How to fix water-damaged plaster over brick?

john12345

I’ve just discovered yucky plaster at the back of fridge cavity - it looks like it’s got lots water damage at the bottom (maybe mould, and noticeably wet. Do you just remove the plaster? Looks like plaster board was installed before the kitchen cabinets either side were installed. It’s a Brick wall is behind the plaster 

Any thoughts appreciated! 

MitchellMc

Hi @john12345,

It looks like the plaster will need to be replaced, but the more important step is to find out where the water is coming from before doing any repairs.

Repairing the plaster itself is fairly straightforward: you’d cut the damaged section away from the brickwork, clean and dry the area thoroughly, then glue a new sheet of plasterboard back in place. Once patched, it can be filled, sanded, and repainted.

However, the staining and dampness you’ve mentioned suggest there might still be an active leak. I can see water marks on the timber and dampness on the brickwork behind the plaster. Take a close look at the timber directly below the oven. If that darker area near the bottom drawer is a water stain, it could mean moisture is tracking underneath the cabinetry as well.

Before you replace the plaster, I’d strongly recommend confirming that the leak is resolved. If the source isn’t obvious, it might be worth contacting a leak detection specialist to identify where the water is coming from. There’s no point fixing the plaster if moisture is still getting in, as it will just cover up the issue. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell