Need help - wall plastering disintegrating.

[MariGold]

Dear All,

I have my own house which I purchased from a person about 2 years ago and have been living in it since then (the house is about 4yrs old).

Some time after occupying the house, I find that in the bottom portion of the certain walls (few inches above the floor), the putty seems to be bulging and falling off. I am able to view the cement plastering in these walls. This is not only seen in the outside walls of the restroom but also in the main hall where there is no water source which could cause this.

About a year ago, I tried to chip off the plaster of one of the walls in the hall and applied birla white cement (putty) to smoothen the wall surface. It was fine for some time but now I find that the entire white cement plate which I had applied is separating itself form the wall and I am where I was 2 years ago.

Requesting you expertise in fixing this issue.

I have attached the pics of the walls that I have referred above.

[parkom]

Marigold, do you know what kind of sand was used in the plastering of these walls?

[jult]

This problem is due to efflorescence . this due to water quality used in the construction is not potable. so remove the plaster the affected area . and do Gypsm plaster in the particular area dont use POP) it is not having engineering property. Do a sample and absorb for 30 days. ( some time the mortar joint also having same problem).

[ardesarchitects]

Hi Mari gold,
Do you find any moisture on the wall surface (touching the bare plastering or wall )?you said chipping plaster and used birla putty to smooth , but birla putty is not meant for plastering fill.I can see in pictures your plastering is all fine but the putty giving away ,this happens because of moisture in most cases.

Regards
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior Designers
ardesarchitects@gmail.com
www.ardesarchitects.com

[MariGold]

Marigold, do you know what kind of sand was used in the plastering of these walls?

Hi parkom,

No. We purchased this house (when it was about 2yrs old) hence don't have any info of the same.

[MariGold]

Thanks A lot jult and ardesarchitects for your valuable feedback.

I'll try using Gypsm to fill in the cracks and smoothen the surface. I guess gypsum lets the walls to breath and hence the walls will remain intact and that this property is not found in POP.

As I plan to do the above-mentioned work myself and I have not used Gypsm before, is there some precaution that I need to take care?. I guess, i need to make a thick paste of the Gypsum using water and apply it on to the surface. The reason I am asking this is that I shouldnt miss some thing which is obvious to may in the field (though not obvious to me).

Thanks & Regards.

[jult]

Dont apply over the plaster remove the plaster completely till the brick and inspect the surface . found any white batches in the brick or blockwork . Do your self. chipping and cleaning inspection . apply Diluted Hcl ( it should be professionally done) and clean with lot of potable water then apply Gypsum . the procedure should be followed religiously. while applying gypsum it will set quickly it is not like pop. so get a good worker and do . next place you can try your self without worker.