Despite the emergence of new opportunities, when arranging their own private home, many want to create a truly Russian flavor and install a stove. It not only brings originality to the interior, but is also a very practical element of everyday life: extremely tasty dishes are prepared in it, and the cost of heating the house is significantly lower. But in order for it to be durable and last a long time, carefully consider the choice of finishing method. Plaster is best suited for this purpose; you will learn about all the rules for choosing and applying it in this article.

There are several reasons why you need to know how to properly plaster a stove:

Important! Please note that if this work is not carried out, over time, soot, fumes and combustion residues will penetrate through cracks in the masonry and settle on the walls, pieces of furniture, and ceiling, reducing the attractiveness of the design significantly. In addition, all this is harmful to health. You can choose more modern heat-resistant materials for finishing, but their price is much higher, and the installation technology requires certain skills, so it’s unlikely to be possible without additional costs for paying for the services of professionals. It is for these reasons that plaster, although the oldest and cheapest, is always a relevant option for finishing a stove.

How to choose the right plaster mixture for the stove?

The criteria for choosing a suitable composition are simple. The solution should, when frozen:

• be environmentally friendly, without synthetic impurities and toxins;
• withstand high temperatures - do not chip or crack;
• have excellent thermal insulation properties.

Important! If you decide to choose a different material, keep in mind that it is strictly unacceptable to use drying oil or oil paints for this purpose - when the oven heats up, they will melt and chemicals will decompose, causing far from the most beneficial effects on your body.

Which mortar to choose for plastering a stove?

Several types of mixture are suitable for plastering the stove. The difference is determined by the component composition and proportions. The following are considered more suitable as a basis:

• gypsum material;
• natural clay of different grades of fat content.

Important! The filler can be any material that is affordable to you or left over after the main construction:

• lime;
• asbestos;
• sand;
• fiberglass.

If you have chosen gypsum as the main raw material, follow the proportions of the following recipes for a mixture of plaster for the stove:

1. Gypsum (1 part) + fiberglass (0.2 parts) + lime (2 parts) + sand (1 part).
2. Gypsum + sand (1 part each) + 2 parts lime + 0.2 parts asbestos.

The most commonly used recipes for clay-based oven plaster are:

1. Clay + sand. The proportion of the mixture is determined by the fat content of the clay. When finished, it should be viscous enough to be conveniently applied to vertical surfaces.
2. Clay (1 part) + asbestos (0.1 part) + sand (2 parts).
3. Clay + cement (1 part each) + sand (2 parts) + asbestos (0.1 part).
4. Clay + lime (1 part each) + sand (twice as much) + asbestos (0.1 part).

Important! Watch the suggested video to understand how to properly prepare a plaster solution for the stove.

Tools for plastering the stove

Once you have decided on the plaster composition that suits you and have chosen the time for finishing work, immediately prepare all the necessary tools, following this list:

• containers for mixing plaster;
• a drill with a kneading attachment or any other suitable tool;
• trowel;
• sandpaper of varying degrees of grain, grater or brush;
• water container;
• level;
• burlap or fine-mesh fiberglass mesh (there are special products for plaster on the market);
• nails 4-5 cm long;
• primer of suitable composition.

How to plaster a stove correctly?

To ensure that the dried solution does not peel off, does not crack, and looks beautiful, follow these instructions during the work:

1. Thoroughly clean the base - remove all dirt, dust, and if you are renewing the coating, then also the remnants of the previous material.
2. Clear the seams 5-10 mm deep.
3. Drive nails along all seams in 15 cm increments so that they protrude 1/4 of the way.
4. Prime the brickwork.
5. Take a technical break until this solution dries completely.
6. Preheat the oven.
7. Prepare the plaster mixture, following the proportions of the selected recipe. Prepare as much at a time as you can use before the solution begins to dry out in the container.
8. Wet the surface of the brickwork with water using a brush or float.
9. Attach plaster mesh.
10. Apply 1 layer of plaster 0.5 cm thick with a trowel or a float soaked in water - it will fix the mesh. Or secure it first with nails along the seams.
11. Take a technical break until the solution hardens.
12. Make 2 layers up to 1 cm thick.
13. Pause for the solution to harden, but not completely harden.
14. Wet the plaster with water.
15. Smooth out any imperfections with a float or sandpaper.
16. Check the coating for splits or cracks. If any appear:
    • widen the cracks;
    • moisten with water;
    • fill the inside with fresh solution;
    • rub in after drying.

