LEARNING OUTCOME SUMMARY

LEARNING OUTCOME #2 PLASTERING WITH CEMENT FINISH

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
1. Limits of plastering are determined to establish required thickness,
plumbness, squareness, levelness and alignment of structure
2. Plastering wall is performed according to job requirements
3. Distribution of mortar/coating is applied on the wall surface evenly
4. Work site is cleaned and kept in safe state in accordance with
OHSA regulations

CONTENTS:
Plastering with cement finish

CONDITIONS:
The students/trainees must be provided with the following:

1. WORKPLACE LOCATION 3. CBLM

2. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT 4. Borrower’s Slip
Claw Hammer 5. Requisition Slip
Pencil / Marking Pen 6. Bond Paper
Pull-Push Rule 7. Ball pen
Nylon String 8. PPE
Steel Square Safety Helmet
Try- Square Safety Goggles
Hand Saw Safety Gloves
Chalk Line Working Clothes
Safety Shoes
Equipment
Air Compressor
9. Blueprint/working drawing
10. Materials

METHODOLOGIES:
 Lecture
 Demonstration
  On-the-Job
 Dual training
 Project-based instruction
ASSESSMENT METHOD:

 Written Examination
 Demonstration of practical skills

LEARNING EXPERIENCES

LEARNING OUTCOME #2: Perform Plastering Work

Learning Activities Special Instructions
Read Information Sheet 2.1-1 After reading, answer the self-check 2.1-1
accordingly
on
Perform Plastering Work
Answer self- check 2.1-1 Refer your answer to self-check 2.1-1.
You are required to get all answers
correctly. If not, read your information
sheet again. If you answer all questions
correctly you are ready to proceed to the
next activity

INFORMATION SHEET NO. 2.1-1

 PLASTERING WITH CEMENT FINISH

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Upon completing this section, you should be able to PERFORM the

PROCEDURES in PLASTERING with CEMENT FINISH

Plastering with cement finish is used in wall, column, beams which are
important part in construction of homes and buildings, thus a good plastering
is important. Plastering requires the preparation of tools and materials. In this
information sheet you can how to plaster with cement finish.

PLASTER WITH CEMENT FINISHED

Plastering is a process of applying one or more coats of mortar to a

concrete surface, brickwork, stone masonry or lathing. It must be durable such
that it resists the penetration of moisture and should be able to weather
uniformly. It should also be pleasing in appearance. These properties depend
upon materials used, composition of mix, and degree of mechanical bond
between the plaster and the backing surface and workmanship.

QUALITY ASSURANCE For CEMENT PLASTERING

Surface preparation: The joint shall be raked to a depth of 15 mm for

brickwork and 20 mm for stonework. For new work, where subsequantant
plastering is to be done, the raking of joints shall be done during the progress
of the work, when the mortar is still green. Dust or mortar powder (loose
mortar) shall be washed out. The whole surface shall be thoroughly cleaned
and brushing and scrapping shall remove efflorescence, if any.
The surface thoroughly washed with water, cleaned and kept vet for the
day previous and up to the time start the work is started, and shall be kept
very damp during the progress of the plastering

Bonding: Cement mortar has two types of bonds with its backing one being
mechanical in which the mortar squeezes into the irregularities and gets
interlocked when hardened and other due to the adhesive property of Portland
cement on hardening. The degree of bond will therefore depend on the
roughness of surface to be treated and the quality of cement and sand used in
preparation of mortar.

Concrete surface: All monolithic concrete walls should be roughened by

hacking at close intervals with bush hammers or with a chisel and hammer
and then washed thoroughly with water to remove all dirt and loose particles.
Monolithic concrete can be roughened with a heavy wire brush or a special
scouring tool if forms are removed early.

Forms for concrete, that is to receive plaster, should not be given

excessive mould oil coating. as it is likely to remain on the concrete, interfering
with the bond. Special care must be taken to remove the mould oil coating
before plaster is applied. Curing compound if used should also be removed
completely before commencing the plasterwork.

Brick and stone masonry: There are excellent bases for direct application of
cement plaster. The surface should be hard, rough and clean. The joints
should be racked. It may be desirable to roughen with a pick or a similar sharp
tool if the surface of stone is too smooth.

