This was a domestic repair commenced just before Christmas 2025 where pipe work in a 1970’s domestic dwelling had leaked on a joint; because the pipe work had been bedded into a sand / cement mix over a channel cut into breeze blocks which restricted movement and over the passage of time caused a soldered copper joint to leak, damaging wall and ceiling plaster, along with the fibrous plaster cornice in the ceiling to wall joint.
We were called in to investigate and recommend remedial action, which was to remove damp wall and ceiling plaster so the leaking joint could be repaired then put together a realistic reinstatement strategy so the room could be handed back for use before the festive period when the room would be required.
The water damaged cornice was removed, and a sample of it taken back to the work shop so a matching reverse mould could be made by Whitechapel Art Plaster Co Ltd which could be used to produce and exact bespoke fibrous plaster cast ready to be fixed when plastering was complete.
We were able to match the ceiling with materials similar to the original build using plaster board and a board finish setting coat brought to a smooth skim finish ready for decoration.The original wall plaster was a gypsum solid premix which would have take too long to dry, preventing the room being be handed back for decoration; so a pre-mix renovation plaster was used, with a ratio of 6 perlite aggregate, to 1 lime, and 1 cement binding matrix, with fibres incorporated into the mix to reduce cracking, and a salt retarder also incorporated to prevent migration of salts through to decorative surfaces as the structure continued to dry.
The bespoke fibrous plaster cornice was set in place as soon as the solid plaster and setting coats had been applied, giving a seamless match: then a decorator followed on after an initial short drying period, which was only possible because of the use of the renovation plaster.
The room was handed back matched cleared and decorated, so it could be used as required. This was all done over 2 to 3 working weeks including inspection, investigation, remediation, reinstatement and decoration throughout over which time Whitechapel Art Plaster Co Ltd provided protection to floor coverings and access routes, removal of debris, and a clean up of working areas on completion of our activities.
This is where we at Whitechapel Art Plaster Co Ltd are able to deliver; by having control over the manufacture of bespoke items, to divest ourselves and our clients of unnecessary waiting times and having surveyors and supply chain access which allows us to problem solve and achieve our aims so our clients the quality of service and delivery that we aspire to at Whitechapel Art Plaster Co Ltd.