How to plaster the ceiling? How to properly remove the old coating and seal the cracks?

While plastering a ceiling may appear like an overwhelming undertaking, it is a doable do-it-yourself project with the appropriate approach and a little perseverance. Understanding how to correctly remove old coatings and seal cracks is essential for a smooth and long-lasting finish, whether you’re dealing with an old, cracked surface or just want to update your area.

It’s crucial to prepare your ceiling by removing any loose plaster, old paint, or wallpaper before you start plastering. This stage guarantees that your new plaster will look smooth and adhere correctly. By taking the time to do this correctly, you can avoid headaches in the future and achieve a polished finish.

Ceiling cracks are a common problem, particularly in older homes. To keep these cracks from resurfacing and undoing all of your hard work, you must seal them before plastering. You can prolong the life of your new plaster and achieve a seamless appearance by using the appropriate tools and methods.

We’ll guide you through every step of plastering your ceiling in this post, from scraping off the old plaster to caulking fissures and adding fresh plaster. You can tackle this home improvement project with confidence and achieve a gorgeous, smooth ceiling by following these steps.

Step Details
1. Prepare the Room Remove or cover furniture, and protect the floors with drop cloths.
2. Remove Old Coating Use a scraper to remove peeling paint or plaster. For stubborn spots, use a wire brush or sandpaper.
3. Clean the Surface Wipe the ceiling with a damp cloth to remove dust and debris.
4. Seal Cracks Fill cracks with a suitable filler or plaster. Allow it to dry completely before sanding it smooth.
5. Apply Primer Use a primer suitable for ceilings to ensure good adhesion of the plaster.
6. Mix Plaster Follow the manufacturer"s instructions to mix the plaster to the correct consistency.
7. Apply Plaster Using a trowel, apply the plaster in thin, even coats. Start from a corner and work your way across the ceiling.
8. Smooth the Plaster Use a straight edge or trowel to smooth the plaster, working out any air bubbles or excess material.
9. Let it Dry Allow the plaster to dry according to the manufacturer"s instructions.
10. Sand and Finish Once dry, lightly sand the plaster to achieve a smooth finish. Apply paint or finish as desired.

Although plastering a ceiling can be intimidating, it can also be rewarding if done correctly. Start by using the right tools, such as scrapers and sanders, to remove the previous coating, whether it be paint, wallpaper, or plaster. After that, give the surface a thorough cleaning to guarantee the new plaster sticks well. Use a high-quality filler to smooth out any cracks and create an even base. Lastly, use thin, even layers of plaster, letting each one dry completely before applying the next. Smooth, polished ceilings are achievable with perseverance and attention to detail.

How to remove old plaster?

It is not necessary to remove old plaster if it adheres well and does not crumble or fall off in pieces. If the following circumstances are met, it ought to be removed:

  1. If the plastered base is covered with cracks, the material crumbles or does not hold well. If not the entire surface has defects, but only some areas, you can remove the plaster only from problem areas. You can understand how strong the coating is by tapping the entire area treated with the solution with a hammer. If the composition does not fall off under the hammer, a dull sound from the blows will serve as a guide, which will indicate problem areas.
  2. If the ceiling is affected by fungal mold. To get rid of fungus, you will need to completely beat off the plaster layer to the base, dry it, then treat it with antifungal impregnation.

To take off the previous coating, you’ll need:

  • hammer;
  • axe;
  • perforator;
  • Bulgarian;
  • putty knife;
  • sponge or brush;
  • spray;
  • ladder;
  • protective equipment (respirator, goggles, gloves, hat/bandana/helmet).

Mechanism of action:

  1. Cover all objects in the room with film or newspapers. This measure will allow you to quickly remove garbage after completion of work.
  2. Tap the entire surface with a hammer to remove any weakened areas. Cut down strong areas with an ax.
  3. If a coarse-grained composition was used, it is removed with a hammer and a spatula alternately.
  4. To clean large areas, use a grinder with a diamond cutting wheel. Using a grinder, mutually perpendicular cuts are made on the base, weakening the strength of the coating. You can use a hammer drill with a special attachment operating in the “impact” mode.

Suggestion:

  • To reduce dust during work, it is necessary to periodically spray the treated areas with water from a spray bottle.
  • To make the plaster come off better, it is recommended to moisten the surface with water before removing it, wait 2-3 hours, then moisten again.

Preparing the surface for plastering

  1. Remove old composition. Sand by hand with coarse sandpaper. Professionals use a grinding machine for this. Cleaning allows you to get rid of the remnants of old material and make the surface more even and smooth. Before applying a new leveling layer, the ceiling is washed with warm water using a sponge and dried thoroughly.
  2. Apply an antiseptic solution. Antiseptic helps prevent mold (how to get rid of mold on plaster once and for all?). It is recommended to use a foam roller to apply the antiseptic solution. Experts advise treating with an antiseptic solution not only those areas that have “bloomed”, but the entire surface, paying special attention to joints and cracks. When purchasing a solution, it is better to choose an antiseptic primer.
  3. Padding. After applying the antiseptic solution, the ceiling must dry completely. After this, a primer is applied.

