A worn or water-damaged plaster ceiling can be an eyesore in a home. Besides having to endure the unsightly cracks and water stains, you also end up with exposed wires that were once hidden behind the plaster. When left long enough, the boards may sag and eventually collapse. Luckily, plaster is easy and cost-effective to repair. However, before embarking on the project, beware of the following mistakes that may end up costing you money in the future.
Failure to Address the Source of Damage
Leaks are the leading cause of plaster ceiling damage. A leaking roof or plumbing pipe soaks the plasterboard and causes it to pull away. Over time, the ceiling starts to crumble. Ignoring a leaking pipe or roof will only lead to future ceiling repairs, which will cost you more money. Thus, identify and fix the problem before repairing your plasterboard ceiling.
Incorrect Removal of Damaged Plaster
With water leaks, you only need to remove the damaged plasterboards and replace them with new ones. However, this isn't always simple. When removing worn plaster, it's possible to damage the boards that are in good condition. This happens when you use the wrong removal techniques. You have to replace more boards, which translates into a higher repair cost. To keep the costs down, exercise care when handling worn plaster.
Re-Fixing Soft Plasterboard
Water-damaged plaster is usually soft or crumbly. However, the condition of the ceiling varies depending on the extent of water damage. In a bid to lower repair costs, one may re-fix damaged plaster, especially if the boards aren't too soft or crumbly. While this may seem like a good idea, it can spell trouble in the future. The soft plaster will continue to wear over time, forcing you to undertake repairs again. If the wood lath that holds the boards has mould or mildew, the mould may spread to the wood lath underneath the new boards, creating a bigger problem in your home. Thus, get rid of all worn or damaged boards to prevent extensive repairs.
Improper Blending of Repaired Plaster
The repaired plasterboards should match with the rest of the ceiling. For this to happen, you need to employ proper patching techniques. You have to add and remove layers of plaster patch till the repaired area blends with the ceiling. Failure to do so leads to a spattered ceiling that lacks visual appeal.
Plaster ceiling repair may seem like an easy DIY job. However, committing any of the above mistakes can cost you a lot of money in future repairs. Save yourself the trouble and hire a restoration contractor for quality repairs.
For more information about plaster ceiling repairs, contact a local contractor.
