Introduction to solid plastering NVQ
Of the two forms of plastering – solid and fibrous – solid plastering is considered the core skill of plastering. Virtually every construction site will require some form of solid plastering but not every building will necessarily need fibrous plastering. Some industry experts consider dry lining to be a third type of plastering but most include dry lining as a sub component of solid plastering.
If you possess a Level 2 solid Plastering NVQ, employers in the construction industry will view you as a skilled crafts person with expertise in interior surface finishing and exterior plaster coating to insulate, strengthen, soundproof and fireproof walls, floors and roofs.
The 3 coats every solid plastering NVQ candidate should know
The assessment for the solid Plastering NVQ Level 2 is quick and takes no more than a day. The plaster NVQ assessor will be looking not just at how well you do your job as a solid plastering expert. Rather, the assessor will want to see your interaction with other workers on site including carpenters, lathers, bricklayers and painters – a solid plasterer relies heavily on the first three in particular.
Depending on the building plan and design, the lathers are the persons responsible for building the lath gypsum board or lath wire meshwork to which the plaster will be applied. During the assessment for the Level 2 plastering NVQ – Solid, you will be expected to show your knowledge of the three coats of plastering.
Where lath board or wire mesh is involved, the assessor will look to see if you can comfortably apply the first coat to the mesh. This first coat is usually referred to as the scratch coat since you will need to scratch if so that the second plaster coat holds fast.
The second coat must be smoothed a little more before you apply the third and final coat. The nature of the third coat will depend on whether you are doing an internal wall or if it is an exterior wall. For an exterior surface, the finishing coat is often heavier – usually sand and white concrete – to handle the effects of the elements. Internal walls can be finished with a less hardy finish such as a white lime mixture.
Other areas of assessment for the solid plastering NVQ
Among the specific units the Plastering NVQ assessor will want to be certain of your skills include plastering background surfaces, application of protective plaster, installation of dry linings, use of mechanically affixed plastering boards and the laying of cement and sand screeds.
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