PREPWORK, PREPWORK !!
I have returned from the supply room with the tools and supplies we will need to prep this room. The rule of thumb is patch-sand-prime-caulk-paint-admire-brag. However, this rule, like your thumb, can be broken if we aren't careful. So let's be careful and let's get started.
With the ready mixed wallboard compound (mudd) and a four inch putty knife in hand let's cruise the walls looking for gouges, dings, small holes, small cracks and the like.....… Found some!!
The object here is to fill the damaged area with compound and remove the excess from the wall around it. Scoop up a small amount of compound onto the putty knife and force the compound into the damaged area with a little pressure on the knife. Next make three even strokes across the area, one from top to bottom, one from left to right and one from right to left. Do not make the common mistake of over working the patch. Do not gob. Two light applications are better than one gob. Gobs will require a lot of sanding later and we don't want that.
It's fill, stroke, and forget it untill tomorrow.
I have also noticed some "nail pops" in the drywall. They have nothing to do with the ends of your fingers but they can be a problem. If you sight down the wall they appear as little bubbles or bumps often in a row. It seems that the drywall nails are trying to escape, but in reality the wood behind the wall has shrunk with time, causing the nails to push outward.
PREPWORK (continued)
We will simply hammer them back into the wood until we leave a slight depression in the wall. Now we can fill them as we would any other ding or gouge.
The one plaster wall in this room needs a little more attention than the drywall. I still have my drywall compound and putty knife in hand. (forget about patching with plaster). I've noticed several cracks near the bottom of the wall and a serious looking offence near the top. Let's start with the cracks. This repair is going to require a special tool.... A can opener. A pre-pop top run of the mill old fashioned can opener. Although about the only thing they open now is canned milk, I'm sure you have one.
We need to widen the crack to a "V" shape before we apply the compound. This will provide a seat for the compound and hopefully prevent the crack from returning to haunt us. Start at the top of the crack with the point of the can opener and pull down the length of the crack. Keep pressure on the opener and the point will follow the cracks path. Repeat this three or four times. Load the putty knife with compound and fill the crack with downward strokes. Next make a couple of long continuous strokes from top to bottom and from bottom to top to remove the excess compound.
Again, do not over work the patch.
SERIOUS OFFENCES
Remember the serious offence at the top of this plaster wall that I mentioned earlier. Well, I'm looking at it. It looks as if a leaking roof was the culprit. The damaged area is dry and since it rained yesterday I will assume that the roof leak has been fixed. I know it is water damage because when water gets behind a plastered wall or ceiling it loosens the bond between the base plaster coat and the finish plaster coat. The finish coat will crack up and fall away. I have also noticed a white powdered build up around the edges of the area, a definite sign of water damage to plaster.
With this one inch stiff putty knife lets remove all the loose plaster. Now tap around the edges of the area we've removed with the putty knife. If it sounds hollow we need to remove some more, if it sounds solid we've got it all.
OK. sounds solid to me.
This fix will require several applications of drywall compound so do not even try to make a perfect patch with the first application. With the four inch putty knife apply the compound to the center of the area, now pull the compound out past the edges in all directions. Very good , let's leave it for now.
We have applied the first coat of compound to all the needy areas on the walls , and it's getting late. The compound needs to dry and we need to clean up our tools. Good painters consider cleaning up as part of a days work. Always allow time to clean up and organize your tools and materials before you run out of gas. You will thank yourself in the morning. With everything squared away...close the door and forget about this room until tomorrow.
