Emergency Home Repair

Part of your home that needs emergency home repair are the plaster and ceiling.Although plaster is known to be rigid and susceptible to cracks and stress, it is still chosen for interior wall and ceiling decoration because it is more visually stunning when finished compared to the drywall material commonly applied in home decoration. Another more important reason is that should a crack form on the plaster decoration, in most cases it is relatively easy to repair without the need for a plastering expert.

The steps involved in repairing a plastered wall and/ or ceiling are:

• Step 1) The old, chipped plaster is removed from the substrate before any repair is to be done. Ensure that debris is removed thoroughly. Note: if the stress lines appear to run in a diagonal direction, then there is no need to chip away the old, ruined plaster but instead immediately repair the plastering surface by application of drywall plastering compound with drywall tape added to seal holes and stress lines ( see Fig. 1 for what a drywall tape looks like). If the stress lines appear to run in a horizontal direction, it shows this is a serious problem because it is thought that the cause of this is due to the lathe (the lathe is a platform made up of horizontal strips of wood stuck together to support the plaster when it is being applied to the substrate (see Fig.2 for a pic of a lathe)).

Fig.1 Drywall tape                                                                                                                        Fig.2 Lathe

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Step 2) Drywall setting compounds are applied to the area where the stress is found. Drywall setting compounds. The time taken for the compound to dry can range from 20 minutes to 90 minutes. (See Fig. 3 for a pic of a fast drying setting compound). The drywall setting compound is mixed with water until it has a consistency that is not too runny or too thick. The drywall setting compound is applied smoothly and evenly over the cracks/lines.

Fig.3: drywall setting compound

 

 

 

 

 

• Step 3) The drywall tape is now applied to the setting compound to cover the cracks or stress lines. A 4″ or 6″ drywall taping knife is used to press the tape into the setting compound. Note: there should be setting compound wetting both sides of the tape.  Excess setting compound is removed by wiping it away with the drywall knife. (See Fig. 4 for an example of a drywall tape and Fig.5 for an example of a drywall taping knife.)

Fig.4: drywall tape                                                                                                                 Fig.5: drywall taping knife

•  Step 4) Make sure the tape is embedded in the mud well because this is so important. Once this is done allow time for drying. When the setting compound has dried, sand the edges lightly. Apply a second coat of drywall setting compound  using a 8″ or 10″ drywall floating knife. Spread the second coat evenly and if necessary, sand down any uneven surfaces.
• Step 5) In this final step, apply a final coat of drywall setting compound using a 12″ or 14″ drywall taping knife. Note: this last coat should have thinner consistency than the previous coats and should be applied in such a way as to achieve the smoothest texture.

 

 

Tags: emergency home repair