statistics show nearly 40% of homeowners have water damage in their homes. Pipes and plumbing are a big cause in the UK. In fact, it is our most common Insurance Work claim– as well as that throughout Edinburgh.

Before you contact us to quote your flood damage repair, here’s what you should do immediately:

1. Turn off your water and electricity. Remove all electrical items if it is safe to do so.

2. Move furniture and electrical items. Letting furniture sit will draw mould and will kill your electronic devices. Put furniture on blocks if you can not remove it.

3. Remove any standing water. Go to B&Q (or any related Edinburgh store) and buy a wet vacuum to remove the excess water. Lingering water can cause further damage so it is important to get that up quickly.

4. Circulate the air and begin drying. Buy a dehumidifier or large fans (you can rent these from various places). To prevent further damage and mould, you need to get the air circulating. Leave the fans on, and call us immediately!

If you are beyond this point and have mould damage, there are a few things you can do about this.

MOULD REMOVAL TIPS FOR FLOOD-DAMAGED PROPERTIES.

We see quite a bit of mould in Edinburgh property restoration and insurance work. Here’s what we can tell you…

1. First, how big is the water damage and mould area? If it is more than 3 metres, don’t bother.

2. How old is the mould and what type is it? Black mould is very dangerous and you should not attempt to clean it without protective gear.

3. Wearing gloves and a protective face mask (buy a proper one if you can or make your own on Youtube). Clean the mould with detergent (strong soap and water). Ventilate the area.

4. Do not paint mould covered walls or surfaces. Make sure the mould is 100% clean and dry before painting. Mould underneath will cause your paint to peel later.

5. Watch out for hidden mould and be careful of mould on valuable items. You might want professional help if you are concerned about either of these flood damage problems.

If your home or area is damp or this mould issue is re-occurring, look at ventilation and building better ventilation in the offending area. Moisture and humidity can cause build-up of bacteria and viruses and cause long term health issues that make flood damage seem like the last of your problems.

Note: Most water and flood damage will be covered by your insurance, so check with them first. Pipes and plumbing are covered by home insurance as they are very common causes of water and flood damage.

Flood damage repair jobs that we typically take on include ceiling, floor, and wall repair. Ceilings and floors are important to repair first because they can cause sagging and collapsing later on. In repairing your ceiling or floor, we want to find the root cause of the damage and get that repaired. This might involve a plumber. We can refer you to a trusted tradesmen, or you can have your own fix the source of the water damage problem.

As with all our insurance work jobs in Edinburgh, we will assess the extent of the flood and water damage, give you information and options, and provide a quote for the appropriate flood damage restoration or repair. We can provide full plastering and painting & decorating as needed per job.

Suggested services: Ceiling repair Edinburgh; Wall and Ceiling repair (plasterboard); Interior Decorating

Fire damage is a nasty business. Fear not, fire damage restoration in Edinburgh is one of our specialties. Edinburgh has a history of fire damage (and smoke damage from Auld Reekie), but remember we have a bonnie city because fire damage is restorable!

Our goal at Paintworks & Plastering with fire damage restoration is to help you quickly reverse the damage caused by fire and smoke and get you back to normal living.

In this post, we will cover some of the key aspects of fire damage restoration and provide some advice for handling fire damage to your Edinburgh property. While flood is a more common insurance claim for homeowners, unfortunately, fire damage constitutes about a quarter of all insurance claims. In other words, fire damage is more common than you think. Even smoke damage and electrical appliances can make a mess.

Note: Fire damage restoration is largely handled by Insurance work. Contact your insurance provider, if you haven’t already. You can put them directly in touch with us.

There are a few things you can do and should be aware of…to begin with let’s talk about clean up and repair of fire damage.

CLEANING UP FIRE DAMAGE- A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

1. Turn off electricity, that should be obvious but we have to state it.

2. Be careful with moving around the fire damage space. You might spread smoke or soot contamination and cause unforeseen damage elsewhere.

