How to Repair Plaster on a Home
- 1). Pull off as much of the broken plaster as possible by hand.
- 2). Cut straight, squared off lines around a hole in the plaster with a hammer and chisel. Tap the hammer lightly so as not to create cracks extending from the hole.
- 3). Vacuum dust and debris from the lath or wire mesh surface, using a shop vacuum.
- 4). Cut a piece of wire mesh to the exact size of the hole with tin snips if there is no wire mesh in the hole.
- 5). Secure the wire mesh to the lath, using a heavy-duty staple gun.
- 6). Apply a thick layer of joint compound, pressing it deeply into the wire mesh and making it thick enough so it is even with the wall surface.
- 7). Apply self-stick fiberglass mesh tape to the edges of the patch.
- 8). Apply a second, thin layer of joint compound over the patch and tape with a flexible putty knife. Extend the joint compound 1 inch past the tape, feathering it at the edges. To match an existing texture, wet a medium-size paintbrush, press it into the wet joint compound and brush in a circular pattern to match a swirl design or press the brush into the wet joint compound to create a rise-and-fall texture. To create a smooth finish, allow the joint compound to dry completely, usually four to six hours, and use a fine-grade sandpaper to smooth and even out the patch, making it flush with the existing wall.
- 9). Press joint compound into wall cracks with a flexible putty knife until it is flush with the existing wall; apply self-stick fiberglass mesh tape over the compound. Apply a second, thin layer of joint compound over the tape and either match the texture with a wet paintbrush or allow it to dry and then sand smooth.
- 10
Prime the patch and paint to match the wall color.