Top-rated plaster repair specialists.

Best plaster repair specialists near Ames, IA

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your plaster repair project in Ames, IA?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

TRUSTED BY AMES, IA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.8
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon24
    Verified plaster repairs reviews

Top-Rated Plaster repair specialists in Ames - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for Rocket Patch Drywall Repair
Rocket Patch Drywall Repair
5.0(
33
)
Plaster - Repair

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Tim and his crew tore out my cracked plaster ceilings and replaced them with drywall. He showed up when he said he would, met the timeline he provided, and they did a nice job cleaning up after themselves."
Response time3 hrs
Response rate91%
23 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Juan Rodriguez
Juan Rodriguez
5.0(
9
)
Plaster - Repair

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Ive had work done by another company and I was not impressed with their work. Juan is an experienced professional & I appreciate his communication! Very happy with the work he is done in our basement. If you are looking to hire a company, look no further. You can trust him and his team of professionals to get the job done and done right!"
Response time1 day
Recommended by50%of homeowners
Showing 1-10 of 35
Plaster Repair FAQs, answered by experts

Although they have similar applications, spackle and joint compound are not the same. Their primary differences lie in their composition, consistency, and ideal use cases.

Spackle is composed of gypsum and binding agents, making it thicker than joint compound. It dries quickly and is easy to sand, which makes it ideal for small wall repair projects like filling nail holes or patching minor damage.

Joint compound, also known as drywall mud, consists of limestone and gypsum. It is primarily used for large-scale projects, such as taping and finishing the seams on newly installed drywall. It tends to shrink more than spackle and can be more difficult to spread.

While both products can be used to fill small depressions and cracks, spackle cannot replace joint compound for taping and mudding new drywall. Conversely, you can often use joint compound for small patching jobs typically done with spackle.

Yes, you can install drywall over plaster, but there are important factors to consider. While it can create a smooth, flat surface, it is often not the best approach. Installing drywall over plaster will increase the wall's thickness, which can cause issues with existing window and door frames that may no longer fit. You might also need to adjust power outlets to keep them accessible. A better, though more expensive, option is to remove the old plaster and lath entirely before installing new drywall. Drywalling directly over plaster seals in the old material, and if any problems arise later, you will need to remove both layers down to the structural beams for repairs. Given the potential complications, this job is best handled by professionals.

Whether you can install or repair plaster yourself depends on the project's size and your comfort level with DIY projects. It's possible to handle small repairs on your own, but for larger projects like a room restoration or a full installation, it's often best to hire a local plaster professional. The final appearance, even coverage, and durability of the plaster depend heavily on proper wall preparation and application. If you are not 100% confident in your ability to achieve a professional result, letting an expert handle the job is a worthwhile investment.

Plaster ceilings can sag for several reasons. In some cases, the plaster and other building materials shift and come apart over time, which is why you’ll commonly find drooping plaster ceilings in older homes. Improper installation, foot traffic, and water damage—often from a leaky roof or a broken pipe—can also cause plaster ceilings to sag.

If your premixed drywall mud is dried out or has begun to set in the bucket, you may be able to revive it by adding warm water and stirring. However, the first and most important step is to scrape off any hard, dried bits of drywall that may have accumulated toward the top of the container and throw them away because they will not easily reconstitute back into the drywall mud mix.

The Ames, IA homeowners’ guide to plaster repairs

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.