Transformation of a rough wall into a smooth surface

Plastering is an ancient craft that transforms raw walls into smooth and aesthetically pleasing surfaces. Although this task may seem like a simple job, proper plastering requires skill, patience, experience, and, of course, adherence to several key steps. It is the alchemy of mixing dry ingredients with water, turning a powdery substance into a malleable mass that later hardens, protecting the masonry from external influences and simultaneously giving it a finished appearance. The first and most important step is preparing the substrate. The wall onto which the plaster will be applied must be solid, dry, and free from all impurities, dust, grease, and loose particles. Any imperfections in the substrate could later show up on the final surface of the plaster in the form of cracks, peeling, or even irregularities. In the case of absorbent substrates, such as bricks or aerated concrete, it is necessary to thoroughly dampen the wall to prevent too rapid water absorption from the plaster mixture, which could...