If you’ve just had some plastering work done around your home or property, then one of the first questions that you’ll probably want answered is: how long does plaster take to dry out?
The drying time of plaster depends on many factors, including the room temperature, how well ventilated the area is and the thickness of plaster applied. Whilst plaster can take just a few hours to start to set, allowing it to dry out fully can take much longer.
In this handy guide, we look at the drying times you can expect for different types of plaster, what affects plaster drying time and how to tell when plaster is dry.
How Long Does Plaster Take To Dry Out?
Depending on the job, fresh plaster will take around 2–7 days to dry out completely. There are factors that can affect this, however, such as environmental conditions and the type of plaster used on your walls.
Skim plaster will dry faster than thick backing coats. Cooler temperatures and poor ventilation can also prolong the drying time of plaster.
Freshly applied plaster is darker in colour. As it begins to dry out, it will turn a light pink shade. Once plaster is dry it will have an even colour all over.
Plaster drying times
So, just how long does plaster take to dry out? As a general guide, here are average drying times for different types of plaster:
Average Drying Time
- Multi-Finish Plaster – 2–7 days
- Bonding Plaster – 4–6 days
- Browning Plaster – 4–7 days
- Hardwall Plaster – 4–7 days
- One Coat Plaster – 5–7 days
- Sand & Cement Render – 2–3 weeks
- Backing Plaster – Up to 4 weeks
Please note that environmental factors can affect these times.
What Affects Plaster Drying Time?
There are some things that affect how long it takes plaster to dry:
Temperature
Plaster will dry faster in warm conditions. However, too much heat can cause cracking or cause the plaster to dry unevenly.
Try to keep the room at a constant temperature if possible.
Ventilation
Good ventilation allows moisture to evaporate naturally. Keep windows open where possible to improve ventilation.
If an area is poorly ventilated, drying time can be significantly longer.
Thickness Of Application
Another factor that will affect drying time is how thick the plaster is applied. Thicker plaster will take longer to dry than skim coats.
Backing coats and render will take longer to dry than other types of plaster.
Humidity
If the humidity levels are high, drying will take longer. Moisture in the air will prevent plaster from drying out fully.
Plaster may take longer to dry during colder seasons or rainy days.
How Do You Quickly Dry Plaster?
If you are wanting to try and speed up the drying time, there are some steps that you can take:
- Keep your windows open where possible
- Use background heating, but not overly hot temperatures
- Keep air flowing around the room
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air
Do not try to speed up the process using intense or direct sources of heat.
Signs Plaster Is Dry
The quickest way to tell if plaster is dry is by its colour.
When plaster is first applied to walls it will appear dark brown or terracotta coloured. As it begins to dry out, it will change to a light pink colour.
Once your plaster is dry it should be an even colour all over. There should be no darker patches on the walls. When the plaster reaches this stage it is usually ready to be painted.
Get A Professional Plastering Job
Here at Corinium Plastering we offer professional plastering services to domestic and commercial customers. Whether you’re looking for skimming services, plaster repairs, full room plastering or sand and cement render, we can help.
Our team provides smooth, quality plaster finishes that are built to last. If you have any questions about plaster drying times, or you would like a free quote for your plastering job, contact us today.