Indicators include large holes or sagging in the ceiling, as well as mold and discoloration. If modern plastering applications have been used, you’ll need to assess whether the drywall underneath has suffered extensive water damage. Does water damaged plaster need replacing? You can then either remove the old plaster or leave it in place and reface the entire area with a new drywall. Leave the supporting prop in place until the plaster has dried and bonded to the laths’. 'Mix fairly runny boding undercoat plaster and pour it over the damaged area to replace the broken plaster. Lift the floorboards in the room above and vacuum between the joists over the bulge to collect up loose plaster. This should reach from the floor to the ceiling. ‘Prop up the sagging plaster using a flat piece of chipboard or plywood nailed to a length of 38mm-square timber. We’d advise calling in a professional for a job like this, however, it you want to attempt it yourself, here’s how the DIY experts at B&Q advise you do it: The first sign of this is sagging or bulging plaster. Over time, plaster can dry out, weaken and lose its holding strength, and the laths can start to pull away. Typically found in older homes, traditional lath-and-plaster ceilings are formed by nailing strips of wood or metal mesh (referred to as laths) to the ceiling joists to form a strong base, then adding layers of plaster on top. This same method works for small holes, too. Then prime and paint to match the wall.įor wider cracks, consider applying mesh or fiberglass tape over it before spreading joint compound over the top and smoothing out. After applying several thin layers, let it dry and sand the area to create a flat, smooth finish. ‘This will ensure you get enough easy sand into the crack for a substantial strong fill’, explains Nicholas Smacchia from Westchester-based company, Plastering by Nicholas.Įnsure you have brushed out any debris before applying joint compound or filler with a putty knife, scraping off the excess as you go. It may seem counterintuitive, but the best thing you can do is to make the crack slightly wider. How to repair cracks and holes in a plaster ceilingĬosmetic issues such as repairing nail holes and gouges caused by DIY work and fixing ceiling cracks that are fine in a plaster ceiling are relatively easy to deal with. Cover walls and furniture with plastic and lay down drop cloths so any dust and scrapings can be easily cleaned up afterwards. Regardless of the extent of repair work necessary, you’ll need to wear protective gear including a face mask and goggles, particularly when working with old plaster. Only once you’ve established the cause – and resolved any issues – are you in a position to think about how to repair a plaster ceiling. If the crack in question traverses the wall as well as the ceiling, you will want to know what causes cracks in walls to help solve the problem. In this case, you should bring in a professional to inspect in more detail’, says Ash Reed, interiors expert at Living Cozy. Allow it to dry completely before the last sanding.‘While minor cracks are usually nothing to worry about, thicker ones (anything more than 1/10 of an inch) can be a warning sign that structural problems may be afoot. A final light coat of jointing compound might be needed to finish the job. Smooth the surface using the sanding blocks and take care to check for ridges and bubbles. Step 6 – Blend the New Surface Into the OldĪpply more jointing compound and feather it across the plaster to create a continuous surface and leave it to dry. Don’t worry about any slight shrinking that might occur. Step 5 – Apply the Jointing CompoundĪpply jointing compound around the drywall sheet and allow it to dry for 24 hours. While nails can be used, screws make for a stronger attachment. Press the drywall sheet to the hole and secure it to the joists using screws spaced four to six inches apart. Take a note of the position of the joists and mark them on the underside of the drywall sheet. Step 3 – Cut the Drywall to SizeĬut the drywall sheet to fit into the rectangle you have just made in the ceiling. Use the putty knife and a straightedge to score the rectangular shape into the plaster and then use the hammer and chisel to cut the old plaster into as straight an edge as possible. Step 2 – Mark Out a Work Area in the PlasterĬarefully carve a rectangle into the area of the removed plaster.
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