How to Fix a Plaster Ceiling

Plaster ceilings are subject to cracking and can sag away from the lath to which they were attached. It is possible to repair plaster ceilings using drywall sheeting instead of plaster.

Step 1 – Assess the Extent of the Damage

Check the extent of the damage and decide if you want to go to the trouble of repairing the plaster in the original way (usually because of the age) which will require an expert.

Step 2 – Protect the Floor

Cover the floor below the damaged part of the ceiling and remove the damaged plaster. As the plaster is removed you will expose the lath and joists.

Step 3 – Mark out a Work Area in the Plaster

Carefully convert the area of removed plaster into as close to a rectangle as you can. Use the putty knife and a straightedge to score the rectangular shape into the plaster and then use the hammer and chisel to cut the old plaster away in as straight lines as possible.

Step 4 – Cut the Sheetrock to Size

Cut the sheetrock to fit into the rectangle you have just made in the ceiling—make it as tight a fit as possible. Take a note of the position of the joists and mark them on the underside of the sheetrock.

Step 5 – Secure the Sheetrock

Present the sheetrock to the hole and secure it to the joists using screws spaced 4 to 6 inches apart. The sheetrock can also be screwed to the lath.

Step 6 – Jointing Compound

Apply jointing compound around the sheetrock and allow it to dry for 24 hours. Don’t worry about any slight shrinking that might occur.

Step 7 – Blend the New Surface into the Old

Apply more jointing compound and feather it out onto the plaster to create a continuous surface and leave it to dry and then, if necessary apply one more coat and let that dry.

Step 8 – Final Check on the New Surface

Smooth the surface using the sanding blocks and take care to check for ridges and bubbles. A final light coat of jointing compound might be needed to finish the job off let it dry out completely before the last sanding.

Step 9 – Finishing Touches

Treat the whole ceiling with a light primer so that the repaired patch cannot be noticed. To really put the final touch you can paint the ceiling with ceiling white which will make the repair invisible.

Although you have not used the original materials you have performed a very effective plaster ceiling repair that will last.