3. Place towels on walkways to walk through burnt fire damaged areas.

4. Do not try to wash walls or painted surfaces, you may cause more damage than the fire caused itself. However, if the smoke damage is not too serious you can scrub it off with detergent and/or bleach. Start with a small area and see if it takes. If you are not sure, contact us for an opinon.

5. Do not try to clean electrical fixtures that might be soot or fire damaged. Soot tends to be greasy. If the smoke and soot damage is not too serious, first dust off as much as possible,then attempt to clean it as with walls and painted surfaces.

6. Make sure all surfaces are clean and dry before attempting to repaint the fire damaged area.

Fire damage is caused mainly by kitchen fires (chip pans are the biggest offender) and electrical wiring malfunctions. It is important to make sure that you address any weakness in your electrical system and then change any risky behaviors. A qualified electrician is needed for assessing electrical faults. If you are in a period property in Edinburgh and this has not been done since you moved in, you may want to do that immediately. We can refer you to a qualified ‘sparky’ if needed.

Regarding risky behaviors, if you fry a lot of chips, try using a safe fryer (thermostat controlled electric deep fryer) instead of an open pan with oil. Also, many Edinburgh hardware shops sell fire extinguishers. Investing in one may be wise. Get an ABF Fire Extinguisher- they are designed specifically for chip fires. In the absence of one, take a deep breath and calmy smother the fire with a wet towel or large wet cloth.

Remember, fire damage is treatable and reversible. Smoke, soot and water damage (caused by putting out the fire) typically cause disruptions that if left, can add stress to your life and recovery time. We can help with fire damage restoration. We have helped many Edinburgh families get back to normal after fire damage and we are confident we can help you too. We also help businesses recover quickly from fire damage insurance claims.

If you have suffered fire damage in Edinburgh or West Lothian, contact us and we can come out and provide a competitive quote for renovating and rejuvenating your property back to the way it was. Fire damage is a nightmare, but it is restorable and fixable.

Suggested services: Ceiling repair Edinburgh; Wall and Ceiling repair (plasterboard); Interior Decorating

I’ve been working as a plasterer in Edinburgh for over 15 years. I’m time served with over 25 years experience as a plasterer. One of the most common aspects of plastering work is traditional lime plastering. Because I do a lot of period property renovation in Edinburgh, I see incredible results with traditional lime plastering. I also find evidence of an ancient lime plastering technique– horsehair plastering– more on that below.

FIRST, THE BENEFITS OF TRADITIONAL LIME PLASTERING

Lime plaster is used as a binding material, and works well in repair and restoration work. It’s one of my common jobs in restoring an old home in Edinburgh and West Lothian where I work. Here are the main benefits of lime plastering:

• Lime plaster is less affected by water and will not soften or dissolve like drywall and earthen or gypsum plaster. Unlike gypsum or clay plaster, lime plaster is sufficiently durable and resistant to the elements to be used for exterior plastering.
• Lime plaster sets up to a solid mass that is durable yet relatively flexible. Hydraulic lime plaster is not as hard as cement plaster. Non-hydraulic limes and historic limes were graded as feeble, moderate and eminent.
• The elevated pH of the lime in the plaster acts as a fungicide; preventing mold from growing in lime plaster.
• Compared to cement plaster, plaster made from hydrated lime is less brittle and less prone to cracking, requiring no expansion joints. It will not detach from the wall when subjected to shear stress due to expansion inflicted by solar radiation and moisture. Unlike cement plaster, it will shield softer materials from shear stresses.

Source:Wikipedia

If you look into this, traditional lime plastering has a long history of use. These benefits above hold up. As a technique, it dates back 8,000 years to the Ancient Egyptians, Aztecs and ancient Jordan.

COMMON IN EDINBURGH’S TRADITIONAL LIME PLASTERING…HORSEHAIR!

While working on traditional lime plastering jobs in Edinburgh and West Lothian, I find quite a few homes still showing the use of horeshair plastering. Tufts of horse’s hair is mixed into the lime plastering, for texture and insulation as well as to give the wall a unique aesthetic.

