 In
years past, when a crack started in a wall or ceiling,
there wasn’t much you could do to stop it. But now,
there’s a device called a plaster washer that stops
cracks from spreading.
Plaster washers look like thin metal buttons and use
five-eighths-inch drywall screws to join cracked areas
and anchor them to wood laths or to joists and wall
studs. They can be used to reattach lath to studs or
joists and to reinforce strong plaster while repairing
or removing other areas.
To determine whether you can use them, knock on the
damaged area with a knuckle. If it sounds hollow, the
plaster probably is too loose to support repairs and
will need to be replaced with new plaster or drywall.
If you hear a solid thump, the plaster should be stable
enough for the wall washers to do their job. Just drive
them in wherever cracks meet until they reach the lath
or a stud.
After installing the washers, widen and undercut all
the cracks with a utility knife. Then vacuum debris
and cover both the crevices and the washers with joint
compound, using a three-inch wide putty knife.
Let it dry for a day. Then, tape over the compound
with fiberglass tape. Follow with one or two coats of
joint compound, feathering it out with a trowel.
If one of your walls is covered with chipped and flaked
paint or wallpaper, there’s an easy way to restore
the finish of the wall. A new canvas lining has been
developed which can hide imperfections and even out
the texture.
Use a putty knife to fill holes with joint compound
and sand until smooth. Then apply the special paint
or coating recommended by the lining manufacturer. Work
one area at a time so it doesn’t dry before you
apply the lining. Roll on the lining and finish with
another coat of paint. When the second coat has dried,
you’ll have a smooth surface to paint or wallpaper.
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