Internal Plastering in Southport
Skimming, float and set, ceilings and repairs — flat, straight walls you can run a hand across and decorate over without a fight.
Internal Plastering in Southport
Internal plastering is the work that decides how every other trade's job looks. A wall that is genuinely flat takes paint evenly, holds a straight line where it meets the skirting, and does not throw shadows across itself every time the light changes.
We skim over sound existing plaster, float and set walls back to bare brick, board and skim ceilings, and put right the patch repairs left behind when a chimney breast comes out or a wall gets chased for cables. Whole houses, single rooms and single walls.
Skimming, or float and set — which one you need
Skimming is a thin finish coat over a surface that is already sound and reasonably flat — old plaster in decent condition, or new plasterboard. It is quick, it is clean, and on the right wall it gives a perfect finish.
Float and set is the two-stage job: a base coat that straightens and levels the wall, then the finish coat over it. That is what a wall needs when the plaster is blown, when it has been hacked off back to brick, or when it is so far out of true that a skim would just follow the bumps.
Plenty of quotes skim a wall that needed floating because it is faster and cheaper to price. It looks fine for a fortnight and then every hollow shows through the paint. We will tell you which one your walls actually need.
Ceilings, cornice and period detail
Ceilings are the least forgiving surface in the house because they are lit from below at a raking angle, so every imperfection casts a shadow. Old lath and plaster ceilings that have started to bow or crack are usually best overboarded and skimmed rather than patched indefinitely.
In the older property round here there is usually cornice, picture rail or a ceiling rose to work around, and that changes the job. Detail gets protected and worked up to cleanly rather than buried under a skim — losing a original cornice under three millimetres of finish is not a repair, it is damage.
Living in it while it is being done
Most of our internal work is in occupied houses, so the practical stuff matters. Floors get sheeted, doorways get taped off, furniture gets moved and covered rather than shoved to one side, and the room is swept and cleared down each day rather than at the end of the week.
Fresh plaster wants air and time. A skimmed room typically takes several days to go from pink to fully dry, longer in winter or in a room with little airflow, and it needs to be properly dry before you paint. Rushing a mist coat onto damp plaster is the most common reason new paint peels.
When to consider internal plastering
- Walls that show every bump and hollow once the light hits them
- Plaster that sounds hollow, is cracked, or comes away when paper is stripped
- Artex ceilings you want flat and modern rather than textured
- Patching after a chimney breast, stud wall or old doorway is removed
- New chases and boxing after a rewire or new heating pipework
- A ceiling that has started to sag, crack or drop dust
Our work — internal plastering
Questions we get asked about internal plastering
How long before I can paint new plaster?
Give it time to go from dark pink to a consistent pale, even colour all over — often four to seven days for a skimmed room in normal conditions, longer in winter or on a floated wall. Then a watered-down mist coat first. Painting too early is what makes fresh emulsion peel off in sheets.
Can you plaster over artex?
Usually yes. If the artex is sound and not too heavily patterned it can be sealed and skimmed flat. Heavy swirls and peaks may need knocking back first. Artex from before the 2000s can contain asbestos, so we do not sand or scrape it — it is skimmed over, or tested first if there is any doubt.
Do I need to move out while you plaster?
Very rarely. Most jobs run room by room in an occupied house. It is dusty and damp while it dries, so a full house done at once is easier if you can be elsewhere, but a room or two at a time is normal and we work around you.
How much mess does plastering make?
Less than people expect if it is set up properly. Skimming is relatively clean. Hacking off old plaster is genuinely dirty and dusty work, so floors and doorways get sheeted and taped, waste is bagged as we go, and everything is swept down daily.
Can you plaster one wall to match the rest of the room?
Yes, and it is a common job after a stud wall or chimney breast comes out. Getting the new wall flush and flat with the old ones is the skill in it. Where the existing walls are badly out of true, skimming the whole room gives a noticeably better result.
Do you do small jobs and repairs?
Yes. Patch repairs, single walls, ceilings after a leak, making good after a rewire — we would rather do a small job properly than turn it away. You still get a written price before we start.
What customers say
4.7 out of 5 from 12 reviews on Google. Every review below is verbatim from that profile.
Anthony's just finished skimming the lounge. He prepared it all thoroughly and was so conscientious throughout. He arrived punctual in the mornings and never stopped until it was finished. He's done a brilliant job the room looks immaculate. He left it so clean and tidy afterwards. We would recommend him to anyone.
Anthony has done a fantastic job on our rendering. Excellent communication from start to finish and has always been responsive. He has turned up every day early and has left the place spotless. Couldn't fault the service and would use again and recommend to others. Thank you so much.
Anthony rendered the gable wall and single storey kitchen of my house. He did an excellent job of the work. Anthony fully explained the process and where he was up to as it progressed. He made sure that surrounding area and walls were protected from any debris or render during the process and did an excellent job of cleaning up both as it progressed and at the end. Anthony was also a pleasure to deal with as a tradesman. In addition his price was really competitive compared to other renderers who quoted. When I get the rest of the house re-rendered I will certainly be using Birkdale Plastering and Rendering.
I recently had the front of my house rendered by birkdale plastering and rendering, and couldn't be happier with the results. From start to finish Anthony was professional, friendly and highly skilled. The quality of the rendering is outstanding, giving my home a fresh, modern look. Anthony paid great attention to detail, kept everything tidy and completed the job on time. If you're looking for expert rendering services I highly recommend birkdale plastering and rendering. Fantastic workmanship and excellent customer service. Thank you Anthony!
Anthony did an amazing job re-rendering our bungalow. The finish is flawless, and our home looks brand new! Professional, tidy, and efficient from start to finish. Highly recommend Birkdale Plastering and Rendering. Thanks again!
Anthony is prompt, professional and friendly in nature. He arrived when he said he would and completed all plastering work to an excellent standard. He also did an amazing job with my coving. I would 100% recommend him for all plastering work 😊 ...
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Read moreGet a free written estimate
Tell us what the walls are doing and we will come and look. You will get an honest assessment and a written price, with no obligation and no pressure.
Get in touch
Tell us what the walls are doing and we will come and look. Free written estimate, no obligation.
- Phone 07923 545449
- Email anthony9thompson@yahoo.co.uk
- Address 2 Sheepfold Cl., Southport PR8 6RL
- Opening hours Every day, 7am – 8pm