skim out of date

paul127

My plaster started skiming inside my house yesterday,he has told me the skim is nearly past it's shelf life & he is having problems with it going off (it takes to long to dry) my question is does skim have a shelf life and how long from date of manafacture should it last ? Thanks.

moonshadow

Gypsum skim coat is actually summer and winter based,dries slower in summer,quicker in winter......so he is probably right.

mickdw

It has a date and gets impossible to work with as it nears that date. I would return this stuff unless its down to yourself having left it hanging around for too long.
Bag stuff should only be taken to site as required really.

Builderfromhell

IMHO if it's getting a bit old it ios more difficult to use but plaster finish will be the same.
It's awkward for the plasterer but no loss to you.

Poor Uncle Tom

+ 1
The plasterer will find it much harder to work with, but the finish should be the same. If hardwall is worked right you can get a 'glass' finish from it, but it does take a lot of working and you will be charged more for it.

mickdw

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

If hardwall is worked right you can get a 'glass' finish from it, but it does take a lot of working and you will be charged more for it.

Some people say it should be left a little bit 'open' but certainly I dont settle for anything but the polished surface.

tred

For starters you cant return skimcoat to a provider for this reason, incase one is returning and out of date batch. Id straight away contact your provider, ask them to send out a new batch, as the plasterer is unable to work with it, and take back the rest. There just pulling a fast one , getting rid of some old stuff on you id say. How many bags did you order?

clint_eastman

This is off topic i know so apologies but is skim related. My skimming is starting this week, is the cold weather (say 0 degrees) going to cause any trouble?

tred

clint_eastman wrote: »

This is off topic i know so apologies but is skim related. My skimming is starting this week, is the cold weather (say 0 degrees) going to cause any trouble?

What my plasterer told me was to be wary, of leaving windows open at night. Moisture would gather near the window reveals, and freeze and this could cause the skim to turn floury he said, unusual , but happens. They wont skim it, if there is a risk. Mine is drying out fine, even with this cold. . just finished last friday..

PaleRider

Hi

It may be that with this weather the skimcoat is not setting due to it freezing. If the house is not heated, hire a gas blow heater, close the windows keep the house warm until the plaster is dry/set. Windows can be left on vent mode. but be aware of the plaster not setting due to freezing. Watch out that the plaster that suffered from freezing, may come lose. I could be wrong also. But builders are just getting used to the freezing conditions. It may be that at the moment this weather is not suitable for building work. Hope this is of some help.

Regards

Buford T Justice

Out of date plaster can crack and shrink when it dries. this was done in my house, and it had to be scraped off and re-plastered. Not pretty.