It’s important to begin your plaster water damage repair by finding and eliminating the source of the problem. If steps are not taken to seal up the leak that caused the initial plaster water damage problem, you may find yourself caught in an endless and tiresome cycle of plaster repair water damage over and over.
Plaster water damage generally begins when the surface of the plaster erupts into small bubbles due to moisture. Once the water recedes and the plaster dries, the surface will again harden causing the bubbles to be permanently etched into your wall or roof. Here’s how to perform a thorough plaster repair water damage operation.
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Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Scrape
Use a putty knife to scrape away all the bubbles and loose plaster from the damaged area. You may have to scrape your wall down to its bare bones if the damage is bad enough. The rule of thumb here is: If it’s loose, it comes off. This also includes any paint that may be peeling in the surrounding area. Try to slip your putty knife under the surface of the paint to see if it comes off in a film-like substance. If so, remove it completely.
Step 2: Dust
Take a cloth and remove as much dust as possible from the area. Dust can prevent the new coating of plaster from bonding with the surface of the wall.
Step 3: Seal
Especially in cases of water damage, it’s important to seal the area with a primer-sealer to inhibit any residual moisture. Sealing up the surface before re-plastering will also help to cover any stains that may remain and facilitate the bonding process between your new layer of plaster and the wall. Shellac or alkyd primer is ideal, although the former dries in under an hour and the latter takes almost a whole day to dry.
Step 4: First Coat
Completely repairing your wall will take several coats of plaster. The first coat is the most important, however, and if you get it right the other coats will be easier to apply. Mix up your setting compound and use a joint knife to spread it thinly over the entire area like cream cheese on a bagel. Leave only about a quarter inch covering with this first coat.
Scrape off any excess compound with your joint knife using parallel strokes that cover the entire surface area. Hold your knife at an angle of approximately 30 degrees and make firm and steady strokes. It’s okay if there are some uneven areas left by the edge of your knife – you can sand these off later once the compound dries. The important thing is to cover the area evenly and completely.
Step 5: Sand
Allow the compound to dry thoroughly then scrape off those uneven ridges with your joint knife using an upward stroke. A completely smooth surface is not the goal here; just try to remove any protrusions that may cause your second coating to be uneven. Use your cloth to remove any dust from the surface before applying the second coat.
Step 6: Second Coat
For the second coat and any coats following, apply the compound as before, but skim off the excess with strokes that are perpendicular to those done in the previous coat. This will help to ensure as smooth and element-proof a surface as possible in the end result. Once the last coat is dry, repeat the sanding process this time making the surface as smooth as you can get it.
Step 7: Finish
Apply another layer of primer-sealer to finish the job, and then feel free to paint the wall the color of your choice.
If damage continues to show, you may have to call a plaster repair water damage expert to assess and thoroughly repair the situation.
Hello, i am John and have over ten years experience in water damage clean up, water damage restoration and water damage mold. During my career i noticed that a lot of homeowners are uninformed about water damage and it's consequences. This site provides you with how-to guides and lots of information on water damage and everything what's involved.