Frequently Asked Questions

We have a growing network of reliable and knowledgeable stockists across the UK. You can locate your nearest stockist here. We always recommend checking stock levels on the ground before making a trip.  

We manufacture on a weekly basis and typically supply within five working days from order confirmation. 

Breathaplasta is designed to make lime more accessible to the mainstream market – it’s designed to be quick setting and easy to use. Any competent plasterer can use Breathaplasta and achieve good results. Those more familiar with lime plasters or other alternatives to gypsum will find Breathaplasta very easy to use. 

We have a knowledgeable and friendly technical team comprised of former plasterers and backed up by materials scientists. Our technical team are happy to support you in finding the right products for your project and supporting you with any product related issues on site. Email us at info@adaptavate.com or call us on 01453 827800. 

Yes. Breathaplasta is suitable for all types of building, both old and new. Solid wall buildings will benefit from improved insulation and moisture management. Newer buildings also benefit as condensation and mould are an increasing problem in our newer building stock as we strive to improve the insultation and air-tightness leading to unhealthy and potentially mouldy spaces. 

Primer is not required for most applications, but may be needed in certain circumstances, such as; 

Adding a key onto a smooth background, e.g. when overcoating an existing smooth plaster surface.  
Evening out the suction rate across multiple background types.  

Additionally, primer is required before plastering onto specialist plasterboard e.g. fire-resistant and moisture-resistant plasterboard.  

To find out which substrates Breathaplasta Thermal, Universal and Smooth can be applied to, check out our installation guides.

Breathaplasta has a quick setting formulation due the presence of a pozzolan – a limestone with ‘clay-like’ impurities - that quickens the setting time whilst maintaining a breathable, vapour open structure.    

Breathaplasta contains no Portland Cement (OPC), no gypsum and no plastic. 

Breathaplasta must not be applied to a saturated surface as this may reduce the bond and lead to a failure. Our plasters can be applied to damp backgrounds – in fact wetting or misting the background is recommended for most applications. Sources of continuous damp should always be investigated and remedied prior to the application of new plaster.

Yes, you can achieve a smooth finish with both our Universal and Smooth plasters using standard plastering tools and techniques. Breathaplasta Smooth offers the finest, super-smooth surface finish. 

Breathaplasta is typically painted with natural paints or simply left as the natural plaster finish. Pigments can be added at the point of mixing and application, but results can vary so this is at your own risk. 

Breathaplasta can be painted using any standard emulsion paint, but these often have vinyl or acrylic additions that reduce the overall breathability of the paint, and therefore the wall.  

As most of our customers use Breathaplasta because of its high breathability (vapour permeability), our recommendation is to also use natural, breathable paints. Based on quality and product testing, our recommendations are AURO , Graphenstone , Bauwerk or Beeck brands.  

Drying times can vary depending on conditions, but a useful guide is to allow 1 day of drying time per 1-2mm plaster thickness. At least 7 days should be allowed for all applications.  

Do not force dry using heaters, fans, dehumidifiers, or excessive ventilation. This may result in weak and friable plaster from a poor carbonation. In warm and dry conditions, the plaster will benefit from a light mist with clean water for 1-2 days after installation.   

Breathaplasta dries to an attractive off-white or stone coloured finish. This bare wall finish is pleasing to the eye and is frequently desired as the final look. The surface can be left undecorated, but this may result in dust being generated over time which can become a nuisance. We recommend sealing the surface using a clear, natural sealant from one of our trusted partners, AURO. Auro 301 - Plaster Primer is a natural, breathable coating that will seal the plaster, whilst preserving the natural finish. Always do a test patch to ensure you’re happy with the results.  

Breathaplasta has been scientifically developed by Adaptavate specifically to regulate moisture created by people living and working in buildings. Its natural, breathable formulation allows it to absorb moisture from the air into its porous structure when humidity levels are high and release moisture back into the room when humidity levels fall. In addition, Breathaplasta has insulating properties that help raise the surface temperature of walls, preventing condensation from occurring. A naturally higher pH level (alkalinity) also discourages mould from forming.  

Mould growth typically occurs in buildings that are high humidity, have cold surface temperatures, are damp and more acidic environments (pH less than 7). 

Condensation, damp, and mould have always been problems in our homes and buildings and can be a serious problem for our health. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 UK homes have moisture problems with rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation being the three most experienced. 

Condensation is the most common kind of damp and is a growing problem in the UK. It is caused by moist air condensing on walls, particularly in rooms with a lot of moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. It’s most frequently a problem in the winter when walls are often much colder than the warm air inside. 

Our older housing stock, mostly built before the mid-1930s and consisting of over 7 million often poorly insulated homes have long suffered from damp problems, but this is exacerbated by the removal or blocking of chimneys and addition of energy saving measures such as double glazing. Traditional properties were built to breathe and allow moisture to evaporate away through the building. 

Condensation is increasingly a problem in our new homes and buildings as we’ve built them to keep water out and taken measures to make them more insulted and airtight. However, the average family produces around 14 litres of moisture from daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, and washing and this high humidity air inside gets trapped where it settles, leading to damp and mould. 

Mechanical ventilation and natural ventilation can be used and when done correctly can improve air quality, air flow, and replace old, stale, moist air with fresh dry air. This is not always the case. 

The problem with mechanical ventilation is that it requires constant service and maintenance and energy to perform correctly. Poorly installed or maintained systems can even make air quality worse. 

Natural ventilation by opening windows is counterproductive in the cold, wet winter months when we’re wanting to keep our homes warm, cosy, and insulated against the cold. 
Breathaplasta provides passive management of moisture and requires no energy input. Once installed it requires no service or maintenance and works in the background without the need for anyone to do anything whatsoever. We see this as a more fool proof solution to air quality. 

No, we do not use salt inhibitors in any of our plasters as these are typically materials that reduce the overall breathability – vapour openness – of the plaster. The micro-porous structure of our plaster helps reduce capillary action and slows the movement of salts through the plaster, but salts are a pervasive issue and are hard to mitigate entirely.   

Plaster beading is used to give added strength to corners and weak points that may be subject to greater wear and tear. Both beading and fixings must always be stainless steel or plastic when using lime plaster or render. Lime attacks steel and galvanised steel is simply covered in a thin layer of zinc. Any slight removal of this protective covering will lead to rusting and staining of the plaster as the lime reacts with the steel. This may cause either or both the plaster and beading to fail. 

Breathaplasta Thermal is supplied in 9kg bags, max. 110 bags per pallet.  
Breathaplasta Universal is supplied in 20kg bags, max. 50 bags per pallet.  
Breathaplasta Smooth is supplied in 20kg bags, max. 50 bags per pallet.  

Store in cool, dry conditions away from moist air and liquid water. 

The product is supplied as a dry, premixed fine grey powder. To create the plaster mix, simply add the powder to a measured volume of clean water and mix for 3 minutes using a plasterers whisk or similar tool. 

For Breathaplasta Thermal, coverage is 2 SQM at 10mm thickness.  
For Breathaplasta Universal, coverage is 5 SQM at 4mm thickness.
For Breathaplasta Smooth, coverage is 12 SQM at 3mm thickness.  

Stored in a dry and stable environment, off the ground, Breathaplasta has a shelf life of 6 months and can be used at any time within this period. Beyond this time you may find that the setting time is increased which could lead to more difficult workability or reduced adherence.