Advice On Plastering Ceilings
Plastering requires a good level of expertise and can be a difficult task for the novice. Plastering or repairing ceilings can prove to be an uphill task. Ceilings usually get damaged due to water seepage, structural failure, or caving in. In any case, it has been seen that most of the old wooden framed homes tend to have more issues with their ceilings due to the expansion and contraction of the wooden members over the years. Sometimes, the lath boards which are the plastering surfaces also expand and contract due to weather leading to collapse of the ceiling.Fortunately, when you learn how to plaster ceiling you will be able to repair all the cracks and holes in it. Learning the technique to plaster ceiling is easy and can be done by following the below mentioned steps. We are also providing a list of tools and other things you will need in order to achieve your objective to plaster your ceiling successfully.
Safety Tip: Always use protective gloves and safety goggles to protect your eyes from any flying plaster pieces that may hit the ground during the ceiling repair process.Advice on Plastering Ceiling
A hole or crack in your plaster ceiling can come as a rude shock. However, there is no need for you to panic. Follow are step by step guide to repair your plaster ceiling and achieve an ‘as-good-as-new' ceiling!
Plastering Tools Required:
- 1. Plastic sheet
- 2. Measuring Tape
- 3. Pencil
- 4. Utility knife
- 5. Drywall saw
- 6. Ladder
- 7. Framing square
- 8. Portable drill
- 9. Drywall (if using one for repair)
- 10. Sandpaper
- 11. Drywall screws
- 12. Tape
- 13. Hammer
- 14. Masonry chisel
- 15. Jointing compound
- 16. Finishing plaster
- 17. Small paintbrush
- 18. Spray-on texture
The Plaster Repair Process:
- 1. Spread the plastic sheet on the floor and cover any furniture or things in the room that can't be removed.
- 2. Place the framing square around the damaged ceiling area and draw the outline. This is the plaster ceiling area that needs to be repaired.
- 3. Mark the pencil outline with a utility knife so that it is clearly visible. Make sure you get a good score.
- 4. Tape the area outside, several times over the scored area to ensure that the surrounding plaster doesn't crumble when you scrape off the plaster. Keep overlapping the tape until it is almost 2"-3" thick.
- 5. Using a chisel and hammer, gently tap along the knife marking to remove any free plaster in the damaged area of the ceiling.
- 6. Make sure that the underlying wooden frame under the damaged surface is anchored properly.
- 7. If you are repairing your plaster ceiling using a drywall patch, then cut the drywall at least one-fourth inch shorter in both length and width as compared to the hole. (If you are using only plaster, try to open the cracked plaster in width at the bottom only)
- 8. Next, place the drywall over the exposed opening and fix it so that it is in level with the existing plaster ceiling.
- 9. Using sandpaper, smoothen the edges, or rough around the opening.
- 10. Fix the drywall using the drywall screws, fixed at 4 inch distance and brush away all the dust and dirt.
- 11. Apply tape on the joints so that the pieces are firmly fixed in a flat position.
- 12. Using a putty knife, apply a layer of plaster to the damaged plaster ceiling. Smooth it out and allow drying. Once dry sand the surface to remove any ridges etc.
- 13. Once the first layer of plaster has dried, apply a 2nd thin layer of plaster and smooth out again. Sand again and repeat the plastering process until the patch is completely covered with plaster.
- 14. Always allow to dry between each plaster layer.
- 15. Apply paint to cover the newly repaired plaster ceiling.
- 16. Once done clean the room, remove the plastic sheets and arrange furniture as before.
Repairing your plaster ceiling with drywall is easier as drywall is easier to cut and use. Drywall is also easily available and known as plaster board in the UK. This process also requires less drying time, easy assembly and less labour and time.
Finally, remember that the nature of repair is such that if you have any back or neck problems then you should consult your doctor and take his advice before considering the act of repairing the plaster ceiling. We advice only healthy and strong individuals work on this repair job.
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