Tradesmen who do not want to fall behind on their building schedules can easily become frustrated when the plastering sand they apply takes longer than expected to dry, which can happen when the weather is cold outside.
Low temperatures can make it harder for plaster to dry, as there tends to be more moisture in the air when the weather is cold.
The plaster soaks up this extra moisture, which means it stays wet for longer than it would in warm, dry weather.
However, this does not mean homes cannot be plastered outside of spring and summer and only when it is dry outside, as this would severely limit when plasterers could work, especially in a country with wet, rainy weather like the UK.
Instead, there are things that can be done to speed up drying times during the winter.
The most obvious thing to do is to make sure the room being plastered does not become too cold. It is, therefore, sensible to put heaters in the room on a low setting.
Setting them at a consistent temperature of 15C will ensure it is not too chilly, and subsequently, there is not too much moisture in the air.
If, however, the heating is too high, this can cause cracking in the plaster, and make it more fragile over time.
It is also a good idea to get a dehumidifier, as this removes excess moisture. Regularly drain it so the machine remains effective.
Keep the setting so the humidity in the room is always above 50 per cent, otherwise this can cause the plaster to dry very quickly, and result in cracking.
The room still needs humidity of around 60 to 70 per cent to dry out evenly and avoid the cracks appearing. However, if the humidity in the room is above 70 per cent, a dehumidifier can help remove the unnecessary moisture.