Productivity of manual and machine plastering

If we talk about the machine method, then the level of widespread automation and mechanization of technological processes provides for the use of plastering stations. The principle of its work is not complicated. A dry plaster composition is placed in the device, water is poured. With the help of special augers, dry components are thoroughly wiped. Then they are fed into the mixing tank. Ready solution is delivered on the plane under high pressure through the sleeve and the gun. In order to avoid sticking to the surfaces of the unit (tank, sleeve), various additives are added to it. It is noteworthy that the use of plaster stations is possible on dry, factory compositions. Gypsum plaster is suitable for rooms, cement-sand essence is outside. This situation is quite understandable. Plaster gypsum mortar, not acceptable on the street. Cement-sand mixture is much heavier than gypsum. And, as a result, it is much more difficult for stations to work with it and the feed rate slows down. Along the way, the screws wear out.

Finishing companies have a modernly equipped park of plastering equipment. These are: PFT G4 machines, Kaleta 5S stations, Maltech M5, Graco RTX 1500, IMER KOINE 35.

Positive and negative characteristics of mechanical plaster

The advantages of mechanized application are:

• lack of heavy physical exertion;
• increased speed;
• cheap plaster material;
• saving mixes;
• quality of work;
• low cost (2 times cheaper than manual application);
• improved adhesion when applied under high pressure;
• avoiding errors in the preparation of solutions;
• the absence of cracks due to the homogeneous structure of the material.

According to professionals, manual plastering should be a thing of the distant past. But after a more thorough examination, some shortcomings were noticed. These include:

• increased noise level;
• presence of three-phase current;
• long drying of the plaster;
• Incompatibility of gypsum plaster with finishing tiles;
• a long maintenance period for the station itself;
• mandatory availability of plaster corners that increase the cost of work.

What to prefer

For comparison, let's take an ordinary apartment in a typical house. For the operation of the plaster station, the material will cost less than for finishing with a trowel. But, in any case, the use of gypsum compositions for manual plastering is impractical because of the inconvenience and high cost. If you take cement, sand and a concrete mixer, then this option will significantly reduce the cost of manual work (including puttying in several layers). It is noticed that the unit saves on a dry solution by 1 sq. m about 3 kg of plaster. In cases of replacement with a cement-sand mixture, this advantage disappears due to the low cost of the solution.

The significant difference between the station and the plastering trowel is slightly exaggerated. With strict adherence to technology, the difference in quality is not felt. Problems with intense cracking of cement plaster are resolved with a fiberglass mesh. It is most reliably able to keep plaster layers from shrinkage and cracking than in gypsum mortars applied by the station.

The gypsum composition is suitable for finishing bathrooms in cases where the plaster is done by hand. The best way out would be to seek help from finishing companies. Quickly and efficiently, in a short period of time and at affordable prices, the masters will perform any amount of work.