Repairing Guides

how to repair damaged ceiling plaster

by Lora Bartoletti I Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

A Guide On Plaster Ceiling Repair

  • Remove the Damaged Plaster. Water damage ceiling and wall can result in swelling of the plaster. ...
  • Seal the Water Damage. After drying, remove all loose particles from walls or ceilings with a shop-vac and stiff nylon brush.
  • Repair the Plaster. ...
  • Apply a Second Coat of Joint Compound. ...
  • Sand and Touch Up Paint. ...

Part of a video titled How to Patch a Plaster and Lath Ceiling | Ask This Old House
3:55
7:58
And cut the patch to fit the hole. And the patch is made of 3 8 drywall the thickness of the plasterMoreAnd cut the patch to fit the hole. And the patch is made of 3 8 drywall the thickness of the plaster on the ceiling. Perfect i'll attach it with some inches 5 8 drywall screws.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to repair a plaster ceiling?

The square-foot rate fluctuates based on the material of your ceiling, for example:

  • Traditional drywall: $45 to $55 per square foot
  • Lightweight sheetrock: $50 to $60 per square foot
  • Plaster and lath: $65 to $80 per square foot
  • Popcorn ceilings: $75 to $90 per square foot

How to resurface an old plaster ceiling?

Things You Will Need

  • Drill
  • 1/4-inch carbide drill bit
  • Wet/dry vacuum
  • Water-based latex or acrylic adhesive
  • Caulking gun
  • Damp sponge
  • 1/2- to 3/8-inch flexible plywood squares covered with sheet polyethylene
  • Wood shores or screws
  • Putty knife
  • Sandable joint compound

More items...

Should I replace my plaster ceiling?

There are cracks in the plaster, which can be seen through the paint as raised creases in the canvas. We've been told that the best solution is to replace the plaster with drywall, but we are put off by the cost and the huge mess we'll no doubt have. When we investigated less costly alternatives, we got conflicting advice.

How to refinish a plaster ceiling?

To estimate costs for your project:

  1. Set Project Zip Code Enter the Zip Code for the location where labor is hired and materials purchased.
  2. Specify Project Size and Options Enter the number of "square feet" required for the project.
  3. Re-calculate Click the "Update" button.

image

How do you repair peeling plaster ceiling?

How To Fix Peeling Paint On A Ceiling In 4 StepsScrape off peeling paint on the ceiling with a putty knife. Use 150-grit or higher sandpaper. ... Patch the peeling area with a thin layer of patching compound and putty knife. Let dry. ... Prime the area with an oil-based primer. Let dry.Paint with a flat acrylic paint.

How do you resurface a plaster ceiling?

If the surface feels smooth, sand it with 80-grit sandpaper. Fill in any larger cracks with the joint compound and cover that with extra-strength fiberglass mesh tape. Any areas that appear recessed can also be filled in with more of the joint compound. You can then apply a plaster bonding agent to the ceiling.

How do you fix a water damaged ceiling?

Repairing a Water-Damaged CeilingStop the Water Source. In any water damage situation, the first thing you need to do before you can make repairs is to address the water source. ... Dry the Affected Areas. ... Remove the Damaged Sections. ... Repair the Ceiling. ... Prime and Paint the Ceiling.

How do I cover a damaged ceiling?

Installing styrofoam ceiling tiles is one of the easiest ways to change an ugly ceiling into a beautiful one. The ceiling tiles attach directly to the existing ceiling using an adhesive. The beauty is that there are a number of different patterns available and they are not expensive.

What kind of plaster is used on ceilings?

In general, gypsum plaster is the material plasterers use today. Different types of aggregate may be specified by the architect such as clean river sand, perlite, pumice, or vermiculite; however, if historic finishes and textures are being replicated, sand should be used as the base-coat aggregate.

Does ceiling need to be replaced after water damage?

