Protecting the Roof Before Applying Plaster on a Straw Bale House

Written By Andrew Morrison
December 21, 2006

plastering towersHow to go about protecting the roof. If possible, get any plaster that needs to be applied above the roof line in place before the finish roof is installed. If that is not possible, be sure to protect the roof from any dripped plaster. Once on a roof, especially a roof with texture like shingles, shakes, or clay tile, plaster is all but impossible to remove and the roof itself may need to be replaced in sections.

The picture above is an example of how to properly protect a roof while applying plaster. Do not assume you can keep the roof free from debris with careful detail. Instead, assume you WILL spill plaster and protect the roof accordingly. It is an even better plan to schedule the plastering after the roofing felt has been installed but before the finish roof has been completed. As with many other aspects of construction, a little forethought goes a long way!

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3 Responses

  1. Good thought Jennifer. I think a tarp might be too big, but some painter’s drop cloths could work. Any reason to not use those?

  2. Jennifer and William. Good thoughts. I agree that using disposable materials is kind of a bummer; however in this case there is a good reason for it. If you use a tarp, the size is usually too big and the risk of slipping on it is high. Roofing felt is not slippery, even when wet, so it makes a safe protective layer. The painter’s drop cloth is a good idea, but they get heavy when wet and are also bulky in most cases. I think a roll of roofing felt is th ebest thing to use in this case, but I am always open to other ideas.

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