How to putty walls and ceilings

During the repair, it almost always turns out that it is necessary to eliminate irregularities, damage to the surface of the walls and ceiling. Without sufficient knowledge, skills, special equipment and tools, it will be difficult to do this. And the quality of work performed by a novice will be very different from the puttying done by professionals.

But if you still decide to putty the walls or ceiling of your apartment yourself, then our advice is just for you.

Choosing tools and equipment

For work you will need:

• a mixer or drill with a mixing nozzle;
• a set of spatulas and rollers of different sizes (rollers will be needed when priming);
• a convenient container for mixing the mixture, this can be a bucket of the appropriate volume;
• a level to check the curvature of the walls;
• a rule, which will be useful for large irregularities;
• sandpaper of different grits.

In addition to these basic tools, you need to stock up on personal protective equipment: gloves, overalls, goggles, masks, and portable lamps with extension cords for additional lighting in the room.

Choosing putty

The retail chain offers a wide range of ready-made putty mixtures. It is worth giving preference to ready-to-use putty mixtures. Powder analogues, which were widely used a dozen years ago, are now almost not used.

Ready-to-use putty can be divided into two types depending on the stage at which it is applied:

• starting;
• finishing.

Its purpose becomes clear from the name itself. The first is used at the beginning of the process, immediately after priming the surfaces, and the second – at the final stage of the process.

To obtain a high-quality result, you need to purchase putty of both types. You can choose the manufacturer of such building mixtures yourself or consult with a sales consultant in the store.

It is not difficult to calculate the required amount. You need to know the total area of ​​the surface to be repaired and carefully read the recommendations on each container. All types of putty indicate the area for which this volume is designed. And then – simple mathematics.

Surface preparation

This stage is very important, since the final result largely depends on it. All walls and ceilings must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt, wallpaper residues, old paint and putty before applying the starting mixture.

Next, a primer is applied with rollers or brushes. This is a special liquid substance that can increase adhesion, that is, the ability of the wall and the future putty to stick together. Before the next stage, it is necessary to let all surfaces dry well or speed up this process with a construction hairdryer.

Applying the starting layer

The first step in puttying is applying the starting mixture. It is a pasty substance with a slightly coarser base. This allows you to level the surfaces, remove irregularities, eliminate cracks, holes and other defects. In the presence of significant damage, putty should be applied in several stages, since one layer should not be thicker than 1.5 cm. Before each subsequent puttying, the entire area should dry well.

The puttying process requires considerable skill:

• the mixture must be put on the spatula exactly as much as it can be applied at a time;
• the movements should be sweeping and confident;
• the hand pressure should remain the same throughout the work in order to achieve an even thickness of the starting layer;
• adjust the required size of the spatula: for large surfaces, use a wide tool, and for more delicate work – a narrower one.

The drying of the surfaces after the first stage should take place without drafts to avoid cracking. This can take a whole day.

Applying finishing putty

The final stage is designed to prepare all areas for subsequent painting or wallpapering. It must be remembered that if there are irregularities after the starting putty, the finishing mixture will not be able to correct this, since it is applied in a very thin layer.

The main rules when working at the final stage:

• accuracy and confidence;
• gradualness and uniform pressure during movements;
• good lighting at the required angle, which will allow better quality control.

The final touch to obtain an ideal result should be sanding the putty surface. This process is carried out after the finishing layer has completely dried, so a lot of dust is formed when performing such work. This is where safety glasses and a mask will come in handy.

Sanding can correct minor surface irregularities and achieve a perfectly smooth area. But if you have never done this, then you can very easily ruin all the previous work.

Special attention during puttying at all stages should be paid to external and internal corners, the ceiling. Here you cannot do without sufficient experience, no matter how many videos you watch and articles you read. Unless you will practice in utility rooms, where the quality of work is not of decisive importance.