During repairs of any complexity at homeThe master may have questions about how to deal with cracks in the ceiling and walls. The result of many days of work on decorating an apartment sometimes depends on the quality of their sealing.
Cracks in the ceiling can be caused by different thingsreasons: due to the movement of the ceilings, poor quality finishing or due to violations in the installation technology. The nature of the cracks in the ceiling can be different and most often depends on the material from which the ceiling is made, on the quality of the plaster and compliance with the technology, on reasons beyond the control of the builders, etc. In any case, it will be necessary to process and eliminate these defects. It is quite possible to do this with your own hands.
Methods for repairing cracks in the ceiling
There are several ways to fix the problem yourself:
Small cracks in the ceiling can be repaired using putty.
Return to Contents</a>How to prepare for work?
Tools for installation and repair of plasterboard.Before starting work to eliminate defects, it is necessary to carefully assess their dimensions: assess the condition of the plaster, find out the true width and depth of the crack. After assessment activities, select an acceptable method for repair and start purchasing and preparing such materials and tools as:
- gypsum mixture dry for puttying (Ceresite or others);
- reinforcing mesh;
- sealant, foam or other fillers;
- PVA glue;
- priming mixture of deep penetration;
- spatulas;
- solution tank;
- spray with water.
The peeling part of the plaster needs to be removed.completely to the layers that have retained their strength. A deep crack caused by the displacement of the floor slabs should be cleaned of plaster, putty, decorative coating, etc. The defect between the gypsum boards should be freed from serpyanka or reinforcing tape, if any, cleaned and chamfered with a sharp knife from the edges of the adjacent gypsum boards. The surfaces to be repaired should be thoroughly cleaned of dust using a spray bottle with water. This measure is necessary due to the fact that modern putty mixtures are made on the basis of gypsum and have low adhesion to a dry surface. Neglecting such a trifle as removing dust and wetting the surface will lead to the formation of a new crack in the ceiling after the repair of the one just eliminated. Return to the table of contents</a>
Technology for repairing defects in the ceiling
Deep cracks are filled with polyurethane foam,sealant or a rag soaked in PVA glue. Small cracks should be carefully filled with a putty mixture prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions using a spatula, rubbing it in firmly to ensure that the cavity inside is filled. The mixture protruding onto the surface of the ceiling is removed with the same spatula and the area around the repair site is leveled as carefully as possible. After drying for 24 hours, the puttied crack and the adjacent areas are sanded with sandpaper, achieving smoothness and removing possible irregularities. After this, the ceiling can be painted or finished in another way. Deep cracks that occur due to shrinkage of the building in new buildings will have to be repaired differently:
Crack sealing scheme.If cracks appeared as a result of peeling plaster or paint, then a primer composition should be applied to the cleaned and moistened area, and then a layer of putty mixture, filling the recess flush with the remaining coating. It is convenient to do this with a wide spatula or rule, running it over the entire surface of the area being repaired at once. If the recess is deep enough, it is best to fill it in several stages, slightly drying the previous layer, the surface of which is not leveled. After completing the work, the putty should dry within 24 hours.
Repair of peeling plaster.Then, use the finishing mixture to fill in small cracks, if any, by applying and leveling a thin layer of putty. After drying, it should be sanded and painted. Fill the cracks between the chamfered plasterboard sheets with the putty mixture, level the surface. Apply a reinforcing mesh or serpyanka to the seam and apply a layer of the finishing mixture. Wait for it to dry for 12-24 hours. Apply the primer in 1-2 layers. Putty with a thin layer of the finishing mixture. Level it, dry it and sand it until smooth. If it is impossible to qualitatively repair the crack in the ceiling with your own hands, you will have to glue decorative polystyrene tiles to the ceiling. To calculate the number of tiles, draw a ceiling plan to scale and apply a grid of lines with a step equal to the size of the tile on the same scale. You can replace the tiles with wallpaper or glass fiber for painting, but in these cases you should remember that the crack caused by the displacement of the floor slabs or walls will increase and cause the wallpaper to peel off, tear, break some of the tiles and other troubles. In new buildings, the process of building shrinkage can last for several years and only after its completion will it be possible to qualitatively eliminate the defects caused by it and make final repairs to the cracks.</ ul>
