Hillman Group 41994, 25-Pack Zinc-Plated Plaster Washers, 25 Pieces

Product Information

First, locate the joists or studs and mark their location in the loose area. Push up the loose plaster and place 2-in. screws and the perforated plaster washers into the joists or studs about every 6 or 8 in. The convex washer will flatten as the screw tightens. If the plaster has a rough surface, you may need to first scrape the surface to get the washer to lie flat. Next, secure the loosened field to the lath between joists with more washers. Finally, skim-coat over the washers with drywall joint compound. It may take several coats and extra effort to create a smooth finish or mimic the existing texture. If the sagging is severe, meaning that it's hanging an inch or more away from the lath base, or if it covers a large portion of the ceiling, your best bet is to remove the old plaster and replaster the ceiling, or cover it with wallboard. Not an easy do-it-yourself project. Save yourself time and trouble — make the patch a square or rectangle, even though the hole may be a different shape. I make my own plaster washers using a section of plumber strapping (metal strapping perforated with holes for fasteners). First I shape the strapping into a dimple shape around a hole using a ball peen hammer against a gouged piece of wood. Then I trim the strapping into a small disk that is now concave.

Allow the plaster to dry overnight before gently removing the timber supports below. The ceiling can now be redecorated Substantial damage repairIf the sagging is slight, or covers a small area, you can reattach the plaster to the wood lath by using long drywall screws fitted with plaster washers. A plaster washer is a thin metal disk that increases the size of the head of a drywall screw so that it doesn't pull through the plaster. You thread the drywall screw through a plaster washer and then drive it through the plaster and into the ceiling joists, wall studs, or wood lath. The screw and washer pull the loose plaster tight against the framing, restoring the ceiling. By surrounding the area with plaster washers, you can stabilize the plaster so that it doesn't sag any further. Great tip! However,having grown up near there I am sure Don will appreciate the correct pronunciation of Macomb next time. The emphasis is on the second syllable: muh•COHM.

I use a Dremel tool with a diamond disk to make the the recess in the plaster to receive the washer. Be sure to use some sort of dust mitigation and wear a good dust mask, as this step can get messy. Secure the washers in the recesses with drywall screws. Install wallboard clips on the edges of the damaged wall by using the screws supplied with the clips.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

It's been said by everyone else, Plaster Washers. I have a 100+ year old house and keep a supply on hand. I can only say this was a waste electrons for the video. Be sure to cut away any protruding paper facing or crumbled gypsum core from the perimeter of the patch area.