Home Improvement Assistance Request from DU Pros

[JM]

All,

At the request of my lovely wife $ (pronounced Ka-Ching), I tore apart one wall and part of the ceiling due to bubbling under the paint. We already had the flashing on the chimney fixed to take care of the water leak.

What I found was plaster on the ceiling had cracked and broken a few inches from the chimney and pulled from the lath. Any suggestions on how to go about fixing this without spending an absolute fortune?

Thanks in advance,
JM the Constructionally Challenged

[GOPisEvil]

1. There are these little disk things with a hole in the middle for a screw.

SLOWLY drive a screw into the disk and into the ceiling until it grabs. You're basically reattching the plaster to the lathe. After you have reattached it, then cover the disks with joint compound, smooth it out, sand and paint.

[JM]

3. Thanks...I saw that online somewhere, but...

...what to do with the parts that fell? I assume I can fill that section with drywall, right?

JM

[GOPisEvil]

6. I saw that repair on Ask This Old House.

They have a presence on A&E's website. Maybe they have video or a further explanation. This was to repair a large crack, not a whole section.

I would guess you could use drywall or a plaster patch for large areas.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Double post. Oops.

[No Mandate Here.]

4. The disks mentioned above are made to do this,

but if you can't find them, get a bunch each of a variety of fender washers, and some 1-1/8" drwall screws, and do as GOP-is-evil sez. Try each size until it works best, although you need to make sure the head of the screw doesn't pull through. Check at the store to ensure this.

The trick is to consolidate everything together, and then cover it up. When you are all done with the patch, sanding and cleaning up, then turn out the lights.

This secret trick of the trade always makes my work look a lot better.

for the part that came out, ... if the lath is still there and well attached, you can work a layer of mud into the lath and then skim it full- probably using a couple layers. It takes time and patience- and a dropcloth.

Then smooth and turn out the lights.

Actually, if you are careful to not add too much stuff, and avoid having to remove any, the process is relatively painless.

[Old and In the Way]

5. If it's not too big....puts some fiberglass matt open mesh in the

hole area and mud it. Might do 2-3 layers, feathering to the orginal surface. If you had a pic, it would help!

[GOPisEvil]

7. Or screen material like to repair a screen door.

That'll work, too.

[Old and In the Way]

8. Eggzactly...

:-)

[JM]

9. I'll try to post a pic, but...

...it is all around the chimney about 12-18" out from the wall. I am not sure mesh and mud would work on an area this size, but hey, that is why I asked! B-) I am not a remodeling expert, ,and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express recently.

JM