One of the biggest challenges in gypsum plastering is: Bubbles, blisters, and even hollow areas appearing shortly after application. Many contractors immediately ask: “Is the gypsum material causing the problem?” However, based on real construction experience: Many bubbling issues are not caused by the gypsum itself, but by improper substrate preparation. A dry wall surface, excessive water absorption, and trapped air inside substrate pores can all lead to bubbling after plaster application. So how can we effectively reduce gypsum plaster bubbling? Remember these 4 important steps: 1. Moisturize and Seal the Substrate Proper substrate preparation is essential before plastering. For concrete walls, pre-wet the surface and keep it damp without visible water. Then apply a suitable bonding agent before plastering. For AAC blocks or brick walls, sufficient pre-wetting is required to prevent rapid water absorption from the gypsum plaster. 2. Keep the First Coat Thin Do not try to achiev...
Lightweight Gypsum Plaster Bubbling: Is It a Material Problem, Construction Problem, or Substrate Problem?
In the construction industry, lightweight gypsum plaster has become increasingly popular because of its advantages such as lightweight performance, thermal insulation, smooth surface finish, and convenient application. However, during actual projects, many contractors encounter a frustrating problem: After the lightweight gypsum plaster is applied to the wall, bubbles appear on the surface. At this moment, the responsibility is often immediately assigned to the construction workers. People may think: “The workers did not mix it properly.” “The plaster was too wet.” “The finishing process was not done correctly.” But is this really the whole story? In reality, lightweight gypsum plaster bubbling is usually not caused by one single mistake. It is the result of interactions between the material itself, the wall substrate, environmental conditions, and construction methods. To solve the problem, we first need to understand what is happening behind the surface. The First Cause: The Spe...