If your ceiling has been affected by a recent leak, you must replace the drywall as soon as possible to protect the structural integrity of your ceiling. However, many people, especially new homeowners, think that old discoloration on the ceiling isn't an issue anymore.

Can you just paint over water damaged ceiling?

If a water stain has caused any damage, e.g. cracks or flaking plaster, make sure that you repair the area first. This will help get a great finish and improve paint adhesion. To cover the stain, you will need a specialist stain blocker (such as the Zinsser Cover Stain (opens in new tab)) or an oil-based paint.

How do you fix water damaged plaster walls?

How to Repair Holes in PlasterStep 1: Remove Damaged Plaster. Remove the damaged plaster by using a cold chisel and a ball peen hammer to chip the damaged plaster off the wall. ... Step 2: Apply Latex Bonding Agent. ... Step 3: Apply and Cross-Scratch Plaster. ... Step 4: Apply Second Layer. ... Step 5: Apply layer of Joint Compound.

Can you sand a plaster ceiling?

In order to sand a plaster wall, you will need to use coarse sandpaper on rough textured surfaces and finer grit sandpaper on smooth surfaces. It is important to take your time when sanding plaster because you could crack or damage the wall if you sand too vigorously.

Can you texture a plaster ceiling?

Use a sponge or trowel to create a texture in ceiling plaster. 'While the compound is still wet and soft, take your trowel, or slightly wet sea wool sponge and press it flat into the plaster and pull the sponge or trowel away making the compound into a stipple like texture,' says Nicholas Smacchia.

How do you smooth a textured plaster ceiling?

Scoop a small amount of the joint compound off the hawk using the taping knife, and then apply it in thin, smooth coats over the textured ceiling. This technique requires multiple coats, so don't feel the need to fill in all the low spots on the first pass. Wait roughly 45 minutes for the first coat to dry.

Why does lime plaster crack?

Old school lime plasters tend to crack and pull loose after repeated water damage due to the expansion and contraction of the lath which breaks the plaster keys off and usually results in a sagging plaster ceiling which we dealt with above.

How to fill a void in a wood lath?

Using some joint compound or patching plaster you can simply fill the void with the patching material. Make sure to wet the wood lath first with a spray bottle before applying any patch to avoid it from drawing the water out of patching materials and causing premature drying.

How to match spackle texture?

If you have a rough texture or sanded plaster you can add some sand to your spackle or use a sponge to match the texture as closely as possible. For smooth plaster simply fill, sand smooth, prime, and touch up the paint.

What does parallel cracking mean on plaster?

Parallel cracks are a sign of settling that should be address before doing any plaster repair. Perhaps the settling has occurred years ago and is now stable or maybe it’s ongoing. The latter should be addressed immediately to prevent further damage.

How to fix a loose lath?

Drill additional holes about 3” to 4” apart across the area that is loose or bulging. Step 1: Drill holes. Mark any holes that missed the lath to note them for later. If you miss the lath simply move over about 1/2” and drill a new hole. When finished vacuum out the dust from each hole.

How to condition lath?

Using the spray bottle of conditioner, spray 3-5 sprays into each hole to condition the lath. Keep a rag handy because the conditioner will run out of the holes. Step 2: Spray conditioner into the holes. Wipe off the excess thoroughly and let the conditioner set for 10 minutes.

Does plaster magic work?

Using Plaster Magic prevents having to skim the entire ceiling because it uses a very effective adhesive to reattach the plaster to the lathe meaning no permanent plaster washers. Before doing any plaster ceiling repair make sure to setup drop clothes and wear eye protection. Here’s a quick list of the tools and supplies you’ll need.

Remove the Damaged Plaster

Water damage ceiling and wall can result in swelling of the plaster. The first step is to remove the damaged plaster. Then identify the source of the leak. Go to the source using a drill or knife and repair the leak. Then, you have to wait for the plaster to dry.