Tools for plastering: Following tools are used for plastering, Gauging trowel,
floats, floating rule, plumb bob, straight edge, bushes, set square, sprit level,
scratcher, plumb rules etc.

Material: Sand cement mortar of specified mix shall be used.

Mortar: Cement mixed with fine aggregate should produce smooth, plastic,
cohesive, strong and workable mortar. Cement plaster shall unless otherwise
specified, to be the following proportion and thicknesses. The mortar of
specified mix shall be used.

Situation Mix Thickness

Ordinary buildings 1:6 13 mm

Important buildings 1:4 13 mm

Drain, skirting, 1:3 13 mm for drains, 19 mm for skirting

and dados
dados, etc.
 Septic tanks, reservoirs etc 1:2 19 mm

Cement: At present 33 grade and high grade cement such as 43 grade and 53
grade are being used. These are essentially recommended for use in concrete. It
is also used in masonry and plastering work.

Fine aggregate: Sand must be clean, sharp, suitably graded, and free from all
deleterious and impure matter. Deleterious materials beyond a certain limit
adversely affect the hardening, strength, durability or the appearance of the
plaster or causes corrosion of metal lathing or other metal in contact with
plaster.

Grading of Sand: Most suitable particle size grading of sand plasterwork for
internal and external walls and ceiling is given below:

IS Sieve % passing

10.0 mm 100

4.75 mm 95-100

2.36 mm 95-100

1.18 mm 90-100

600 micron 80-100

300 micron 20-65

150 micron 00-50

Water: used in plasterwork should be of quality suitable for drinking purpose.

It should be free from chlorides and organic impurities. Water proofing
compound: Generally, they are not required specially if correct type and quality
of other materials of mortar are available. Where it is used, it should disperse
uniformly and mixed properly in mortar. Workability admixtures: Plasticizers
can be used in warm or hot weather condition as desired with field
requirements.

Scaffolding: It is always advisable to provide double scaffolding for plastering

work. It is easier to fix and remove at various heights without damaging the
masonry or plaster. Mixing of ingredients of plaster: It is preferable to mix the
ingredients in a mixer. Dry mortar is mixed initially and thereafter water is
added to the dry mix to get the required consistency. It is observed that excess
mortar is often prepared and not utilized in time. The workers even break for
lunch leaving the wet mixed mortar to dry out. Water is again added resulting
in lower strength and more shrinkage problem.
The quantity of the mortar made at a time should be such that it can be
consumed within 30 minutes. Any mortar that falls to the ground in the
process of application, it is thrown away and on no account re used. If excess
mortar is prepared it dries up either due to evaporation of water or due to
water absorption by sand and / or due to water consumed by cement
hydration. Addition of water should be carefully monitored and should be
added in such a quantity that it gives the required workability

Application of plaster: The walls shall be prepared as above and rendered

with a mortar of cement and fine sand in specified proportions. At suitable
intervals, 15 cm x 15 cm mortar squares to full thickness of base coat shall be
first laid to serve as a guide to ensure a plane, smooth layer of plaster over the
entire surface of the wall.

The mortar shall be dashed against the surface to be plastered with

considerable forced, and shall be thoroughly worked into all joints and other
surface depressions, to ensure a permanent bond. The plaster surface will be
roughened and not beaten.

Ceiling plaster shall be completed before commencement of the wall

plastering. Plastering shall be started from the top and worked down, filling all
putlog holes in advance of the plastering as the scaffolding is being taken
down.

COATS FOR PLASTERING

1. Scratch coat: The thickness of this coat should approximately 10 mm to

12.5 mm and must be laid over the full length of the wall or the natural
breaking points like doors and windows.

2. Base coat (In case of thick plaster): The surface of scratch coat should
be dampened evenly before base coat is applied. This coat is about 10
mm thick depending upon the overall thickness and then roughened
with a wooden float to provide bond for the finishing coat. The second
 coat must be dampcured for at least seven days and then allowed to
become dry.

3. Finishing coat: Before this coat is applied, the base cat is dampened
evenly. Joints should be avoided and the finishing coat should be applied
in one operation with thickness not exceeding 6 mm.

