Among the many different issues that you may run into when doing work on drywall is for cables to be inside of the wall. This is normal, but what do you do? Can you plaster over them?
Generally speaking, there is no problem with plastering over cables or electrical wires. The coating on the wire will protect it sufficiently from the drywall mud. There are also options to help protect the cable or wire even further, and these may be considered as well.
One of the things you may want to consider if you are plastering an area where there are exposed wires or cables is the fact that they could get damaged. Even though the cable is sufficiently protected by the outside, that could get damaged with the drywall tool, which tends to be sharp.
In addition, there are other issues that need to be considered in this regard. This could include anything from what you will do at some point in the future if you decide to replace the cable or how dangerous is it to nick an electrical cable while you are working on it.
Can You Put Plaster Over Cables/Wires? (How To)
Although it certainly is possible to plaster right over a cable or wire, there are some other options that can be considered. One of the primary ways that this is avoided is through the use of cable capping.
This type of protection is often considered when you have chased cables. This is a construction term that is used to describe cables, pipes, or wires that run along a masonry wall and are not protected inside of conduit.
Cable capping is important because it protects the cables and it also allows new cables to be run and old cables to be pulled. If you were to plaster over the old cables or wires, it would lock them in place and you would not be able to pull them as easily.
There are also three different types of cable capping that can be considered. Each of these will have its own benefits, so you need to decide which one is going to be used.
Plastic Capping – Out of the three different types of cable capping, this is the easiest to work with. It is also the least expensive. If you’re looking for something that is flexible, easy to cut, and gets the job done, then you can work with plastic capping.
Galvanized Guards – Another type of capping is galvanized. This tends to be a more expensive option and it is not quite as easy to work with as plastic. Once you get to this type of capping, you are also looking at metal and that has its own problems.
When you use metal capping, you do run the risk of having it become energized if there is any damage to the electrical cable. This needs to be considered carefully because you could end up with a much bigger problem than just a small electrical issue.
Metal Capping – This is the strongest of all three types of capping and it is preferred because it offers some protection against a screw or nail coming in and damaging the cable or wire.
You can purchase metal capping in different thicknesses that tend to range from 12 mm to 38 mm. It is more difficult to install because it is not flexible and it is possible to energize the entire piece if the electrical wire is damaged. That being said, it is also the strongest of the three.
Should You Put Plaster Over Cables/Wires?
There are often different options available when doing any type of construction work. Some options may be possible but are they the best choice? That is what we have when it comes to plastering over cables and wires.
What are some of the issues that are involved with doing it this way? Let’s consider a few:
Electrical Safety – When plastering over electrical wires, it will not be any problem unless the drywall tool or other tool happens to nick the electrical cable. That can be a real issue, causing the possibility of an electrical fire or shock.
Even if you were to use capping, electrical safety still needs to be considered. If you’re to put a screw through the wall and it enters into an electrical wire, the screw could become energized. If metal capping is used, the capping itself could be energized.
Pulling Cable – The chased cables that are in the wall at this time may be exactly what you need but is that always going to be the case? If there is any time in the future when you need to make a change, then plastering over the cable or wire could be a problem.
Encasing the cable or wire in a cap is the most important thing you can do to make it easier for any future work. Otherwise, you may end up having to go back into the wall again.
There is something that is not a problem, although it is often considered to be an issue. Modern-day plaster is not going to react to the protection on the cables. This is something that may have been a problem in the past, but it is no longer a problem.
If you do decide to plaster over the cable or wire, you don’t have to worry about the cable itself being damaged at some point in the future because it is embedded in the plaster. That doesn’t happen any longer.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Plaster Over Cables/Wires?
There are a few tools that are necessary to put plaster over cables or wires. Here are the tools you should have available before you get started:
Tape Measures
Pencils
Hammer
T-Square
Utility Knife
Drill Withdrawal Bits and Screwdriver Bits
Screws or Tap Cons
Trowels
Sandpaper
Sponge and Bucket
Rags
Safety Glasses
Gloves
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Plaster Over Cables/Wires?
Preparing to put plaster over cables or wires is not something that should be done without forethought. The preparation is often more important than the actual work because it protects you and your home. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Lockout-Tagout – If you are not familiar with the principle of lockout tag out, it essentially disconnects an energy source and gives you control over it.
This is vitally important but it is a step that is often skipped when doing work around the home. If you turn off the breaker so you can do work on electrical wires, what happens if somebody accidentally turns on the breaker?
Honestly, most homeowners will simply flip a switch on the wall to begin working on electricity or they might even try to work on the electricity while it is still live. Rather than taking a chance, you should disconnect the energy source and lock it out so there is no chance for somebody else to re-energize it.
Don’t think that you can’t be injured or even killed by the energy running to an outlet or light fixture. There is more than enough energy there to kill a human being, so take it seriously.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 17, 2022.
Cable Capping – Even though it certainly is possible to plaster directly over the cable or wire, it is a much better idea to use cable capping. This is essentially a barrier that helps to protect the cable or wire from damage.
Choosing your cable capping does not require a lot of forethought, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Plastic capping is typically the most commonly used because it is easy to work with and inexpensive. Metal capping provides a greater layer of protection but it is more expensive.
How To Put Plaster Over Cables/Wires
Now that we have prepared the area for work, how do you actually put the plaster in the area? The process is the same, regardless of whether you have covered over the cables and wires with capping or not.
Step 1: Cleanup Edges – The cut edges of the drywall should be cleaned up so they can be properly plastered. If they are protruding beyond the face of the wall, they should either be cut with a utility knife or hammered back in gently.
Unless you clean up the edges in advance, you’re going to have a difficult time covering the area with plaster. You will constantly be fighting against the existing drywall rather than working along with it.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 17, 2022.
Step 2: Plaster – When you get to this point in the process, you are essentially ready to plaster the wall. Put the plaster into the void using a drywall knife and skim it along the surface. Try to choose a drywall knife that is at least as wide as the area you are filling.
It may take some work but you should be able to get the area somewhat smooth by the time the plaster is ready. You can then let it dry.
Step 3: Sand – The final step in the process is to sand the drywall. This can either be done with sandpaper or you can use a sponge with water to wet sand. You are then ready to clean up, prime, and paint.
It is possible to put plaster over cables or wires directly. You can also use cable capping to further protect the cables and wires and to make it easier to replace them at some point in the future.
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