If the plaster in your Crewe home is bubbling, powdering, flaking or crumbling, it’s almost always a sign of moisture or salt contamination within the wall. While painting over it might hide the problem for a short time, the damage always returns until the underlying cause is addressed.
At Weather Wise Solutions Limited, we diagnose why plaster breaks down and provide long-term solutions that stop the issue from coming back.
🧱 Why Plaster Starts to Bubble or Powder
Plaster is designed to be breathable — but only when applied to dry, stable masonry.
Moisture, salts or poor materials cause the plaster to break down, flake off or blister beneath the surface.
Below are the most common causes we find in Crewe homes:
1️⃣ Hygroscopic Salts in the Masonry
Salts left behind from:
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previous rising damp
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old chimney use
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contaminated plaster
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untreated dampness
These salts absorb airborne moisture and cause:
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bubbling paint
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surface blistering
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powdery plaster
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tide marks
Even when the wall itself is dry, salts pull moisture into the surface.
2️⃣ Penetrating Damp from Outside
Moisture entering through:
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cracked or hollow render
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porous brickwork
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deteriorated pointing
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leaking downpipes
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failed sills or lintels
This moisture travels through the masonry, pushing the plaster off internally.
3️⃣ Trapped Moisture Behind the Plaster
Plaster applied over damp walls or non-breathable surfaces often fails because moisture cannot escape.
Common examples:
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gypsum plaster applied in damp basements
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plaster over failed damp proof courses
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walls painted with waterproof coatings
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dot-and-dab plasterboard on damp masonry
This causes bubbling and hollow-sounding areas.
4️⃣ Bridging of the DPC (Damp Proof Course)
If plaster touches the floor or cavity insulation sags across the DPC, moisture can bypass the barrier and travel into the wall base.
Signs include:
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powdering plaster at skirting height
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salt bands
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damp staining in horizontal stripes
5️⃣ Poor-Quality or Incorrect Plaster
Using standard gypsum plaster in damp environments will often lead to premature failure.
Renovation plaster or salt-resistant systems are required when moisture or salts are present.
🧰 How Weather Wise Diagnose Plaster Problems in Crewe
Our CPD-qualified specialists carry out a structured investigation:
✔ Salt Testing
To confirm whether hygroscopic salts are present.
✔ Moisture Mapping
Using calibrated meters to see how moisture travels through the wall.
✔ External Inspection
Checking render, pointing, brickwork and guttering for defects.
✔ Cavity Assessment
Identifying debris, insulation faults or bridging.
✔ Ventilation & Humidity Checks
To rule out internal condensation layers.
🛠️ How Weather Wise Fix Bubbling & Powdering Plaster
Once we have identified the cause, we provide the correct long-term solution.
🧱 Salt-Resistant or Renovation Plaster Systems
We apply breathable, salt-tolerant materials that prevent contamination returning to the surface.
We use reliable products 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
🔧 External Repairs
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repointing
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render corrections
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sill and lintel repairs
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guttering improvements
🪚 Removing Bridging Plaster
Ensuring the plaster does not connect to the floor or across the DPC line.
🌬️ Ventilation Improvements
PIV or DMEV systems where humidity is contributing to surface failure.
As 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/
your repairs follow proper industry standards.
Eligible treatments include insurance-backed guarantees where applicable.
🏡 Why Crewe Homeowners Trust Weather Wise
Weather Wise Solutions Limited is a family-run damp and plastering specialist serving Crewe and Cheshire.
We focus on accurate diagnosis and long-term solutions, not quick fixes.
We are trusted and verified 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 Assessment in Crewe
Bubbling or powdering plaster will not improve without addressing the root cause.
Let us diagnose the moisture source and restore your walls properly.
Book your free survey here:
https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact