Description

Plasterers apply finish, and maintain and restore plaster or similar materials, on interior and exterior walls, ceilings and building partitions to produce plain or decorative surfaces. Drywall installers and finishers install and finish drywall sheets and various types of ceiling systems. Lathers install support framework for ceiling systems, interior and exterior walls and building partitions. They are employed by construction companies and by plastering, drywalling and lathing contractors, or they may be self-employed.

Included Job Titles

acoustical ceiling installer, ceiling installer, drywall applicator, drywall finisher, drywall installer and finisher apprentice, drywall taper, interior systems mechanic, lather, lather apprentice, plasterer, plasterer apprentice, sheetrock applicator, wood lather.

Job Duties

Plasterers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Clean and prepare surfaces
• Mix plaster ingredients in trough to desired consistency
• Apply, level and smooth coats of plaster using trowels, floats, brushes and spraying equipment
• Trowel or spray coats of stucco over exteriors of buildings to form weatherproof surfaces
• Finish corners and angles and create decorative designs in finish coat, if required
• Cure freshly plastered surfaces
• Mould and install ornamental plaster panels, cornices and trim
• Spray acoustic materials or texture finish over walls and ceilings.

Drywall installers and finishers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Measure, cut and fit drywall sheets for installation on walls and ceilings
• Position and secure sheets to metal or wooden studs or joists
• Cut and install metal corner beads to protect exterior corners
• Fill joints, nail indentations, holes and cracks with joint compound using trowel and broad knife
• Tape over joints using taping machine and embed tape in compound
• Smooth out excess compound and allow coat to dry
• Apply successive coats of compound and sand seams and joints
• Fabricate and install suspended metal ceiling grids and place in panels to form acoustical and coffered ceilings.

Lathers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Prepare wall and ceiling layouts
• Install metal stud framing and furring for interior drywall or plaster walls and ceilings, using hand and power tools
• Attach metal or gypsum lath to studs or furring using nails, screws, clips or wire ties
• Cut openings in lath for heating and ventilation piping, ducts and electrical outlets
• Install corner beads and wire mesh around beams to which plaster is to be applied
• May install acoustic tile, hangers for suspended ceilings and metal studs for composition wallboard or lath.

Related Occupations

Included Cities in this region

Berwick, Bridgetown, Hantsport, Kentville, Middleton, Windsor, Wolfville

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