how to repair damaged plaster ceiling

by Judah Kub Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

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. ...

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:

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

How do you repair plaster ceiling damage?

If only a small part of your ceiling is affected, you can make a simple repair with a plasterboard or drywall patch. Cut out the damaged area of plaster, then use drywall to patch it, securing it in place with drywall screws.

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 repair a skim ceiling?

0:2910:27DIY Plaster Ceiling Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhile i'm stuck in the house i might as well walk you guys through the process so you can come withMoreWhile i'm stuck in the house i might as well walk you guys through the process so you can come with me on this fun but messy repair all right next step is to spray the plaster magic conditioner.

Why is my ceiling plaster peeling?

A: Moisture is a likely cause, high humidity in the house, inadequate ventilation after insulating, a leaky pipe in the shower, clogged dryer vent — just about anything — might cause the plaster to be damp and make it difficult for the paint to adhere to the surface.

Why do plaster ceilings crack?

Typically, plaster ceiling cracks have two causes: house settling and temperature or moisture fluctuations in an attic, which result in the expansion or contraction of framing members. Solution: Homeowners can fill these commonly occurring hairline cracks with new plaster and repaint the ceiling.

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.

How do you cover up ceiling imperfections?

Hide Ceiling Imperfections, Flaws, DefectsPaint the Ceiling with a Flat White Ceiling Paint. Flat paint will go a long way to hide minor imperfections on a ceiling. ... Install Recessed Lighting (Can Fixtures) ... Add Beams, a Medalion, Crown Molding and other Accents. ... Texture the Ceiling. ... Replace the Ceiling Altogether.

Is plastering the same as skimming?

So overall, skimming is a subset of plastering. They are both used to decorate structures and increase the durability of a wall, but skimming is done to update an old building whereas plastering is done to a new one.

Can you put filler on ceiling?

But removing a light fitting can leave an ugly hole in your smooth ceiling. The answer? U-Can Smooth Ceiling Patch and Filler. The the simple, mess free way to repair and restore ceiling plaster.

How much does it cost to skim coat a ceiling?

Hiring a Contractor. Skim coating a room yourself costs you about $50 in materials and $430 in tools if you don't have the tools already. Hiring a local drywall contractor is usually $50 to $100 per hour, and the average room takes four to six hours to complete—totaling a labor cost of about $200 to $600.

What is the best filler for ceiling cracks?

Toupret Fibacryl is a specialist flexible filler, which is suitable for filling and repairing movement cracks, problem cracks, and moving cracks on internal and external projects.

How do I stop my bathroom ceiling from peeling?

To stop future peeling and damage to the wall or ceiling surface, reseal the area using paint and primer, advises Family Handyman. Clean the area thoroughly using a mildew-killing cleaner and allow the area to dry completely. Choose a stain-blocking primer that is made for high-humidity areas.

How do I stop my ceiling paint from peeling?

3:016:28How to fix peeling ceiling paint - DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd bathrooms anywhere where you're going to have a very common issue with flaking and peeling paintMoreAnd bathrooms anywhere where you're going to have a very common issue with flaking and peeling paint. Especially if you don't have an exhaust fan. So i personally prefer to put this product on first

When to repair plaster ceiling?

How To: Repair a Plaster Ceiling. August 3, 2020. August 2, 2020. by Scott Sidler. An old-fashioned plaster ceiling can be a long lived and beautiful thing or it can look like a train wreck depending on how your old house has been treated over the years. The reasons to keep your plaster are numerous and may surprise you.

How to fix small cracks in plaster?

For these small cracks the easiest solution is to use a 5-in-1 tool to dig any loose plaster out of the cracks very gently and then fill them with a spackling paste or joint compound.

Why does my old school 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 apply caulk to a hole?

Trim the adhesive tube nozzle to fit in the drilled holes. Using a caulk gun apply one full pull of adhesive into each hole (you can skip the holes that you circled earlier where the drill missed the lath).

Why do you need to trigger a caulk gun?

Trigger the caulk gun slowly because the adhesive can squirt out of the holes unexpectedly. Wipe the excess off with a wet rag before it dries.

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.

What is plaster magic?

The plaster magic is a permanent fix that does not need to redone again. The adhesive will permanently rebuild the bond between the plaster and the lath.

How to repair a plaster leak?

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.

Who do you call for water damage on the ceiling?

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. Contact them to solve your problem with wall and ceiling repairs in Perth.

How to remove lime from a wall?

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. This prevents contamination of the wall and prevents bubbles and patching compounds from being added to the new painting. Apply the primer repeatedly on the wall. It will take 1 hour to dry and its oiliness will take 2 hours to dry.

What happens if you have water stains in your house?

If there are water stains due to leakage in the house, the price of your house will go down. It looks ugly and the buyer may not even consider buying your home.

Can water leaks damage a roof?

Water leakage can damage your roof and walls. And, it has to be remedied in a short time. This work is done in different steps. If you know these steps, you will be able to repair the leakage of the roof water yourself. OK, let’s know the steps.

Is plasterboard replacement expensive?

But, plasterboard replacement work is an expensive task and requires the appointment of a professional. That’s why we are here to give a clear process about it. Today, we will describe how to repair plasterboard in an easy way. We will also analyse in detail about the problems that can be caused, if it is not fixed.

Does water damage wood?

Water weakens all wooden structures. The wood acts like a sponge, so that water can easily get inside and cause decay. Actually, water is enough to ruin all the wooden structures in your house. Like furniture and walls, all the electrical appliances in the house can be damaged too.

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.

What happens if you crack a plaster ceiling?

The cracks in a plaster ceiling happen that could eventually lead to further damaging of the plaster. If not addressed immediately, the gaps would give way to falling off, leaving your top a mess. So how do you fix cracks? Here are some tips.

Why Should You Install a Plaster Ceiling?

As already stated above, installing a plastered ceiling can coat the inner roofing. Still, you can also use it to coat other parts of the house, such as the walls and other decorations.

What Are Plaster Ceilings Made From?

It is essential to know the type of material your plaster ceiling is made of to know how you can treat it. Several builders immediately seek to fix the roofs without even diving into the details of the materials. That’s why this event can repeat itself, and you don’t want to waste your money hiring help when you know how it is made and fixed.

What Are the Benefits of Plaster Ceilings?

Knowing that plaster ceilings can be the savior for the gaudy wires, there are some benefits for going through the hardships of still saving your ceiling. Here are they:

How Much Weight Can a Plaster Ceiling Hold?

The only wires that it can hold are the LED lights and some wires. But when it comes to the lighting that weighs heavier, it will need a lot of support.

How Much Space Is Needed Between the Plaster Ceiling and the Ceiling Structure Above?

Enough space between the plaster ceiling and the actual ceiling is required to accommodate the wires that must be covered. For ceilings with cassette air conditioners, 320mm is the minimum depth. At the same time, 9.5 ft is the suggested distance for the plasters and the ceiling for the homeowners installing ceiling fans in their homes.

What tools are needed to fill gaps in plaster?

Drills, rags, vacuums, pencils, drop cloth, plaster kit, caulk gun, and impact driver are frequently required. With these tools, you can clean the surface and drill holes for the plaster or adhesive to fill in the gaps or remove the sagging area of the plaster.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

What happens if you press sagging plaster?

If you press sagging plaster with your palm and the plaster doesn't move, it's possible that broken plaster has fallen between the lath and plaster layers. In this case, it's often best to remove the plaster and refinish the ceiling.

What happens if you press plaster with your palm?

How to smooth out a patched wall?

Coat the mesh tape with joint compound, then allow it to dry. Add a second coat to smooth out the patched area and the washers, creating an even, level surface. When the joint compound dries, sand it smooth with 100-grit sandpaper, then prime and paint as needed.

What was used to build a wall after World War II?

Prior to the widespread use of drywall after World War II, most walls and ceilings were constructed using a lath and plaster system. In older homes, the layer of plaster can detach from the wooden lath framing over time, leading to unsightly sagging in the ceiling. Fortunately, many sagging plaster problems can be resolved using simple plaster ...

Tips

Follow these easy tips, and watch the video to make quick work of ceiling repair, ranging from cracks in the ceiling to nail pops, large holes and even removing popcorn ceilings.

How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling

No longer a fan of that popcorn ceiling? It's easier to remove than you might think. Follow these tips from our DIY Basics video: How Do I Remove Popcorn Ceiling?

Prep Work

Painted popcorn ceiling removal is challenging. Test a small area in a corner to see if your ceiling is painted or not.