AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Fixing plaster ceiling10/22/2023 ![]() ![]() It should not take too much sanding to get the area to match the surrounding plaster. ![]() Without even a light sanding the patched area might stand out to the naked eye. Sanding is what makes a patch smooth and even with the surrounding plaster. Using a piece of sandpaper, sand the cracks to make them smooth. Do not poke the compound when it is drying to see if it is dry.Īfter the compound is dried, it is time for a quick sanding. Some compounds can dry in as little as fifteen minutes, while others take up to ninety minutes or more to dry. Consult the drying time on your particular compound. Once you are happy that all of the cracks are filled and that the compound has covered the lath in your holes appropriately, it is time to let it dry. Do not put too much compound on the ceiling because it will come down. Wipe the compound smooth with long even strokes using your trowel.Īfter a few passes, the compound will begin to fill the cracks and holes until they gradually disappear. If working on a hole, spread the compound evenly over the lath. Apply the compound to the cracks being sure to push the compound into the crack. Now, climb up onto the ladder with your mixed joint compound and your trowel. Once the lath is in place, you are ready for the next step. Without lath, the joint compound will not stick to a large area, and it will come free, nullifying the patch job. Cut the lath to size and place it over the hole, putting the edges under the surrounding solid plaster. You can find the metal lath at your local home improvement store. Metal lath is a screen that is used to hold joint compound. If you are working on patching a hole, you will need to acquire some lath. Knock free any loose and cracked plaster around the site, so you have an accurate measurement of the size of the hole free from any debris. If you are working on a hole, be sure that the area’s perimeter is firm. Be sure to clear the crack or hole of any dirt, dust, and grime that might be present. For the joint compound to adhere properly, the crack needs to be clean and ready to accept new material. Using a rag, work out any old plaster that is in the crack. The goal here is to create a better surface for the joint compound to adhere to later in the process. You do not want to damage the good plaster around the cracks accidentally. You do not want to put new joint compound over bad plaster that will undermine the repair. This will allow the loose and bad plaster to be able to be worked free. Using your finger, a razor, or a flathead screwdriver, gently pry the gap apart slightly. Widen Cracks Image Credit: zlikovec, Shutterstock Make a note of the cracks or holes that need patching and get ready to set your ladder beneath them.Ģ. Any large cracks that are more than half an inch wide, especially ones that run parallel to one another, could be signs of advanced damage that will need closer inspection. The patch can be applied to small hairline cracks and cracks up to half an inch in width. Identify Cracks or Holesįirst, identify the cracks and holes that you want to repair. How To Patch a Plaster Ceiling (9 Steps) 1. This article will help homeowners patch large and small cracks and small holes. That is not what this article sets out to do. If there are areas where sagging is observed or where large parts of the ceiling appear to be floating or bulging, that could mean a comprehensive repair where the plaster is reattached to the lathe underneath. Be sure that the ceiling is mainly in place. Signs of advanced damage that will need a more advanced repair or the help of professionals include sagging. This article is designed to help people patch a plaster ceiling, not repair it outright. Ceiling Preparationīefore beginning, inspect the ceiling. Here is how you can easily patch a plaster ceiling in nine steps. This is especially true in older homes built before 1980. Luckily, in most cases, they can easily be patched.įor the most part, drywall does not crack or flake like plaster, so if you are seeing new cracks appearing in your ceiling, there is a good chance that it is plaster. These deformities are usually nothing to worry about, but they can be a worrying eyesore. Over time, plaster can flake, crack and form holes. This was a common building material back in the day that has been largely replaced by gypsum board, also known as drywall. Old homes often have thick plaster ceilings.
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |