Technically, you can drywall over plaster, but it isn't the best idea. If you can afford the expense, removing the plaster wall entirely before installing drywall is much better.
In most circumstances, plaster should not be replaced with drywall because it is considered a superior grade material. The only exception is if you're already tearing down walls to replace plumbing and electrical equipment. It makes sensible to replace with drywall in that circumstance.
It's perfectly fine to go over plaster with drywall. I've done it several times on jobs in the past. It cuts down on labor and demo charges to the customer. Plus, you finish much faster. Good luck.
We renovated an older house. Short answer, if you intend to stay there a long time, it is worth it to remove all the plaster and lathe, down to the framing, in the entire houe. You do not know what (shoddy) framing and modifications are there, and it will make the insulation, wiring, and plumbing sooo much easier.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a regulated or realistic way to ensure that all older buildings using plaster walls were asbestos-free. Asbestos was commonly added to plaster until the late 1980s, as it was seen as an inexpensive way to add to the plaster's insulation and fire-retardant properties.
Reproductive problems, high blood pressure, nerve disorders and concentration problems have all been linked to lead poisoning. Most American homes containing traditional plaster were built before World War II, meaning they are candidates for lead-based paint.
The Consumer Product Safety Act of 1972 banned asbestos in artificial fireplace embers and wall patching compounds. The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 says the EPA can restrict substances including asbestos.
The cost of professional plaster wall removal and replacement with drywall typically ranges from $1.60 to $3.80 per square foot. You'll also need to factor in the costs of materials and disposal, which vary by location.
Plaster doesn't come with an expiration date. You might hear “15-20 years” thrown around as a lifespan, but that's a very broad estimate. In reality, how long your plaster lasts will depend on a number of factors: The original quality of the plastering job – A poorly done job won't last as long as expert work.
The benefits of drywall, including its lower cost, ease of installation and resilience, were finally recognized by the home trades during the war years and the post-war home boom. Today, plastering is a specialty trade, and it can be difficult to find skilled workers.
The Easy Way to Dispose of Drywall and Plaster: Rent a Dumpster. If you have a significant amount of drywall or plaster to dispose of, renting a dumpster is the most efficient and eco-friendly solution.
Drywall panels became popular in the mid-20th century as a more accessible and cheaper alternative to plaster and have remained popular in modern construction. They are standard in cold areas because the spaces behind the panels can accommodate insulation.
Although asbestos can be found in horsehair plaster, most of the time horsehair plaster doesn't contain asbestos. In fact, many professionals say that if the plaster on your walls has a lack of dark horse hair fibres, there's a good chance the plaster may be contaminated with asbestos.
Plasterboard was simply faster and less expensive to install. But while the technique has slowly died away, it has not been lost forever as there is still a strong demand for lath and plaster in renovation and conservation work.
Increase the Home's Durability
One swing of a hammer that is just a little too hard, and the drywall can easily get a new hole. Plaster dries to a very hard finish that is difficult to damage. This makes the home more durable and reduces how much maintenance homeowners must do – which always increases the value.
The first step in determining if your plaster needs replacing is to look for signs of deterioration. Some common indicators include cracks, bulging or sagging walls, and water damage. These issues can stem from a variety of factors, such as moisture, settling foundations, or simply old age.
Plaster became popular because it is a durable, fire-resistant finish that muffles sound. Plaster is an important part of your house or building's historic character.
Cracking, bulging, or uneven surfaces, poor adhesion, mould and moisture, an unappealing appearance, insufficient strength, and a poor finish are just some of the problems that can arise from sloppy wall plastering.
As plaster ages, it weakens and can break or crumble, releasing dangerous asbestos particles into the air.
Replacing old plaster walls with drywall during a remodel is a detailed process that requires careful planning and execution. However, the effort is well worth it, as the result is a modernized, aesthetically pleasing, and highly functional living space.
Lath and plaster walls are often load bearing. But an easy check is the direction of the joists in the roof or floor above. If they cross the wall, it will at least help to support them. But in any case, best to get a structural engineer in to advise.
Asbestos is no longer added to popcorn ceilings because it's a known health risk. The chances of your ceiling containing asbestos are low for any installations in the late 1980s or after. Newly constructed ceilings don't use asbestos.
The only way to be sure whether a material contains asbestos is to have it tested by a qualified laboratory. EPA only recommends testing suspect materials if they are damaged (fraying, crumbling) or if you are planning a renovation that would disturb the suspect material.
Some Chinese drywall manufactured between 2001 and 2009 has been found to contain high levels of sulfur and other chemicals that can emit strong, unpleasant odors and cause damage to electrical wiring and other metal components. However, modern Chinese drywall should not contain asbestos at this point.