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Drywall of RI

Plaster

Plaster Repair & Restoration

Rhode Island is full of older homes, and older homes mean plaster. We repair and restore traditional lath-and-plaster and horsehair plaster walls and ceilings — the kind of work that takes a patient hand and an eye for matching what's already there. Whether you've got hairline cracks, a sagging ceiling, or a wall that needs a fresh skim-coat to come back smooth, we make old plaster look right again without tearing your house apart.

Get a Free Estimate Call (401) 280-4222

Call (401) 280-4222 · free written estimate

Restored plaster wall with soft finish in an older Rhode Island home

What's included

  • Lath & plaster repair
  • Horsehair plaster restoration
  • Skim-coat resurfacing for walls and ceilings
  • Crack and settling repair
  • Sagging or failing ceiling repair
  • Plaster-to-drywall transitions and patching
  • Water-damaged plaster repair
  • Color and texture matching for historic homes
  • Dust containment & daily clean-up

How long does plaster repair take?

A small crack or patch repair is often a day or two on site, with dry time between coats. Skim-coating a room or repairing a sagging ceiling runs longer depending on how much prep the lath and substrate need.

We give you a written timeline with the estimate so you know when each phase starts and ends.

Repair vs. skim-coat — when does each make sense?

Localized cracks, holes, and failed spots get targeted repair — stabilize the lath, patch, and blend. When walls are sound but wavy, stained, or covered in old texture, a full skim-coat flattens the surface without tearing out good plaster. Sagging ceilings we assess on site; sometimes re-securing the lath is enough, sometimes a section needs rebuilding.

Our process

  1. On-site walk-through and written estimate
  2. Floor protection and dust containment before any work
  3. Stabilize lath, patch, skim, and finish to match existing plaster
  4. Prime so we can spot anything before paint
  5. Final clean and walk-through with you

FAQ

Common questions.

Can you repair horsehair plaster without tearing it out?

In most cases, yes. We stabilize loose areas, patch with compatible materials, and skim where needed so the repair blends with the original horsehair plaster rather than replacing whole walls.

What's a skim-coat, and when do you recommend one?

A skim-coat is a thin layer of joint compound or plaster skimmed over the entire surface to flatten waves, cracks, and old texture. We recommend it when walls are sound but uneven — common in older Rhode Island homes before paint.

How do you match plaster texture in historic homes?

We sample the existing finish, match the mix and technique, and blend a wider area than the patch itself so raking light doesn't reveal a seam — especially important on Federal Hill, East Side, and other older neighborhoods.

Do you handle sagging or water-damaged plaster ceilings?

Yes — once the leak is fixed and the lath is dry. We re-secure or replace failed sections, rebuild the plaster, and finish smooth so the ceiling reads flat again without a full tear-out when the structure behind is sound.

Related services

Drywall →Painting →Service area →

Related guides

Plaster Repair in Older Rhode Island Homes →Drywall After Water Damage: Repair vs Replace →Coastal Salt Air: Drywall and Paint That Hold Up in Rhode Island →

Ready for a clear estimate on your Rhode Island project?

Tell us about the drywall, plaster, carpentry, or painting work — we'll walk the space, talk through the plan, and give you a written estimate. No pressure.

Get a Free Estimate Call (401) 280-4222