| Drywall Repair |
How to Repair a Water Damaged Ceiling
Ben Spofford, Housecalls Home Services
Ben Spofford, Housecalls Home Services
Drywall ceiling repairs can be tricky, even for an experienced drywall
handyman. This job is a good example of a previous repair attempt that
failed. As in many of these types of repairs it is essential to have the
right tools, proper brushes and a knowledge of how to apply texture.
A ceiling repair should blend in and not be obvious. At times there may
be a texture or a pattern that is unusual and may not be an exact match
but 99% of the time if done properly it will never be noticed.
We begin with the ceiling at the left. Though it is not too easy to see the
left side of the ceiling has a patch attempted by others. The picture
below is a close up of the area. The cracks and stains are clearly visible.
handyman. This job is a good example of a previous repair attempt that
failed. As in many of these types of repairs it is essential to have the
right tools, proper brushes and a knowledge of how to apply texture.
A ceiling repair should blend in and not be obvious. At times there may
be a texture or a pattern that is unusual and may not be an exact match
but 99% of the time if done properly it will never be noticed.
We begin with the ceiling at the left. Though it is not too easy to see the
left side of the ceiling has a patch attempted by others. The picture
below is a close up of the area. The cracks and stains are clearly visible.
STEP 1.
It must be determined if the source of the water damage has been
repaired. If so, the first step is to apply a coat of stain sealer. Water stains,
as in many types of stains, can be indelible. If simply painted over with
available, the best ones are non water-based, such as Zinser, Bullseye,
Pro-Block, to name a few. Apply one medium coat and allow to dry.
STEP 2.
In some repairs it may be necessary to remove drywall and install a new
piece. In our repair pictured here it is already done. Now we want to apply
tape and plaster over the cracks. My preference for this type of repair is
fiberglass mesh tape. It is self-stick, easy to apply and very strong.
It must be determined if the source of the water damage has been
repaired. If so, the first step is to apply a coat of stain sealer. Water stains,
as in many types of stains, can be indelible. If simply painted over with
available, the best ones are non water-based, such as Zinser, Bullseye,
Pro-Block, to name a few. Apply one medium coat and allow to dry.
STEP 2.
In some repairs it may be necessary to remove drywall and install a new
piece. In our repair pictured here it is already done. Now we want to apply
tape and plaster over the cracks. My preference for this type of repair is
fiberglass mesh tape. It is self-stick, easy to apply and very strong.
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STEP 3
On top of the tape is the first coat of plaster (joint compound). In
this job I used Durabond 20, the number indicates working time.
It dries quickly and additional coats can be applied right away.
The first coat is thinner than subsequent coats, usually three in
total.
STEP 4
Once the tape dries the next step is to get the ceiling as level and
smooth as possible. For this I use a wide knife, 12-15" wide. The
plaster is pulled evenly across the area directly over the texture. It
is important to get consistency, even lines and smooth coats. If
done right there is very little sanding involved.
On top of the tape is the first coat of plaster (joint compound). In
this job I used Durabond 20, the number indicates working time.
It dries quickly and additional coats can be applied right away.
The first coat is thinner than subsequent coats, usually three in
total.
STEP 4
Once the tape dries the next step is to get the ceiling as level and
smooth as possible. For this I use a wide knife, 12-15" wide. The
plaster is pulled evenly across the area directly over the texture. It
is important to get consistency, even lines and smooth coats. If
done right there is very little sanding involved.
STEP 5
Repeated layers of plaster (mud) are used until the broader area is
generally smooth. As mentioned it does not matter if adjacent texture
is plastered over. Generally I will take the area to be repaired and
extend the knife blade 3/4 of the width into the good area.
STEP 6
Finally, the final step is to apply the texture. In my arsenal I have 15 or
so different brushes for applying texture (see below). With
experience I know which brush for a specific texture. If you try this
repair my suggestion is to experiment with various brushes. For the
plaster it is wetted down say 1:1 water to mud. Once mixed I will use
a piece of drywall to test my batch. It may need more or less water to
get a perfect match.
The picture below is the finished product. Not a line or a shadow is
visible.
Repeated layers of plaster (mud) are used until the broader area is
generally smooth. As mentioned it does not matter if adjacent texture
is plastered over. Generally I will take the area to be repaired and
extend the knife blade 3/4 of the width into the good area.
STEP 6
Finally, the final step is to apply the texture. In my arsenal I have 15 or
so different brushes for applying texture (see below). With
experience I know which brush for a specific texture. If you try this
repair my suggestion is to experiment with various brushes. For the
plaster it is wetted down say 1:1 water to mud. Once mixed I will use
a piece of drywall to test my batch. It may need more or less water to
get a perfect match.
The picture below is the finished product. Not a line or a shadow is
visible.
Various types of brushes used in drywall and texture. To find the texture that most matches the job try a sample splotch on a piece of drywall or
cardboard. Once the general shpae is found then adjust the stiffness of the mix to get the best match.
cardboard. Once the general shpae is found then adjust the stiffness of the mix to get the best match.
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