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Poulticing Walls and Other Vertical Surfaces: What You Need to Know

719 February 13, 2023  Stain Management, Stone & Tile Restoration

Poulticing Walls and Other Vertical Surfaces

Making sure that a poultice is held securely in place is important for several reasons:

  1. The poultice needs continuous contact with the surface to work properly. If the poultice shifts off of the stained area, the movement can reduce its effectiveness.
  2. Keeping a poultice securely in place can help it remain moist. If it dries too quickly, it may not remove the stain. The stain can actually be reabsorbed into the surface, effectively undoing the treatment.
  3. Keeping a poultice securely in place, will help ensure that it stays in place for the recommended amount of time. This will increase the odds that the poultice can work effectively, especially for stubborn stains that may require a longer treatment time.

Tips for Vertical Poultice Application

Here are some tips from Fred Hueston, Chief Technical Director of Surface Care Pros and Owner of Stone Forensics for applying a poultice to a wall or other vertical surface: 

  1. Use less water or chemical in the poultice. This will keep it from sagging. 
  2. Apply it thin. 
  3. Apply the poultice to a piece of plastic first. Then place the poultice and plastic combination on the wall with the poultice portion facing the wall.
  4. Tape the bottom of the plastic first, and then tape the remaining sides. (It may also help to place a piece of tape along the bottom of the plastic prior to placing on wall.)
  5. If you need to apply a large amount of poultice to a large area, the poultice can be applied using a stucco spray gun. Mix the poultice thin and spray on the stone. You can cover a lot of area in a very short time using this method.

For more information, register to earn a Stone Restoration Master Course Certificate. You'll learn how to restore natural stone floors, countertops, and walls, engineered stone, and granite floors, using the most efficient and effective restoration procedures. Also included in this program is the Stain Care Pro course with a one-year subscription to the Stain Care Pro app and Understanding Sealers.