If the plaster on your internal walls in Stone is flaking, powdery, blistering or crumbling, it’s usually a sign that moisture or salts are affecting the wall beneath the surface. Even if the damage looks cosmetic, it often indicates an underlying issue such as penetrating damp, historic contamination, or gypsum plaster failing in a damp environment.
At Weather Wise Solutions Limited, we investigate and repair failing plaster across Staffordshire, helping homeowners understand the root cause so the problem doesn’t return.
🧱 Why Plaster Breaks Down
Plaster only remains stable when it is dry and applied to a suitable substrate.
Once moisture or salts get into the wall behind it, the plaster begins to fail — no matter how many times it is painted over.
The most common causes in Stone homes include:
1️⃣ Hygroscopic Salts in the Masonry
When walls have previously been damp — from rising damp, leaking gutters, chimney contamination or old water ingress — salts build up within the wall.
These salts:
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attract moisture from the air
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create a powdery surface
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cause bubbling paint
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lead to continuous flaking
Even if the wall feels dry, salt contamination keeps the plaster unstable.
2️⃣ Moisture Trapped Behind the Plaster
If moisture sits behind gypsum plaster, the bond between the wall and plaster weakens.
This leads to:
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hollow-sounding areas
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blistering
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flaking
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crumbling when touched
Common reasons include:
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plaster applied before a wall was dry
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gypsum used where a salt-resistant system was needed
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moisture from penetrating damp
3️⃣ Penetrating Damp
Rainwater from outside can track through:
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porous or spalling brickwork
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cracked render
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defective pointing
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leaking gutters or downpipes
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failed sills or window seals
This moisture migrates internally and breaks down the plaster surface.
4️⃣ Gypsum Plaster Failure in Damp Conditions
Standard gypsum plaster is not suitable for damp-prone walls.
When applied to:
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basement walls
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chimney breasts
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old salt-laden masonry
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cold or wet external walls
…it deteriorates quickly and becomes powdery.
5️⃣ Historic Damp Contamination
Even if the original damp source has been fixed, plaster may still fail years later if the contaminated material was never removed or replaced with a salt-resistant system.
🧰 How Weather Wise Diagnose Flaking & Powdery Plaster
Our CPD-qualified damp specialists carry out a structured investigation, which includes:
✔ Moisture Mapping
Identifying active damp or fluctuations behind the plaster.
✔ Salt Testing
Confirming hygroscopic salts such as chlorides or nitrates.
✔ External Inspection
Checking brickwork, pointing, render and gutters for defects.
✔ Thermal Imaging
Spotting cold areas where moisture may be condensing.
✔ Substrate Assessment
Determining whether gypsum or the wrong plaster system was used.
We never simply skim over the problem — we diagnose it properly.
🛠️ How We Repair Failing Plaster in Stone
Once the cause is identified, we apply the correct long-term solution:
🧱 Remove Contaminated or Damaged Plaster
We remove salt-affected or unstable material back to a sound substrate.
🧪 Apply Salt-Resistant or Renovation Plaster Systems
These breathable systems stop salts from migrating to the surface.
We use trusted breathable materials from:
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PAM Ties – https://www.pamties.co.uk/
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Wycamol – https://wykamol.com/
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Builders Super Store
🔧 Fix External Defects
Repointing, gutter repairs or render corrections where damp is entering.
🌬️ Improve Ventilation
Reducing condensation where moisture is contributing internally.
As accredited members of:
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Federation of Damp – https://federationofdamp.co.uk/
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Damp Proofing Association – https://www.dampproofingassociation.co.uk/
our repairs follow industry best practice.
Insurance-backed guarantees are available for eligible works.
🏡 Why Stone Homeowners Choose Weather Wise
Weather Wise Solutions Limited is a family-run damp and plastering specialist serving Stone and Staffordshire.
We provide:
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accurate diagnosis
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long-term solutions
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CPD-qualified specialists
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transparent advice
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trusted customer care
You can find us on:
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TrustATrader:
https://www.trustatrader.com/traders/weather-wise-solutions-limited-damp-surveyor-newcastle-under-lyme -
Checkatrade:
https://www.checkatrade.com/trades/weatherwisesolutionslimited
📞 Book a Free Plaster & Damp Assessment in Stone
Flaking or powdery plaster won’t improve on its own.
Let us diagnose the moisture or salt issue and restore your walls properly.
Book your free survey here:
https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact