Hello - I am looking for some advise on how to repair a plaster wall in my living room. The waIl is currently painted white. I would like to paint the room however, I noticed that the prior owners must have taken out a built in shelf on one wall, there is quite an indentation where the shelf was. I am not sure how to go about repairing the plaster wall. I just want to make it level so that I can't see the indentation anymore. The indentation roughly 3' by 3'. Any advise would be great.
Thanks!
COMMUNITY FORUM
If the existing patch is lower than the surrounding wall, see if there is at least one stud behind the patch (in the center) or maybe two studs (12" centers). if you find none, rip out the patch & start over by installing studs to mount a new drywall piece onto.
supporting wood should surround the opening for drywall support.
If the existing patch is lower than the surrounding wall, & is properly supported by studs, you will be able to skim coat the patch & wall, using a strait edge to check your work.
A rule of thumb that you can use is that 1/16" in 24" is not noticeable when finished.
If the existing patch is significantly higher (+ 1/8") than the surrounding wall, remove it & start over.
If the existing patch is less than 1/8" higher than the surrounding wall, you will be able to skim coat the wall.
Use drywall compound to do the skim coating, which may take a week to complete, so just apply thin coats (-1/8") to build it up.
supporting wood should surround the opening for drywall support.
If the existing patch is lower than the surrounding wall, & is properly supported by studs, you will be able to skim coat the patch & wall, using a strait edge to check your work.
A rule of thumb that you can use is that 1/16" in 24" is not noticeable when finished.
If the existing patch is significantly higher (+ 1/8") than the surrounding wall, remove it & start over.
If the existing patch is less than 1/8" higher than the surrounding wall, you will be able to skim coat the wall.
Use drywall compound to do the skim coating, which may take a week to complete, so just apply thin coats (-1/8") to build it up.