I find some interesting things often when restoring a period home or property! Recently while doing traditional lime plastering, I have been finding quantities of horsehair plaster in the walls around Edinburgh, including in Stockbridge and Morningside.

In Edinburgh, and throughout Scotland and the UK, this traditional lime plastering practice ended in the 1950’s. It involved using horsehair to reinforce and create texture while reducing working time.

Horsehair plastering was part of the traditional lime plastering work. If you have a horesehair plaster wall, you might want to retain it. According to this site, these are the benefits of keeping it and restoring or repairing the wall vs. lime plastering:

• The look of horsehair plaster walls is very hard to be copied using drywall.
• Homes with horsehair plaster walls tend to be worth a lot more than homes with drywall.
• Horsehair plaster walls have a historical value as well. They’re a piece of history.
• Because of the density of horsehair plaster walls, they’re much more soundproof than drywall.
• Plaster is much more fire-resistant than drywall, making it a much safer choice.
• Horsehair plaster walls are also much more insulated than drywall. This will keep both the heat and the cool inside your home better. In return, you might even save on your monthly electricity bills.
• Horsehair plaster walls are much more contour than drywall. Creating curves and custom-designed arches are much more comfortable with horsehair plaster.

Rennovation and conservation of your Edinburgh property is important. It is important it is done well. Sadly the younger generation of plasterers are not skilled in traditional lime plastering and may not recognize the historic value of horsehair plastering use.

In Edinburgh we have a lot of experience with rennovating historic properties. It is important on historic property rennovation to repair any damage first, then traditional lime plastering can begin.

Best regards,

Derek

The topic of this post is finding a good plasterer in Edinburgh!

“It’s really hard to find a good plasterer these days”. How many times have you heard this?

Plastering requires skill but it requires a lot more to hire a great plasterer. I asked my customers throughout Edinburgh and West Lothian to describe what was important to them and why they chose Paintworks & Plastering. Here are the qualities they described and my comments based on what is important to me having been in the industry for nearly three decades.

1. Competitive rate- Our rates are no-nonsense. Starting in 2020, we will match any quote on plastering or property restoration in Edinburgh.

2. Prompt- We will get back to you quickly and work quickly.

3. Works efficiently- With over 25 years of experience, not guesswork on the job.

4. Polite- Your home is your private space, and you deserve manners from any good Edinburgh plasterer.

5. High standard of work- Certified and experienced with hundreds of jobs and thousands of hours. No cutting corners.

6. Quality product- We treat your job like it is our own home, high quality at affordable rates.

7. Suggest what is reasonable- No need to do something that is not required, or to add additional expense. You need choices, and we give them to you. That’s a sign of a good plasterer!

8. Trustworthy- Trust is the foundation of our agreement. You can count on a high degree of trust.

9. Dependable- We will do as we say and communicate with you all along.

10. Tidy up- Keeping your space clean and clear, and leaving it as we found it.

11. Good communicator- Good plasterers are good at Communication, quoting, the job itself, and overall customer service.

12. Good reputation- Our business is based on your referrals and recommendations.

13. Professional- How problems or questions are handled, how you feel, and how satisfied you are with our performance.

14. Perfectionist- Every detail is taken into account. We aim not to be a good plasterer, but impeccable plasterer.

15. On-time finish- We strive to finish each job on time and have a 95% success rate.

16. High standard of customer service- Your experience matters to us. We want you to be happy at all times.

17. Satisfied customers- You get what you wanted, on budget and on time, and had a good experience working with us. Please check our Google reviews.

18. Satisfaction Guarantee- We offer a 100% guarantee you will be satisfied.

I am humbled to be held to this list of traits of a good plasterer. In Edinburgh, there is no excuse for shoddy work or an untidy plasterer. If you have not had an experience that satisfied you, maybe you need to find a new plasterer.

Phone us for a friendly chat and see if we can help you with your goals. I hope to be that good plasterer you find in Edinburgh

Best regards,

Derek

Owner, Paintworks and Plastering