Good ornamental plaster repair
I am working on a bunch of projects at my house and decided to get some electrical work done fixing some of the legacy wiring I had. The electricians had difficulty with pulling wires down through the parlor floor and knocked out a 8 inch piece of the ornamental plaster work, a piece of original…
I am working on a bunch of projects at my house and decided to get some electrical work done fixing some of the legacy wiring I had. The electricians had difficulty with pulling wires down through the parlor floor and knocked out a 8 inch piece of the ornamental plaster work, a piece of original plaster moulding. I am looking for a tradesman who has experience with ornamental plaster repair and knows what they are doing. I also just want the piece reattached and am trying to avoid a big project. Can anyone suggest a good and fairly priced person? Thanks brownstoners.
Thanks for your appreciative response. I’m glad you liked Thad, I think he’s wonderful and I consider myself lucky to have found him. In addition to plaster repair, Thad and his partner did a marvelous restoration of my brownstone last spring. I found them to be real artisans-practically knowledgeable as well as talented.
Well, I lucked out on this one and will do a separate post to sing the praises of Thad Simley, recommended by Bergan Babe. I called him this morning and he stopped by in about 20 minutes after I called to check out the problem. I also had a piece of a florette missing in another place — missing when I bought my house. He and his nephew starting laughing. “Why?, pray tell” I asked and they said that they were working on a house on Cambridge which had the same exact pattern on the ceiling and they had made a mold. Not only did they have the mold but they had made a few extra florettes which they came by after an hour to attach to my ceiling. It is PERFECT. They also did not charge me a lot for this. It was very reasonable they explained because they had done the work for the other person already. That was really luck. Rarely do things work out so well. Thank you!!! Thanks also for your info Bxgrl.
Ah- I was envisioning a chunk missing like a cut out wedge. There’s lots of new glues and such that have instant grab but since it’s just reattaching the florette, I would find a professional to do that. But it would be cool to make a mold of the florette in any case. Theres a 2 part mold making system that you mix and press onto an object. hardens into a flexible latex mold that is easily removed. I have to look up the name for you but it is great stuff.
I’ve recommended A & T for ornamental plaster repair on this site before. I have found them easy to work and their work is excellent. Call Thad (646) 831-8319
Bxgrl,have you done this? The obvious problem is gravity. The florette is connected to a plaster line on which other florettes are attached. It was affixed to the back with plaster at one time, but don’t know if there is some kind of gesso, goo, glue etc. in addition to the plaster which would adhere well to the piece from which it broke. If I fail and it falls off and falls to the floor and shatters, I have a huge ugly gap which could only be repaired by reproducing the florettes (very expensive job and don’t want to go there). Anyway, any feedback would be welcomed. Thanks.
Also sorry to say I don’t know a good plaster repair person but I could recommend some things you yourself could do if you want to take a shot at restoring it yourself. they’re not difficult and since the section you’re repairing is small, could be an interesting project.
Wow. That would be so great. Yes, I got a new job which really demanded a lot from me and I have gotten the heavy stuff on the renovation behind me thank God. I got so much from Brownstoner Forum during my renovation and enjoyed the give and take on our projects so much that I became really upset when something different seemed to start happening on the Forum. But this comraderie proves that the core is still there and that is wonderful. I can be reached at donatellaoffortgreene at hotmail dot com. Please keep me posted and if you hear of a good person for the plaster repair, please let me know. Thanks.
Hi Donatella:
I used to go under another s/n a while back (can’t even remember what it was now) and I always enjoyed your contributions to Brownstoner. So much so, in fact, that when we had a little get together last week with some of the posters here, I suggested we reach out to you the next time we saw you around. I see my friends let you know how we felt in your post on July 31st, but like you, I’ve been so busy at work and a little put off by some of the BS that happens in the threads, that I started spending less time here as well, so I didn’t see it until now. But now it’s the weekend, and here’s my opportunity to say I missed you. I think Daveinbedstuy or one of the other regulars might be organizing a get together in a few weeks — perhaps in Bed Stuy — it would be great if you could peel yourself away (perhaps literally) from your renovations to join us. Oh, sorry, I cannot suggest a tradesman with experience with ornamental plaster repair. Would love to see pictures of before/after though.