Cracks That Keep Coming Back
Old houses settle and move with the seasons. We tell cosmetic cracks from structural ones, then reinforce with fibreglass mesh and setting compound so they stay closed.
Plaster repair in Kingston, ON
Lath and Plaster Repair in Kingston Heritage Homes
Kingston is a plaster city, and Kingston Drywall repairs lath and plaster walls and ceilings in its older homes. We work for homeowners, landlords and renovators in the limestone core, Sydenham Ward, Portsmouth Village and century homes across the region.
Over more than 20 years we have learned where plaster fails and how to save it. We stabilise first, repair with setting compounds that bond to old plaster, and only board over when a wall truly cannot be saved.
Our crew is licensed, insured and WSIB covered. We protect original floors and trim, and we tell you up front what opening an old wall might reveal.
- 20+ years
- 2,500+ jobs
- Licensed, insured, WSIB
20+ years of drywall
in Eastern Ontario
in Eastern Ontario
Local knowledge
Kingston Has More Plaster Than Most Ontario Cities
Downtown Kingston, Sydenham Ward and the streets around Queen's University are packed with pre-1940 houses. Most were finished with hand-applied plaster over wood lath, and many still have it.
That plaster is usually worth keeping. It is harder, quieter and more fire resistant than drywall, and it carries the character of the house.
Most drywall companies treat plaster as a nuisance to be torn out. We treat it as a material with its own rules.
Common problems
Plaster Problems in Older Kingston Homes
Loose and Bulging Plaster Pulling Off the Lath
When the keys that lock plaster to lath break, the plaster bulges and sounds hollow. We re-anchor it with plaster washers and adhesive before any cosmetic work.
Water Damaged and Stained Plaster Ceilings
Plaster softens and crumbles when wet. We remove damaged material back to sound plaster, seal the stain and rebuild. More on water damage drywall repair.
Holes and Missing Sections
Small holes are rebuilt in plaster. Larger missing sections get a drywall infill shimmed to the exact plaster depth, then skimmed so the two surfaces become one.
Failed Previous Repairs in Drywall Compound
Premixed drywall mud shrinks and does not bond well to old plaster, so earlier repairs crack around the edges. We cut them out and redo them with setting compound.
Damage After Electrical and Plumbing Upgrades
Replacing knob-and-tube wiring in a century home leaves long channels through the plaster. We close them up so the wall looks untouched.
Free written quotes with the finish level spelled out.
Options
Three Ways to Fix a Plaster Wall, and How We Choose
The right repair depends on how much of the plaster is still sound. We sound the wall by tapping and pressing before we recommend anything.
Stabilise and Repair in Place
For plaster that is mostly sound. Plaster washers pull loose areas back to the lath, and cracks and holes are filled with setting compound. The original wall stays.
Skim Coat Over the Existing Plaster
For sound plaster with a rough, cracked or patched surface. A bonding primer goes on first, then skim coats restore a flat, modern surface while keeping the original wall.
Board Over With Drywall
For plaster beyond saving. Thin board over the old wall adds depth at door and window trim, which usually means extension jambs or resetting casings. We price that honestly.
Heritage details
Keeping the Character While Fixing the Wall
Heritage homeowners care about the details as much as the wall. We remove original baseboards and casings carefully, label them and reinstall them after the repair.
We preserve original mouldings, rebuild plaster arches and curved walls by hand, and match the finished wall thickness at door reveals so trim sits exactly as it did.
Damaged plaster cornices and medallions are handled by our plaster crown moulding repair service.
Setting expectations
Plaster Versus Drywall, Why the Repair Costs More
Plaster repair is slower than drywall work. It needs setting compounds and bonding agents rather than premix, several thin coats, and careful work around fragile old surfaces.
Opening an old wall often reveals more than expected: hidden cracks, loose lath or old repairs. We explain that risk before we start and agree how any extra work will be priced.
Knowing this before the quote arrives saves everyone from sticker shock.
Send us a few photos for a faster estimate.
Pricing
Plaster Repair Costs in Kingston
Plaster work is banded by the size of the repair. Every quote notes the risk of hidden damage once the surface is opened.
| Repair band | Typical scope | Reveal risk |
|---|---|---|
| Crack repair | Cracks routed, reinforced and finished | Low |
| Section repair | Loose plaster re-anchored, holes rebuilt | Moderate |
| Full wall or ceiling | Skim coat or board over an entire surface | Moderate to high |
FAQ
Plaster Repair FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear on site visits every week.
Can lath and plaster be repaired or does it all have to come out?
Most lath and plaster can be repaired. As long as the majority of it is still keyed to the lath, we can re-anchor, patch and skim it. Full removal is only needed when most of the surface has let go.
Why do my plaster cracks keep returning?
Usually because they were filled with premixed drywall mud or caulk, which cannot handle movement. Cracks need to be opened up, reinforced with mesh and filled with setting compound.
Is it cheaper to drywall over plaster than repair it?
Sometimes, for badly damaged rooms. But boarding over adds depth at every door and window, and trim changes add cost. For walls in reasonable shape, repair is often cheaper and keeps the original character.
Can you make a plaster wall perfectly flat?
We can make it flat and smooth with skim coats. Some older walls have gentle waves in the framing itself, and we will point those out, since flattening them fully would mean reframing.
Does old plaster contain asbestos or horsehair?
Horsehair was common in older plaster and is harmless. Some plaster and textured finishes from certain periods can contain asbestos, so we recommend testing before major demolition in older homes.
Do you work on designated heritage properties?
Yes, we repair plaster in older and heritage homes. If your property is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, check with the City of Kingston heritage planning staff about whether your work needs a heritage permit before we start.
Related services and areas
Related Services and Heritage Towns
Plaster work often sits alongside drywall taping and finishing for skim coats and ceiling repair for sagging ceilings.
Outside Kingston we repair plaster in the century homes of Brockville and the village streets of Gananoque.
Free written quote Prefer to talk it through? Call us (343) 504-7975
Get a Plaster Repair Assessment
Plaster work is best assessed in person. Book a visit and we will sound the walls, explain your options and give you a written quote.
Send photos first if you would like a sense of scope before we come out.
- Hours
- Mon to Sat: 7:00am to 9:30pm
- Sun: 9:00am to 8:00pm
- Service area
- Kingston and towns within about 45 minutes, plus larger projects further afield.
- Licensed
- Fully insured
- WSIB covered
- WHMIS trained
- Working at Heights trained
- Drywall specialists