Wandsworth’s older housing stock — the Victorian terraces around Wandsworth Common, the Edwardian houses near Southfields, the Georgian properties closer to St John’s Hill — often has original lime plaster or decades of old paint layers underneath. Getting the preparation right on these walls matters just as much as the finish coat.
Older Plaster Needs Careful Handling
Original lime plaster, common throughout the borough’s period terraces, behaves differently to modern plasterboard. It needs the right primer and gentle preparation to avoid cracking or poor adhesion, something that’s easy to overlook if a property’s age isn’t accounted for.
Cracks and Movement Are Common in Period Homes
Period terraces settle over time, and hairline cracks around doorways and skirting boards are common in properties near Northcote and Broomwood. Filling and sanding these properly, rather than just papering over them, is what keeps a repaint looking good for years rather than months.
Cleaning and Degreasing Comes First
Kitchens in busy family homes around Balham and Tooting, and hallways in blocks near Wandsworth Town, all accumulate grease and grime that needs removing before filler or primer goes on, otherwise paint can peel or the colour can look patchy.
Priming Makes a Real Difference
New plaster, stained ceilings, and significant colour changes — particularly common when modernising a period conversion — all benefit from a proper primer or mist coat, saving on extra finish coats later.
What Good Preparation Typically Includes
- Cleaning and degreasing all surfaces
- Filling cracks, holes and old fixings, common in Wandsworth’s older terraces
- Sanding filled areas flush with the wall
- Priming bare plaster, lime plaster, or heavily stained surfaces
- Masking and protecting floors, fittings and original features
A great paint job in a Wandsworth period property is built on preparation most people never notice — because it’s done properly. It’s the standard our wall painting team works to on every job.
