PLASTER WASHERS INSTALL
PLASTER WASHERS PATCH
PLASTER WASHERS PROFESSIONAL

The general rule is to record the conditions as best as possible. HPCS was once called to a house museum to look at plaster that had collapsed in an upstairs bedroom, and it wasn’t until we arrived that we learned that the plaster failure was caused by the collapse of the roof under a heavy load of snow.

PLASTER WASHERS PROFESSIONAL

When this is done, think of anything else that would help a professional who isn’t on the scene come to an understanding of what’s going on with the plaster. (By the way, don’t throw out the debris just yet – it can be very informative, but that’s another subject)Īt the ceiling, get close-up and mid-range shots of the substrate, which is probably wood lath. Use the macro function on the camera if it has this feature. If plaster has actually fallen, take a good close-up, cross-section shot of any debris, preferably before it is disturbed. If it is a public building, a simple floor plan associated with the fire safety plans is often available.Īs for pictures of the actual plaster, it is important to take both long-view shots and close-ups. Include a picture of the floor plan of the part of the building where the problem is located. If you can, insert some orientation tags into the frame, with boldly marked compass directions. Take as many pictures as possible – at least a dozen. Even though these cameras are getting better, they are not very good at capturing the detail needed to display and explain the plaster condition to someone who isn’t on the scene. Quick snapshots with a phone camera won’t be of much use.

The right way to begin is by recording the conditions in the room using the best digital camera you have. Let’s start off on a positive note: the first thing you want to do is protect the artifacts that will be at risk if the situation worsens.

PLASTER WASHERS PATCH

Allow the patch to dry overnight and then sand it level using 100 grit sandpaper and a sanding block.This is what can happen when a plaster ceiling is overloaded with drywall Documenting Your Plaster Problems Small cracks can be filled with a paintable caulk. This will prevent moisture from being sucked out of the new patch material, which could result in cracking and a poor bond. Prior to applying the patch material, spray the lath and existing plaster with water. Once the plaster has been resecured to the lath, using a six inch taping knife, apply a plaster patching compound to fill in the hole or crack. If there is evidence that the lath is not securely fastened to the framing, use longer drywall screws in combination with the plaster washer and drive the screws through the plaster and lath and into the framing.

PLASTER WASHERS INSTALL

Install several plaster washers around the area to be repaired. Keep in mind that there is a slight space between each strip of lath.

If the plaster does not pull up and/or the screw does not tighten up, you have likely missed the lath and should back out the screw and move it slightly in one direction or the other. Tighten down the drywall screw just enough to pull the sagging plaster up against the lath and flatten out the convex shaped washer. Drive the screw through the plaster and into the wood lath a couple inches back from the edge of the hole or crack to be repaired. Next, insert a galvanized drywall screw (1 5/8 to 2 inches) through the center hole of the plaster washer and place the screw head into a #2 bit on a screw gun.

Plaster washers