4. External Plaster: The external plaster is made in richer cement mortar

proportion than the internal plaster. It is usually done in two layers.
First layer is of 10 to 12.5 mm and final layer is of 6mm thickness.
Waterproofing compound may be added in case the plaster is exposed to
severe wet conditions. The finish can be of the type specified.

5. Internal Plaster: The internal plaster is usually done in single layers of

12.5 mm.

6. Finish: The plaster shall be finished to a true and plumb surface and to
the required degree of smoothness. The work shall be tested frequently
as it precedes with a true straight edge not less than 2.5 m long and with
plumb bobs. All horizontal surfaces shall be tested with a level and all
jambs and corners with plumb bob as the work proceeds.

7. Plaster finishes: There are four different types of finishes that can be
obtained with cement plaster.

8. Smooth finish: When a smooth finish is desired, the minimum amount

of working should be applied to the wetted surface and the wooden float,
rather than a steel trowel is to be used.

9. Roughcast finish: This finish suitable for rural or coastal areas and the
sever conditions of exposure. This is a finish, which is splashed on to the
surface as a wet mix and left rough. The maximum sizes of sand,
crushed stone or gravel vary from 12.5 mm to 6.3 mm.

10. Pebbledash finish: This is most durable of all finishes and is

generally free from defects. This gives a rough texture and is obtained by
means of small pebbles or crushed stone, graded from 12.5 mm to 6.3
mm being splashed on to a fresh coat of mortar and left exposed. This
 pebbles or stones are some times lightly pressed or tapped in to the
mortar.

11. Textured finishes: Textured finishes are now becoming very

popular and may be obtained in a variety of ways in many different
designs. Special effects can be obtained by scraping the surface of the
rendering with a straight edge hacksaw blade or with the edge of a steel
trowel.

12. Curing: Curing shall be started 24 hours after finishing the

plaster. The plaster shall be kept wet for 7 days during which period it
shall be suitably protected from all damages at the contractor’s expenses
by such means as the Engineer may approve. The dates of plaster shall
be legibly marked on the various sections of the wall so that curing for
the specified period thereafter can be watched.

DEFECTS IN PLASTERING

 Cracks: Appear on the plastered surface in the form of hair cracks or

wider cracks. Its due to old surface is not properly dressed, bad
workman ship, and due to expansion and shrinkage in plaster coat
during drying

 Efflorescence: Some time soluble salts are present in plaster making

materials or bricks. They appear on the plastered surface in whitish
patches and produced ugly appearance. It may remove by brushing and
washing the surface several times.

 Blistering of plastered surface: Small patches swell out beyond the

plastered surface like boils

 Falling out of plaster: Due to excessive thermal variation in plaster,

Inadequate bonding between coats of plaster, and due to imperfect
adhesion of the plaster to the back ground.

 Discoloration: The usual causes of discoloration in plaster are to

variation in the cement and water content of mortar from place to place,
 uneven suction of the backing and un-uniform curing and inadequate
mixing of the material resulting in lack of uniformity.

SELF- CHECK 2.1-1

Check your mastery in personal protective equipment at work by answering the
statements below.

MULTIPLE CHOICES: Read the statement carefully. Choose the letter of the
correct answer. Write the letter of your choice on the space provided. Write
your answer in CAPITAL LETTER.
1. What do you call of a process of applying one or more coats of mortar to a
concrete surface?
A. Cement C. Plastering
B. Masonry D. Cement Finish
2. What are the two types of bonds of Cement mortar?
A. being mechanical in which the mortar squeezes into the irregularities
B. gets interlocked when hardened
C. Only A
D. A and B
3. What are the tools needed for plastering?
A. gauging, trowel, floating rule, plumb bob
B. shovel, wheel barrow, trowel
C. straight edge, bushes, set square sprit level
D. A and B
4. What are the defects in plastering?
A. Cracks
B. Efflorescence
C. Falling out of plaster
D. All of the above
5. It appears when it due to old surface and is not properly dressed, bad
workmanship.
A. Crack C. Blistering
B. Efflorescence D. Discoloration
 ANSWER KEY 2.1-1

Check your answer with the answer key below. If you fail to get it right,
refer back to corresponding resources until you make it perfect.
1. C
2. D
3. D
4. D
5. A

Reference: