The smooth, flawless walls in your home didn’t happen by accident. Careful planning and sequencing go into construction to achieve the perfect finished product. When it comes to plastering and plumbing, timing is everything. There’s a reason plumbers arrive after the plasterers have worked their magic.
Plastering provides an ideal base for plumbing components to be installed flawlessly. It also protects delicate wall surfaces from damage while still curing. As a contractor with over 10 years of experience in residential construction, I’ve learned the hard way what happens when plumbers jump the gun. Don’t risk cracked plaster, leaks, and moisture issues down the road. Trust the process and sequence the trades appropriately.
In this article, we’ll explore the method behind the madness. I’ll share four compelling reasons why plumbing always follows plastering on the construction timeline. Whether you’re embarking on a remodel or new build, this insight will help avoid unnecessary headaches. Let’s dive in!
Plastering Provides a Stable Base for Plumbing
When it comes to plumbing, having a smooth, consistent wall surface is key. Newly plastered walls provide just that – an ideal backdrop for running pipes, cutting holes, and installing fixtures.
Here are some of the benefits of plastering before bringing in the plumbing:
- Seals the wall surface – Plaster leaves walls flawlessly smooth and sealed with no gaps or cracks for pipes to bump into.
- Prevents future cracks – With plaster as a base, you won’t get cracks forming around pipes down the road as the house settles. The plaster seals everything in place.
- Allows clean openings – Precise, clean holes can be cut into cured plaster walls for pipe openings. No dealing with ragged edges of framing.
- Pipes lie flush – On a flat plaster wall, plumbing pipes and fittings will lie flush against the surface for a cleaner finish.
- Consistent backing – Plaster provides a uniform subsurface behind tiles and fixtures for a neat finished look.
I’ve seen the difference a plastered wall makes firsthand. Jobs go quicker and have a more professional end result. Taking the extra time to plaster first provides long-term benefits in quality and function. Just make sure to coordinate scheduling so the plaster has ample drying time before plumbing begins.
Plastering Prevents Moisture Damage
Plaster and plumbing don’t always mix when it comes to moisture. Freshly plastered walls are still drying out and curing when plumbers arrive on site. This timing means leaks or condensation can wreak havoc on new plaster. That’s why plastering has to come first.
Here’s how finishing the plastering prevents major moisture issues:
- New plaster is vulnerable as it is still delicate and prone to cracking and damage from excess moisture while curing.
- Plumbing leaks happen frequently even from small pipes, valves, or fittings which introduce water into the walls.
- Temperature differentials cause condensation to form on pipes that can penetrate into the walls.
- Once fully dried and cured, plaster provides a water-resistant barrier to protect the walls.
- With the plaster’s protective coating, any moisture from plumbing will only affect the surface, not the underlying wall integrity.
Proper timing is crucial – prioritizing plastering first allows it to completely cure, then calling in plumbers after ensures leaks won’t cause preventable damage. Don’t let moisture issues ruin timelines or finished results.
Plumbing Installation Can Damage New Plaster
Plumbing installation is a messy, invasive process that can wreak havoc on freshly plastered walls. From drilling and cutting to bumps and spills, plumbers have to take care to avoid damaging new plaster.
Here are some ways plumbing work can damage plaster:
- Cutting holes for pipes and fixtures cracks or chips the plaster if not fully cured.
- Pushing pipes into the walls applies force that can dent the plaster surface.
- Plumbers working in tight spaces can accidentally bump walls with tools.
- Excess plaster dust and debris created during installation needs cleaning before painting.
- Water damage from leaks coming into contact with new plaster before it fully cures.
The ideal sequence is to complete all rough and finish plumbing prior to plastering the walls. This prevents the new smooth walls from getting damaged during the messy installation process. Then after plumbing, plasterers can perfectly prep the surfaces.
Proper planning of the construction schedule allows each stage – plumbing, plastering, painting – to be completed without interfering with other trades. Follow this sequence for professional quality results.
Sequence of Construction
Proper sequencing of the trades is crucial for efficient construction and quality results. With plastering and plumbing, the ideal order is:
- Rough plumbing installation comes first. This includes the main water lines, drain pipes, vent stacks – the basic underground and in-wall plumbing.
- Next, walls are plastered once framing is complete. Smooth, flawless plaster surfaces are achieved.
- A drying period is allotted in the schedule to allow the plaster to fully cure.
- Finish plumbing is then completed by the plumbers. This includes fixtures, faucets, trim, and details.
- Painting the walls is usually the final step after plaster and plumbing are 100% complete.
Following this sequence avoids situations where plumbers are trying to work around wet plaster or causing damage to freshly plastered surfaces.
Proper planning and coordination between the trades is key. Allowing enough overlapping time in the construction schedule makes for an efficient process from start to finish.
Conclusion
In summary, there are compelling reasons why plumbing work occurs after plastering in the construction timeline.
- Plastering first provides a smooth, stable base for the pipes and fixtures to be installed into.
- It allows the plaster to fully cure and dry before the wet work of plumbing begins.
- This prevents moisture issues from plumbing damaging the new plaster walls.
- Completed plaster also avoids dents, cracks, and other installation damage.
- Following this sequence results in walls that are pristine for painting after the plumbers finish.
- Proper planning and coordination between the trades makes the process go smoothly.
By understanding the methodology behind the order of operations, you can ensure your plastering and plumbing are done right the first time. A little extra care taken in scheduling upfront prevents expensive redos and repairs later on. The end result will be flawless, professional quality walls that stand the test of time.