• treat the surface from top to bottom;
• Make 1 layer more liquid in consistency, 2 – thicker;
• Using the nails in the seams is very convenient to navigate regarding the thickness of the layer and the uniformity of the solution distribution.

How to check the quality of plaster on a stove?

To make sure that you have plastered the stove correctly, take a level and check the following parameters:

• no deviations in layer height over the entire furnace height of more than 1 mm;
• evenness of the horizontal line of the coating at different points - deviation of no more than 2 mm is allowed.

What else can be done to make the plaster on the stove durable for a long time?

To increase the attractiveness of the appearance of the stove and the strength characteristics of the plaster coating, choose one of the following finishing methods:

1. Paint the surface with chalk diluted in lime milk.
2. Treat the plaster coating with lime milk and salt, using a proportion of 1 bucket per 100 g.

Conclusion

Now you know all the secrets of what and how to quickly and effortlessly plaster the stove in your home and make it beautiful and durable. Follow the rules outlined in this article and you will definitely get a high-quality result.

Gas or central heating has come to almost every home today, but despite this, wood stoves do not lose their popularity. This is due to many factors, including the environmental friendliness of the fuel and, in some way, savings, especially if we are talking about connecting gas to an area remote from the main line.

But, despite all the popularity, many still wonder how to plaster a brick stove so that the coating does not start to crumble after a few years. In fact, there is nothing complicated here, and in this article we will try to prove this statement.

The talk that plastering a brick kiln is a complex process that only professionals can do is nothing more than a story. In fact, this can be done with your own hands, even if you have not had such experience before.

So:

• Like any repair or finishing work, plastering should begin with preparing the stove and its surface. This is especially important if the stove was recently installed and this is its first finishing. In this case, thorough drying is necessary. Under natural conditions, it can last several months, so you can speed up the process and lightly melt the oven.
• You only need to do this for a few hours a day, and within a week the surface will be completely ready for use.

Important! In addition to drying the masonry, the stove must go through a stage of natural shrinkage, otherwise the plaster may begin to crack, regardless of the quality of the work done.

• In order for the coating to be smooth and without changes, before plastering the brick stove, you need to fix the beacons on it, as shown in the photo at the beginning of this article. They serve to ensure that the tool that will be used to apply the mixture does not press the surface more than required.
• The beacons themselves are made of metal, so they are not afraid of even very high temperatures. But more on that later.

Preparing the solution

So:

• Progress, which does not stand still, has reached ovens; today you can buy a ready-made mixture, which comes with detailed instructions for its application. But supporters of classic plaster try to prepare the solution themselves. Whether this makes sense is unknown, since the price will differ slightly, but we will still describe several options.

Advice! Before purchasing a ready-made mixture, you should definitely find out its composition and the maximum temperature it can withstand.

• Just a few, since there is a difference between how to plaster a brick pipe and how to plaster the stove itself. It lies in the temperature difference between the “body” and the chimney, and in addition to this, there are special mixtures for plastering pipes located outdoors. But first things first.

Plaster mixtures

So:

• As an additional additive, it is customary to use asbestos in the form of small fibers; it does not burn and retains the temperature well, but in recent years more and more controversy has flared up around this material. Some say that it is extremely harmful to health, others deny it.
• In any case, we will not advise adding it to the mixture solution for plastering brick ovens, and will leave this issue to the discretion of everyone.
• To prepare the solution, just mix all the ingredients in one container and dilute them with water to the desired consistency. The most important thing is not to forget that the lime must be slaked, and how to make it correctly is shown in the video in this article.

Plastering the stove

Having chosen what to plaster the brick oven with, you can proceed directly to work.

It happens in several stages:

1. We heat the oven and let it cool to room temperature, but do not allow it to cool until the masonry begins to absorb new moisture.
2. Thoroughly clean the dried surface with a brush or broom. The main thing is to remove all the dust and not let it fall back.
3. We dilute the clay in a separate bucket to a liquid state and apply the mixture to the surface with a thick brush. This will wet the oven underneath the primary coat and create additional adhesion for the plaster.

1. Now we attach the beacons. This can be done using the same plaster solution, which will securely fix them to the surface.
2. The next stage is attaching the reinforcing mesh. It can be made of metal or heat-resistant fiberglass, the main thing is that the mesh size does not exceed 2 cm. Previously, burlap was used as reinforcement, which was glued to the stove and covered with plaster, but such protection has more disadvantages than advantages, which means there is no point in sacrificing quality for the sake of tradition.

1. Next, we apply the first layer of plaster, which should cover the reinforcing mesh, but not reach the level of the beacons. Now it needs to be allowed to dry thoroughly, but without heating the oven.

1. When the first layer has dried, apply the finishing coat, focusing on the beacons. The two layers will securely adhere to each other, and after another drying, the surface can be sanded using fine sandpaper.

1. When the plaster coating is leveled, the stove can be painted.

Conclusion

We hope that we were able to debunk the myth about the complexity of plastering a stove. As you can see, this process, although labor-intensive, is completely uncomplicated.

By the way, often stoves are not plastered at all, and the brick itself, with smooth and neat masonry, acts as a decorative finish. Also, a lot depends on the location. But no matter where the brick stove is located, the plastered version not only looks better, but also retains heat much better.

Properly applied plaster has a smooth, even surface and does not crack when exposed to high temperatures. When applying it, it is important not only to strictly follow all stages of the work, but also to the type of mixture used.

What is the need for plastering?

You should not leave the stove or fireplace unfinished. There are several reasons for this:

• attractive appearance;
• creation of an additional hermetic layer: even if the brick joints crack, the likelihood of carbon monoxide leaking into the room is significantly reduced;
• hygiene: alignment of masonry joints prevents dust from settling on them.

That is why, after building a stove or fireplace, it is better to plaster them or cover them with heat-resistant ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware or stone. The first option is used most often. After all, the plaster mixture is inexpensive, looks neat and lasts quite a long time.

If you want to master the finishing of stoves and fireplaces at a professional level, then I recommend you a video course by Alexander Zalutsky, a stove maker with twenty years of experience. The lessons cover in detail the technologies for decorating fireplaces with tiles, stone and plaster. Only the experience of the master and practical advice without water 👍

How to plaster: choose a fireproof mortar

The main requirements for mixtures used for finishing home stoves and fireplaces include heat resistance, the ability to withstand temperature changes, high elasticity and resistance to cracking. Conventional solutions used in construction are not suitable here. The following types of heat-resistant mixtures are used for plastering stoves and fireplaces:

• clay-lime:
• cement-clay:
• clay-gypsum;
• mixed using several binders.

Manufacturers introduce different types of plasticizers into these mixtures, as well as moisture-retaining additives, with the help of which the rate of hardening of the solution is regulated. It is more convenient to work with them, since they set more slowly.

As a rule, two types of refractory compounds are produced. The first is used for rough primary finishing. It can be applied in a thick layer up to 10 mm. The second type of mixture is used only for final leveling of the surface. This layer is thinner, up to 3 mm. Finely dispersed components are introduced into the composition of the finishing solution, making it possible to obtain a perfectly flat and smooth surface, which can later be painted or coated

Plastering a stove is not as simple a task as it might seem at first glance. Due to constant temperature changes, an incorrectly applied finish will certainly crack or even come off in pieces. In order to plaster the stove correctly, you must first mix a suitable solution. Actually, the finishing procedure itself must be done in compliance with a certain technology. How to plaster a stove without cracking - we’ll talk about this later.

What is it for

Finishing of stoves and fireplaces can be done using a variety of materials: tiles, artificial stone, heat-resistant drywall, etc. However, plaster has always been considered the optimal material in terms of price/quality ratio. This finish looks very neat. In addition, if the application technology is strictly followed, it can last for a very long time. Plaster for the stove allows you to:

level the surface of the masonry and make it beautiful;

increase thermal inertia.

In addition, the plaster also covers the seams in the masonry. And this, in turn, prevents the accumulation of household dust in them.

How to plaster a stove without cracking: traditional mortar

Most often, clay is not used for finishing fireplaces and stoves. This material is capable of maintaining its properties at temperatures above 100 o C. Like cement, clay for finishing stoves is mixed with sand. The latter is first thoroughly sifted through a fine sieve. The amount of sand required to prepare a high-quality mixture of sand depends primarily on the fat content of the clay. The higher this indicator, the more plastic the mixture. And therefore, the more sand should be added to it. If it is deficient, the mixture will certainly crack after drying.

Typically, the ratio of fatty clay and sand in plaster mortar for stoves is 1:3 or 1:4. To strengthen the composition, you need to add straw or hemp to it. Plastering a clay oven with high quality can also be done if a little fiberglass (0.2%) is mixed into the solution. In any case, the mixture should be diluted in such a way that it is as homogeneous as possible. The clay itself must first be soaked for at least 3 days.

Other types of solutions

When answering the question of how to properly plaster a stove so that it does not crack, you should think about using other options for heat-resistant mixtures. The method of preparing the solution discussed above is far from the only one. There are many recipes for such plasters. If desired, you can make a heat-resistant solution, for example, by mixing:

clay, sand and cement in proportions 1:2:1 with the addition of 1% asbestos;

gypsum, lime and sand in a ratio of 1:2:1 plus 2% fiberglass;

clay, sand and lime in a ratio of 1:2:1 with the addition of 2% asbestos.

Purchased heat-resistant mixtures

Ready-made stove plaster can also be used for finishing. There are many varieties of such mixtures. But the most popular are “Pechnik” and “Terracotta”. The advantage of such plasters in comparison with those prepared by hand is a high degree of heat resistance. “Pechnik” and “Terracotta” are able to withstand temperatures up to 200 degrees.

Whatever mixture is used for plastering the stove, purchased or homemade, there is no need to prepare a large amount of it at once. The volume of a single serving should not exceed 8-10 liters. In any case, the solution needs to be developed in a maximum of 2-2.5 hours.

Fiberglass mesh for plaster as additional reinforcement

In order for the mortar to remain on the stove as firmly as possible in the future, it is not enough to use reinforcing additives in the form of straw or tow. When finishing, you should also use a special fiberglass mesh. This material can be purchased today in almost any construction supermarket.

Fiberglass plaster mesh is very inexpensive - about 30 rubles per 1 m 2. When used on a stove, the finish lasts much longer. Instead of fiberglass, you can use metal mesh to reinforce the solution.

Preparatory activities

Before you start plastering the stove itself, its surface should be thoroughly cleaned. Under no circumstances should the solution be applied to smoked or dusty bricks. Otherwise, he won’t last long in the future. After cleaning, the stove should be heated. But there is no need to put too much firewood or coal into the firebox. It can also be applied to fireplaces only on warm surfaces.

It is impossible to finish the stove immediately after finishing its laying. You need to wait at least two weeks. The masonry must be thoroughly hardened before plastering.

Before you start applying the mortar, among other things, you should select 10 mm seams between the bricks. In this case, the heat-resistant mixture for plastering stoves will adhere to the surface better. You also need to drive small nails into the masonry, on which you will subsequently stretch

What tools will you need?

Before you start plastering the stove, among other things, you should prepare:

solution container;

• sandpaper for grouting;

  broom or brush;

  bucket with water;

  construction level.

