How to Repair Plaster Molding

Toronto Residence

Plaster molding can add elegant, old-world charm to any residence. The charm quickly fades, however, when you begin to have problems with your plaster molding. Toronto is filled with homes that make use of ornamental molding to add texture and class, but some of these homes and buildings are decades, even centuries old. It stands to reason, then, that after years of wear and tear, a lot of older plaster molding is beginning to wear down, crack, break, and otherwise beg for repairs.

Nothing spoils a beautiful interior design like ruined plaster molding. Toronto has plenty of home repair shops, though, so don’t fret! It is possible to repair your plaster molding if you do enough research and have a great guide like this one to walk you through the steps. Using plaster molding, or less expensive polyurethane molding, your aesthetic can be saved.

read more...

First Thing First: Assess the Damage

You wouldn’t want to replace all of your plaster molding if only a section is damaged, so take a walk around your home and assess where the damage resides. If only one section in one room is due for repairs, then your job will be a cake walk. If you need to replace the entire plaster molding, Toronto’s community of repair shops welcomes your business! When molding is damaged in larger sections, it is often easier to replace all of the molding instead of attempting to patch it. Generally, a damaged section that is longer than a foot would probably fare better with full molding replacement.

Next, the Fix

You will need to make a template out of Mylar to match the existing molding’s profile. Mylar, a thick plastic, will need to be attached to a wood frame to keep it from being so flimsy. You may need to use a profile gauge to copy the profile to Mylar, then cut the profile shape out from the Mylar using a jig saw. Fill the damaged section with plaster, adding fragments of steel mesh to support and strengthen the plaster. Drag your newly created Mylar template across the surface of the plaster to create a profile that matches the surrounding moldings. Without destroying the profile, carefully use a sponge to wipe down your repaired plaster molding. Toronto hardware stores can help you find the proper equipment for this process if you do not already own it.

Finishing Touches

Once you have completed the job, you still have to add some finishing touches to make your newly repaired plaster molding complete. After the molding has fully dried, you will need to leave it to sit overnight; then, you can start the beautification process. Using sand paper, carefully finish and shape the molding. Fine-grade sand paper works best for these types of projects. Finally, paint your plaster molding the same shade as the surrounding plaster molding.

If repairing your own plaster molding sounds a bit much for you, consider hiring a plaster molding company in Toronto to get the job done. When you hire a professional, you can rely on their expertise and meticulous craftsmanship, so you’re far more likely to be happy with the results.