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Plastering
Help - plasterer skimmed all rooms with easi-filler
I chose a Ltd company whose quote was the highest thinking I would not have any issues if I went with them. Based on their glowing reviews it now appears they are more of a painter/decorator company. So far they have been very courteous & not asked for any money upfront. However they skimmed my whole house with a paperthin coat of easifiller 60 & the plaster boards are showing through. I initially thought ok this is maybe just prep work with PVA/Primer or just a 1st coat. To my disbelief, they told me this was the finished product & invoice is due. I was expecting the usual brown-coloured skimming (Multi-finish?) ready for my painter to paint. Also they have not used corner beading on windows stating they will just sand it down. In fact they now tell me that all the walls/ceiling with the paper-thin white coat of easy-filler will need to be fully sanded down with a machine before painting?!
Online forums suggests easi-filler is the wrong product but my worker is absolutely convinced it is the best premium product to use. He mentioned it is very popular in Europe & that England should really adopt this approach. He sent me photos, offered to show me his finished work (after painting) in other jobs that he has done & sent me Canadian YouTube videos on Drywall Installation. I questioned why British Gypsum are advertising easi-filler as part of their repair range to which he remarked it is a marketing ploy. He said if it can be used for patchworking pb or for joints etc then why can't it be used on the entire wall or pb?
I asked for benefits/advantages on his so-called technique to which he replied: It's more flexible & lighter than multi-finish due to thinner layer, you get a smoother soft painted finish, less chance of condensation/mold as more breathable, less chance of cracking especially on ceilings/stairs. He also mentioned mist coat may help multi-finish not to crack but is the wrong way as primer should be used.
He is very passionate & confident in his dry-lining work that he has offered to guarantee his work in writing (signed/dated). He also suggested I allow him to fully complete the smallest bedroom i.e sand down, prime & paint on top of the easy-filler skimming they have done to show me how amazing 'dry-lining' is!
他还评论说,他不是一个mind reader & I should have explicitly stated I wanted multi-finish but I think that comment is unfair because as a novice / non-professional, I was under the impression skimming meant the brown coloured wet plaster. It is the 1st time I have ever seen anything like this! Apart from that comment I would like to think we have a good working relationship. He has given me some time to think about where to go from here & come to a resolution.
I really don't know what to do. I am feeling so confused, is it going to be a case of Iphone vs Samsung, jam or cream first on a scone type of debate :) or am I truly being conned? Any expert advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
10 Answers from MyBuilder Plasterers
Best Answer
I have never approved easy filler for use in large areas. Yes it is fine, works fine but is for small sections. Even when used between drywall’s and applied several times after being painted, the joint can be seen at a certain angle and light. I wonder why and most of all how the wall or ceiling will be applied evenly, as with a multi finish - easy filler dries faster. And even sanding with machine , even with dust catches, this substance dust is so light that it is always carried throughout the house.
I have many years in construction and I do not know the faster, easier and quality (depends on the experience of the master) way to make walls and ceilings ready for painting. I certainly know of countries in Europe where the multi-finish breakthroughs than other products and market itself.
Answered 13th Jan 2020
Easy filler is great is probably one of the best fillers you can use as it says its easy to apply .. is just a good quality filler similar to poly filler .. used a lot by decorators and dry lining,
Difficult to say if they have ripped you off but for sure its far cheaper and quicker than plaster skimming (primarily that's the reason its used instead of plaster) for me the benefits he stated are a load of rubbish.
A lot of decorators will run at the prospect of sanding down every wall its a terribly dusty job and a problem you wouldn't get with a plaster skim..
depending on what contract you signed I would withhold payment and insist they rub it all down and mist coat it then make good any imperfections... if you payed the plastering rate that's the least you should expect...
Make sure you snag the job before handing over any CASH! circle any imperfections you see with a pencil and make sure they make good until your happy with the finish.
No reason why the end job shouldn't be perfect but its not fair on you if you expected a skimmed wall - we are not in the USA we are in Britain a skimmed wall will mean Plaster skim not easy filler unless you state differently.. they are wrong in my opinion you should stand your ground!
Answered 13th Jan 2020
hi as a plasterer easi fill would not have been for skimming pva walls with high suction surface and multi finish should be used board fin can go directly on plaster boards.
i have seen easi fill used for dry linning and filling holes but never for full skimming job
skim beading is essential as creates perfect corners to trowel to
i recommend a full reskim.
Answered 13th Jan 2020
Easy fill is perfect for tape - jointing and yes should have use corner beads miss-coat is perfectly fine
Answered 13th Jan 2020
The clue is in the name with easi FILL! Reading through your question I get the impression you was expecting a full reskim. With 2 coats of plaster you wouldn't be able to see the boards and the finish will be spot on. Angle beads are a must!
Next time you are having some work done that you are not too sure about, ask the tradesman to give you a brief gameplan to ensure all parties are on the same page.
Answered 13th Jan 2020
Hi easyfill is used to make good any holes or small repairs. For large areas 2 coat multi finish should be used this will give you that smooth flat finish ready for painting that you was looking for.
Hope you get this sorted
Answered 16th Jan 2020
Hi
Its true that its very popular in Europe, and there's a lot more choice of material in Europe than in the uk.
First of all you should do all the joints between the boards with the use of mesh tape(as the material likes to suck it self in during drying,thats why you see the gaps), so they're more even. And then you apply 2 more coats to reach level 4 out 5 (in Europe it classifies in levels from 1 to 5, you can Google it)which is great already. You will have to sand it down with 240 grade paper machine and it will be spotless.
Regards Conrad Glazik
Answered 25th Nov 2021
Yeah to me he should of skimmed all the boards easy fill is ok but never in big areas like walls and ceilings he should of used plaster to make the joints stronger easy fill will crack over time because it’s too fine
Answered 13th Jan 2020
你好,我之前公司的泥水匠tapers and jointers for 10yrs,
The recommendation should be, and would be Multifinish.
Easifill is great for small areas and patch work.
Answered 16th Jan 2020
You are absolutely correct that Skimming involves a coat/coats of plaster, this being multi-finish, board-finish depending on the background. Dry -lining is a completely different finish and is done as a cheaper alternative to full plastering and in no way should of been the highest of your quotes.
Corner beads should always be used in any instance where a external corner is formed.
I do not believe that there are any benefits re moisture, condensation, mold etc.
我将回到原来的工作岗位,看看the job wording, if it states skimming and plastering then yes I would state you are being conned by a decorator charging a premium for lower rate job.
Answered 13th Jan 2020