Plastering technology

Well, the preparatory measures have been completed and the tools are ready. Now let's see how to plaster a stove. To prevent the applied mixture from cracking and crumbling, this work must be done correctly. Plastering is usually carried out in several stages. The surface of the oven is first wetted with clean warm water. You can moisten it with a regular broom. Then the following are executed:

spraying solution;

padding;

cover.

Spraying the mixture

The first layer of plaster is necessary to level the surface of the stove. Spraying, as the name suggests, is done using the same broom or brush. The thickness of this layer should ultimately be 3-5 mm. After the spray is leveled, you need to stretch the pre-cut fiberglass mesh on the surface of the furnace, lightly pressing it into the solution.

Padding

The second layer of plaster can be applied after the first has dried. Its thickness should also be 3-5 mm. The primer layer should be leveled and rubbed as carefully as possible. In this case, the spray, since it will dry quickly in a hot oven, needs to be moistened periodically. The solution for the primer layer should be used slightly more liquid than for the first one.

Covering

The last layer of plaster is necessary in order to completely level the surface of the stove. The primer needs to be moistened quite generously before applying it. The solution in this case should be used even less thick than for the first two layers. The mixture should fill absolutely all cracks and irregularities remaining on the surface. The thickness of the covering layer can be from 2 to 5 mm. It is impossible to level the stove in planes with plaster. Ultimately, the total thickness of the finishing layer should be no more than 1-1.5 cm. When laying out brick stoves for your home with your own hands, this should be kept in mind. When performing this work, you should initially try to make the walls as even as possible.

How to properly plaster corners

To make the stove look neat, carefully leveling the surface of the plaster is not enough. In addition, you will need to decorate the corners beautifully. To make them as neat as possible, it is worth using leveling slats. After the solution has dried, they should simply be removed. Instead of slats, you can also take an aluminum profile designed for attaching drywall. It is fixed to the stove using mortar and plastered flush. Of course, both the slats and the profile should be set using

Furnace painting

So, now you know how to plaster a stove so it doesn’t crack. Of course, after the applied solution has dried, its surface must also be whitened. It is best to use a milk-chalk mixture for this purpose. This whitewash tolerates temperature changes well and also does not get dirty. In order to prepare it, you just need to mix 1 kg of crushed chalk with 2 liters of milk. You can also paint the stove with regular lime. This finish will also not deteriorate due to high temperatures. In order for the lime to stick better to a hot surface, you can add a little table salt (35 g per 1 kg).

You cannot paint stoves and fireplaces using oil paint. The drying oil contained in such paints will begin to evaporate at high temperatures, and an unpleasant odor will appear in the room.

Instead of a conclusion

Today, many people build houses with their own hands. A description of the technology for assembling such structures, as well as their drawings and diagrams can be easily found in specialized literature. However, laying out a stove or fireplace correctly is only half the battle. Plaster on the surface of heating equipment of this type must also be applied, adhering to the required technology. Otherwise, the stove or fireplace will not perform its functions effectively. And they are unlikely to fit harmoniously into the interior of even a modest country house.

Properly done plastering of a brick stove will extend the life of the stove, increase its heat transfer, and add comfort to the room. The main thing is that the plaster on top of the brick oven is laid carefully, in compliance with all the rules and key points for preparing the surface, preparing the mortar, and applying plaster to the brick oven.

Preparatory work

First of all, you need to prepare the room in which the stove is located. You should remove unnecessary items and make room for work. The remaining furniture should be covered with fabric, and windows, walls, and floors with polyethylene to protect against dust, debris and accidental damage.
You will also need the following materials:

• cement mortar for fastening the wire (for an old stove);
• burlap or reinforcing mesh with cells 10x10 mm;
• plaster solution;
• lime or water-based paints.

