5 DIY Mistakes That Homeowners Make When Repairing Their Plaster Ceilings
Like everything else in your property, the plaster ceiling will need a touch-up at one point in time. The plaster can get bubbled, bulged, cracked or discoloured due to heavy equipment, water leaks and old age.
Many homeowners are usually tempted to carry out DIY plaster ceiling repairs. Though it is a viable option, you are more likely to make mistakes. Here are the common errors many people make, and why you should consider investing in professional plaster ceiling repairs.
1. Failing to Blend
Blending is vital in ensuring that the outcome is attractive. During blending, you cover the gap around the patch with drywall tape and use a drywall compound to conceal the tape for a seamless result.
It is also critical to ensure the plaster ceiling and the patch are of the same height. If the heights are not matching, use the drywall compound and a knife to even them out. After completing the blending process, you are set for painting.
2. Ignoring the Cause
There's a possibility your ceiling is old and needs some patching. But besides old age, other factors can cause plaster damage, such as dampness and impact. So, before patching or filling damaged ceiling, take the time to identify and correct the root cause of the damage, to prevent its recurrence.
3. Ignoring Necessary Structural Repairs of You Ceiling Plaster
Given that plaster is a solid compound, it hardly cracks or gets damaged. As drywall softens, it splits and warps over time, but the plaster remains quite intact. Because plaster is dense and durable, you ought to identify necessary structural repairs prior to patching or filling a damaged ceiling.
When you notice sagging, you're likely experiencing a water leak above the ceiling. Should you fail to repair the leaks, your property might experience structural damage or mould growth sooner or later.
4. Doing Filling Instead of Patching
When dealing with small ceiling cracks, it's easy to opt for filling instead of patching. However, a filling is applicable when your ceiling cracks aren't deep. More so, there shouldn't be discolouration on the plaster. In the case there are stains, there is no shortcut to patching.
5. Failing to Assess the Entire Wiring or Lath
Ideally, you must check the entire wiring and lath for possible damages prior to doing the ceiling repair. If the materials look corroded, they may be unable to support plaster patching. In this case, you'll have to reinforce the materials with a section of drywall to your home's wall studs.
These mistakes can be pretty costly and time-wasting. The best way to evade them is by leaving the job to a proficient and trained contractor. They are skilled and well-equipped to handle the tasks flawlessly.