Plaster Repair
Plaster is the covering given to the construction. So it’s needless to say that it should be done in a proper way.
Here are some guidelines while repairing plaster
1. Fill tiny holes
You can use a putty knife to apply spackling compound, available in small cans for touch-ups. Let dry. If the first coat shrinks as it dries and leaves a slight indentation. After that apply a second coat.
Sand lightly with fine sandpaper. Touch up with primer and paint.
2. Repair loose plaster
Remove any small, loose chunks of plaster and patch the holes. For large, loose areas, install the washers in concentric rings, starting where the plaster is firmly attached and working inward. Cover the area with joint compound.
To reinforce plaster along large cracks, install screws every 6 inches on both sides of the crack and about 1 inch away from it. Drill pilot holes with a 1/8-inch masonry drill bit. Cover the area with joint compound.
3. Mix compound
Use a setting-type joint compound such as Durabond 90 for all repairs other than tiny holes. Mix the compound in a bucket with water according to the directions. Depending on the quantity, use a potato masher, paint-mixing drill attachment or paddle mixer.
4. Fill holes and areas where plaster is missing
Fill a hole with compound to within 1/8 inch of the surface using a 6-inch spackle knife. Then scratch the wet compound in a crisscross pattern with the edge of your knife. When the scratched coat dries, apply a leveling coat.
For larger areas of missing plaster, measure a piece of drywall to fit the hole, cut the piece out with a utility knife, then screw it to the lath. Apply the compound in two stages and extend it about 2 inches onto the surrounding surface.
Apply two or three additional coats of compound, allowing complete drying between coats and feathering each coat over a wider area than the preceding one.
Use a pole sander or a similar pad sander with very fine sandpaper to smooth the compound after it has dried.
5. Repair hairline cracks
Apply a thin coat of compound on the wall along the crack. Embed paper drywall reinforcing tape in the compound immediately and smooth with a spackle knife.
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