If you are planning to plaster the stove yourself, be sure to study the technology of the process and prepare the necessary tools and materials. You will need the following tools:

• trowels or trowels;
• graters;
• electric drill with mixer attachment;
• spatula or chisel;
• hammer;
• pliers or wire cutters and pliers;
• scissors for fabric and metal;
• containers for water and solution;
• measures and scoops for the components of the plaster mixture;
• coarse sieve for clay and sand;
• brush or spray for wetting the surface;
• vacuum cleaner or broom.

If you plan to freshly plaster an old stove, you need to completely clean its surface of the old plaster, which is removed with a spatula or chisel. The final leveling of the surface is carried out by rubbing with sandpaper or paper to eliminate minor errors. Complete the surface preparation by removing dust and small construction debris using a vacuum cleaner or dry rags.

Based on these factors, a decision is made on the optimal composition of the solution that will be used for plastering. Although many home craftsmen prefer ordinary clay mortar, the composition and properties of which have been tested by time, mortars of complex composition are also used for plastering brick ovens.

Return to contents

Surface preparation

Before plastering a brick stove, it is necessary to prepare the surface for applying the mortar. The plaster will lie neatly on a smooth and even surface and will stay stronger and longer without cracks or chips.

Plastering a freshly laid stove can begin after the cement mortar used for masonry has completely dried, hardened and gained maximum strength. This usually takes at least 30 days during the warm season. In order for the plaster mortar to adhere better to the brickwork, the seams between the bricks are cleared to a depth of approximately 4-5 mm.

The composition of plaster solutions includes clay, sand, cement, asbestos, gypsum, lime, fiberglass, and water. You need technical or tap water, but not river or lake water.

You can buy a ready-made dry mixture to prepare the solution or prepare it yourself according to standard recipes. A prerequisite in both cases is careful adherence to the ratios of all ingredients of the dry mixture and water.

Return to contents

Composition of mortar for plastering ovens

The question of how to plaster a brick oven is decided taking into account several factors:

1. Purpose of the premises (housing, bathhouse, workshop).
2. Room humidity.
3. Mode of use of the premises (permanent or temporary residence, etc.).
4. Climate in the region.
5. Proposed exterior finishing of the brick stove: whitewashing, painting, cladding (stove tiles or tiles).

Basic compositions of solutions:

Grouting the plaster with a float: a) in a circular manner; b) acceleration.

1. 1 part clay, 2 parts sand, 0.1 part asbestos.
2. 1 part clay, 2 parts sand, 1 part lime, 0.1 part asbestos.
3. 1 part gypsum, 2 parts lime, 1 part sand, 0.2 parts asbestos.
4. 1 part clay, 2 parts sand, 1 part cement, 0.1 part asbestos.
5. 1 part gypsum, 2 parts lime, 1 part sand, 0.2 parts fiberglass.

The amount of sand in the solution varies according to the fat content of the clay used. For 1 part of very oily clay you need to add 3 or even 4 parts of sand. The exact ratio is determined by applying the solution to a small area of ​​the surface. If cracks appear after drying, you need to add sand. If the solution crumbles, it means there is not enough clay in it.

Only slaked lime is used to prepare the solution. Fiberglass or crushed asbestos is added to the solution to increase the strength of the composition.

Return to contents

Mixing the solution

Gypsum-based solutions harden very quickly, so they are mixed in small portions and immediately applied to the surface of the oven. The cement-based mixture diluted with water should be used within 50-60 minutes. after cooking. Clay-based solutions can be stored for a long time in an airtight container.

To slak, lump lime is poured into a metal bucket (no more than 50% of the volume) and filled with water (no more than 60% of the volume). This should only be done outside. When the solution has cooled (after about 24 hours), it must be drained. The remaining pulp is passed through a coarse sieve to sift out undissolved pieces.

After clearing away debris, the clay for the solution is placed in water for several days. After soaking, the clay slurry is filtered through a coarse sieve to remove small debris. The sand is also sifted and mixed with the clay. After this, fiberglass is added to the solution. The resulting mass is thoroughly kneaded with a drill or hammer drill with a special attachment or a construction mixer. The solution should be plastic, homogeneous, without lumps and solid particles.