Seal the Water Damage

After drying, remove all loose particles from walls or ceilings with a shop-vac and stiff nylon brush. Use a sponge and water to remove the remaining lime. Once the surface is clean and dry, apply an oily dry primer-sealer on it.

Repair the Plaster

The new plaster joint has to be repaired with many thin codes of composite. The coated part of about ¼ inches of soil should be made like butter. It should then be stroked parallel to the surface with a flexible joint knife and cover the repair area. Fill the damaged part with a flexible joint knife, and wait for it to harden.

Apply a Second Coat of Joint Compound

The second time the coat will be repeated the first time. As in the first step, make the soil like butter, make parallel strokes with a flexible joint knife, fill all around and wait for it to dry. This time fewer coats will be used than before.

Sand and Touch Up Paint

After the last coat of the joint compound is completely dry, the whole should be rubbed. The place should be smoothed by rubbing well. Then you can use paint on it as per your choice

Who do you call for water damage on the ceiling?

From the above steps, we learned that repairing water damage is not a straightforward task. Contacting Perth Ceiling Repairs may be the right decision for you in this situation. We know how much work it costs. But the professional team at Perth Plaster ceiling repair carefully can solve this problem for you at the best price.

Final Statements

So here, we learn how to repair water-damaged walls and ceilings. We also learn how to do wall and ceiling repairs even after being damaged by water. We have discussed what problems can occur, if it is not repaired in time. No matter how much you follow the steps, it will never be the same as professional.

Steps to repair the ceiling

Before you even begin your steps to repair the ceiling, the very first thing that you should always look to do is to stop the leak or whatever is causing the water damage to your ceiling.

Plastering kit you might need

Before you start, you might find it useful to have the following already to hand:

Ceiling Preparation

Before beginning, inspect the ceiling. This article is designed to help people patch a plaster ceiling, not repair it outright. Signs of advanced damage that will need a more advanced repair or the help of professionals include sagging. Be sure that the ceiling is mainly in place.

How To Patch a Plaster Ceiling (9 Steps)

First, identify the cracks and holes that you want to repair. The patch can be applied to small hairline cracks and cracks up to half an inch in width. 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.

Conclusion

There you have it, a clean patched ceiling in three hours or less. Throughout the process, be sure to keep an eye out for sagging. A sagging plaster ceiling needs a full repair and reattachment to the wooden lath and lattice underneath. A sagging ceiling should not be ignored.

How do I repair a plaster ceiling?

Step 1. Remove all the crumbling plaster and peeling paint. If the damaged patch is larger than about four inches in diameter, use a utility knife or chisel-edged scraper and hammer to cut it out in a neat, square section. For very large repairs (more than 12 inches in diameter) cut the old plaster away to reveal the ceiling joists.

How long does it take for fiberglass mesh tape to dry?

Smooth off the excess with the drywall knife and let it dry for at least eight hours.

What to do if you see brown spots on drywall?

Prime the drywall. If you see any brown or discolored areas on the patch or the surrounding ceiling, use a tinted shellac or stain-blocking primer. Brown discoloration is from water damage and will show through latex paint if you don't prime it.

Can you fix a water damaged plaster ceiling?

Plaster is a hard and durable material, but when it gets wet it crumbles easily. Fixing a water damaged plaster ce iling can be a little more involved than fixing a drywall ceiling. Plaster is held in place by wood lath (thin strips of wood backing the plaster) and you should be able ...

Can you wash joint compound down the drain?

Wear eye protection, especially when scraping and sanding above your head or on a ceiling. Don't rinse excess joint compound down a drain; it can harden in the pipes. Instead, scrape it into a trash bag. It's OK to wash the small amount remaining on your tools down the drain.

Can you sand between coats of plaster?

Sanding in between coats is likely to give you a wavy, uneven surface. For a harder, more durable repair, use plaster patch or Plaster of Paris. Be aware that unlike joint compound, it is much harder to sand smooth.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9