Plaster Repairs, Artex Removal and Finishing in Houghton-Le-Spring

Yes, in most cases. We cut the damaged area back to a sound edge, fill it and feather the new plaster into the old surface. If the wall is failing in several places we will tell you honestly whether a full skim works out better value.

Tap the wall gently. Sound plaster gives a solid note, while blown plaster sounds hollow because it has come away from the wall behind. Bulging, cracking around the hollow area or plaster that moves when pressed are other giveaways. It is worth repairing promptly before the loose section spreads or falls.

First the cause has to be identified, whether that is a leak, failed pointing, condensation or rising damp, because treating the symptom alone never lasts. Once the source is resolved we remove the damp-damaged plaster, treat the wall and refinish it with materials appropriate for the background. You get a wall that stays dry, not just one that looks dry for a few months.

Yes, Artex removal is one of our core services. Depending on the coating we either strip it or cover it with a fresh, flat finish. Artex applied before the mid-1980s can contain asbestos, so if your home is older we recommend having the coating tested before it is disturbed, and we will point you in the right direction.

Often, yes. If the Artex is sound and asbestos-free, a levelling coat and skim over the top is usually quicker and cheaper than full removal. We look at the ceiling first and quote you for the route that gets a flat finish at the sensible price.

Yes. We patch damaged areas and match the texture and profile to the existing finish so the repair blends in rather than standing out. We also apply new pebble-dash and Tyrolean where you want the traditional look across a whole elevation.

Small patch repairs are among the cheapest jobs we do, while damp treatment or a full ceiling takes more time and materials. Every job is priced individually with a free written quote after we have seen the damage, so you know the cost before we start.

Most patch repairs are completed within a day, including preparation. The repair then needs to dry before you decorate over it, typically several days depending on its depth and the conditions in the room. Larger damp or ceiling jobs get a clear timescale in the quote.

Not if it is done properly. We feather the edges of every repair into the surrounding surface, and where a wall catches strong light we may recommend skimming the full wall so there is no visible join at all. The aim is a repair you would struggle to point to.

Yes. We cover a 20-mile radius from our base in Houghton-Le-Spring, which includes Peterlee, Seaham, Consett, Sunderland, Durham, Washington, Chester-Le-Street, Hetton-le-Hole and Newcastle upon Tyne. Give us a call if you are unsure whether we reach you.

Many terraces around Houghton-Le-Spring and Hetton-le-Hole were built in the colliery era with solid walls and no cavity, so they rely on breathable materials and sound external surfaces to stay dry. Failed pointing, hard cement patches or blocked vents often let moisture in. We deal with the affected plaster and use suitable materials when refinishing, so the wall can behave the way it was built to.

We are fully insured for domestic and commercial work, and our exterior rendering carries a 10-year guarantee. Repair and finishing work is carried out to the same standard our reputation is built on, and we put everything in writing before we start.