The installation of specialized beacons is advised to guarantee an entirely level surface. Beacons installed ensure a ceiling free of drops and save time during repairs.

How to apply the solution correctly?

As directed by the manufacturer, you must add water to the completed mixture in order to prepare a plastering solution. Water is added to the mixture, not the other way around. You can use the following to stir:

  • special construction mixer (the most effective device);
  • a regular drill with a mixer attachment.

The solution is applied to the area between beacons if they are used in the task.

  1. The solution is applied with a spatula. The procedure is repeated as many times as necessary to completely fill the surface – so that there is a slight excess of leveling material. It’s very good when it protrudes a little beyond the beacons.
  2. Excess is removed with a spatula. To do this, the tool must be moved along the surface in a zigzag manner, moving it towards you. Do not make a layer thicker than 2 cm.
  3. After treatment, you must wait some time, as the layer must dry completely, and then you can begin to re-apply the solution.

A mesh must be positioned in between the layers in order to strengthen the coating. After the base layer of mortar is applied, but before it dries, it is placed, and plaster composition is lightly rubbed over it.

How to do it without beacons?

Plastering without beacons is only advised by masters to those who possess both a great eye that has grown with time or is innate, as well as a great deal of finishing work experience. Not only do beacons contribute to a more level surface, but they also save a great deal of time. If they are not used, the repairs will take longer to complete because the flaws found during the work will need to be fixed.

Using beacon-free plastering calls for small spaces. The error will be very noticeable when working with a large area. Within a square, plastering is done in a circular motion. The ideal rule for this is a small one. Using a ceiling without beacons is a little easier because irregularities won’t be as noticeable as on walls.

Experts recommend using a thicker solution for plastering ceilings without beacons than for walls. Using a spatula or small rule, it is carefully rolled out rather than thrown onto the surface.

Stretching the thread between the ceiling nails is required to regulate the evenness of the layer application. It will also be beneficial to hang a small lamp on the wall close to the ceiling. The play of light allows you to detect even the smallest imperfections and make timely corrections. It is best to place the lamp to one side of the treated area. There is an immediate need to correct the found error.

How to align?

Gypsum-based leveling compounds are advised by experts because they are less dense than cement and nearly never crumble or break after drying. These combinations can be found as a dry powder.

  1. Compositions with a gypsum base dry quickly, so the amount of mixed solution should be such that it can be applied and leveled within 20-40 minutes.
  2. Mixing basins and buckets, tools must be washed after each kneading. The water must also be clean.
  3. In warm water, the finished mixture hardens faster. The most suitable is water at room temperature.
  4. After final mixing, water or dry mixture must not be added to the solution.
  5. Coarse-grained plaster is applied in a layer of at least 5 mm. It can be applied in several layers, but each one must dry thoroughly before applying the next one.
  6. The finished solution is applied to the ceiling by moving towards you.
  7. To level the composition, the rule must be kept with the beveled edge towards you. The thickness of the layer will depend on the angle of inclination of the rule: the steeper it is, the thinner the layer.
  8. Irregularities in the area of ​​​​the junction of walls and ceiling are smoothed out with a hard spatula.
  9. If it is necessary to apply a second layer of plaster for leveling, then the first layer is treated with a plaster comb or a notched trowel before drying to obtain a relief.
  10. After drying, the last plaster layer is sanded with a float with a plaster mesh attachment or sandpaper and treated with finishing putty.

How to repair cracks?

If imperfections develop on the surface after the plaster layers have dried, they can be removed by nearly perfectly leveling the surface:

  • Small cracks slightly expanded with a spatula and filled with a special solution. The solution is sold in construction stores and has the words “crack filler” in its name. After filling the crack with mortar, the surface is rubbed down and leveled into the same plane as the rest of the ceiling.
  • For deep cracks the old coating from the damaged area is completely removed. The cleaned surface is primed. After the primer layer has dried, plastering and application of the finishing material are carried out.

Although plastering a ceiling may appear like an overwhelming undertaking, with the appropriate methods and supplies, it can be a rewarding and manageable project. A seamless and polished finish can be guaranteed by adhering to the instructions provided in this article. To ensure a smooth surface for the new plaster to adhere to, begin by carefully scraping off the old coating.

After removing the old coating, pay attention to caulking any fissures. This is a necessary step to guarantee consistency and avoid problems later on. To get the best results, use high-quality filler and tools, and take your time smoothing the surface. Not only will properly sealed cracks improve the look of your plastered ceiling, but they will also make it more durable.

Lastly, carefully and uniformly apply the plaster. For an impeccable finish, uniform thickness and fluid application are essential. To achieve a perfectly smooth ceiling, be patient when sanding and remember to let each layer dry completely before applying the next. You can have a stunning plastered ceiling that complements the overall design of your house with meticulous planning and execution.

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Timur Kiselev

Professional builder with 15 years of experience. I know everything about the construction of houses, cottages, bathhouses and other buildings. I will be happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

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