Recurring Cracks
Old houses settle and move with the seasons. We separate cosmetic cracks from structural ones, then reinforce with 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 Pros 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.
Lath and plaster is a wall system of thin wood strips (lath) covered in two or three coats of hand-applied plaster that locks behind the strips. It is harder, quieter and more fire resistant than drywall, and most of the time it is worth saving.
We stabilise first, repair with setting compounds that actually bond to old plaster, and only board over when a wall truly cannot be saved.
- 20+ years
- 2,500+ jobs
- Licensed, insured, WSIB
20+ years of drywall
in Eastern Ontario
in Eastern Ontario
Service overview
Our Lath and Plaster Repair Services
Plaster repair is stabilising, patching and refinishing original plaster walls and ceilings so they are sound and smooth without being torn out. We repair cracks, loose and bulging sections, holes, water damage and failed old repairs.
It suits owners of pre-1940 homes, buyers renovating a century house, and landlords with older rental stock. Our plaster work includes:
- Sounding every surface by tapping and pressing to find loose areas
- Re-anchoring loose plaster to the lath with plaster washers and adhesive
- Crack repair with fibreglass mesh and setting compound
- Rebuilding holes in plaster or with a shimmed drywall infill
- Bonding primer and skim coats for a flat, paintable surface
- Careful removal and reinstatement of original trim where needed
Local knowledge
Why Kingston Has So Much Plaster
Kingston has an unusually large stock of pre-1940 homes, concentrated downtown, in Sydenham Ward and in the streets around Queen's University. Almost all of them were finished in lath and plaster, and many still are.
Parts of Sydenham Ward and Barriefield are heritage conservation districts, which protects the buildings and keeps owners repairing original fabric rather than gutting it.
Free written quotes with the finish level spelled out.
Common problems
Plaster Problems in Older Kingston Homes
Old plaster fails in six recognisable ways, and the cause decides the repair.
Loose and Bulging Plaster
When the keys that lock plaster behind the lath break, plaster bulges and sounds hollow. It has to be re-anchored before any cosmetic work.
Water Damaged Ceilings
Plaster softens and crumbles when wet. We remove damaged material back to sound plaster, seal the stain and rebuild; see 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 flush.
Failed Drywall-Mud Repairs
Premixed drywall compound shrinks and does not bond well to old plaster, so earlier repairs crack around their edges. We cut them out and redo them in setting compound.
Wiring and Plumbing Channels
Replacing knob-and-tube wiring leaves long channels through the plaster. We close them so the wall looks untouched.
Repair options
Three Ways to Fix a Plaster Wall
The right repair depends on how much of the plaster is still keyed to the lath. We sound the wall before recommending any of these.
Stabilise and Repair in Place
Best when most plaster is sound. Plaster washers pull loose areas tight, and cracks and holes are filled with setting compound, keeping the original wall.
Skim Coat Over the Plaster
Best for sound plaster with a rough or patchy surface. A bonding primer goes on first, then skim coats restore a flat, modern finish.
Board Over With Drywall
Best when the plaster is beyond saving. Thin board adds depth at door and window trim, usually meaning extension jambs or reset casings, and we price that honestly.
How it works
How Our Plaster Repair Process Works
A plaster repair runs in five steps, and stabilising always comes before anything cosmetic.
- 1
Sound the Surface
We tap and press across the wall or ceiling to map hollow, loose and sound areas.
- 2
Stabilise
Loose plaster is re-anchored to the lath with plaster washers and, where needed, injected adhesive.
- 3
Cut Back and Rebuild
Crumbling material is removed to a solid edge and rebuilt in setting compound or a shimmed infill.
- 4
Bond and Skim
A bonding primer goes over the old plaster, then skim coats bring the surface flat.
- 5
Sand, Prime and Reinstate
The wall is sanded, primed and any removed trim goes back exactly where it came from.
Send us a few photos for a faster estimate.
Heritage details
Keeping the Character While Fixing the Wall
We protect original details by removing trim carefully, labelling every piece and reinstalling it after the repair. Original mouldings stay, plaster arches and curved walls are rebuilt by hand, and finished wall thickness is matched at door reveals.
Damaged plaster cornices and ceiling medallions are handled by our plaster crown moulding repair service.
Setting expectations
Why Plaster Repair Costs More Than Drywall Repair
Plaster repair costs more because it is slower: it needs setting compounds and bonding agents rather than premix, several thin coats, and careful work around fragile surfaces.
Opening an old wall can also reveal hidden cracks, loose lath or earlier bad repairs. We explain that risk before starting and agree how any extra work will be priced.
Pricing
How Much Does Plaster Repair Cost in Kingston?
Plaster work is priced by the size of the repair, and 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 is still keyed to the lath, it can be re-anchored, patched and skimmed.
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, 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, so for walls in fair shape repair is often cheaper.
Does old plaster contain asbestos or horsehair?
Horsehair was a common binder in older plaster and is harmless. Some plaster and texture coats from certain periods can contain asbestos, so we recommend testing before major demolition.
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 City of Kingston heritage staff whether your work needs a heritage permit first.
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 is best assessed in person. Book a visit and we will sound the walls, explain your options and give you a written quote.
- 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