Today, virtually no area of life is complete without automation. This is especially true of work requiring heavy physical labor. Previously, in order to plaster the walls, you had to choose the right mortar yourself, using hand tools to stretch it over the surface. But today the so-called machine plaster is actively used. Reviews say that it greatly facilitates the work. It is especially important to use this technology in large construction projects, where large areas are subject to decoration.
Features
Machine wall plastering with the material involves aligning the internal and external surfaces of the walls and applying a decorative layer to them. There is special equipment that allows you to mix the solution and apply it to the walls.
The main advantage of this kind of finishing work is the speed of their implementation. An hour can average approximately 60 squares of surface. This means that the process of leveling the walls in an ordinary apartment will take only 1-2 days. Where can machine wall plastering be carried out? The reviews of the masters confirm that it is best to use this technology in large areas. The rate of plastering directly depends on the density of the mortar - the higher it is, the greater the load on the unit.
Differences
Let's dwell on this in more detail. When manually applying plaster, craftsmen usually prepare small portions of the mortar. This is due to the fact that the mixture sets very quickly. In this case, the finishing process is carried out according to the following principle: the solution is kneaded, applied to the walls and leveled. This procedure is repeated until all the walls in the room are aligned.
Using machine plaster allows you to immediately knead the right amount of mortar. This greatly speeds up the process. In addition, machine-applied plaster can significantly save on materials. The solution in this case will require significantly less than with manual alignment. This feature is explained by the fact that when mixing the mortar is saturated with air and becomes more voluminous. For manual finishing works, an average of 15 kg of plaster per square meter is required. For the engine room, only 13 kg will be enough. If work is carried out from scratch, then the plaster is applied in three layers. This way you can save up to 6 kg per square meter of surface.
Special mortars for machine plastering are cheaper than those used for manual application. This is a good machine plaster. Reviews confirm that using this technology can achieve good financial savings.
Expediency of use
What are the advantages of machine wall plastering? The feedback of experienced masters suggests that this method helps to significantly speed up the process and save on materials. However, it should be borne in mind that real benefits can only be felt if the area of the treated surface exceeds 900 square meters. The purchase of a special installation for work in an ordinary city apartment will simply be inappropriate. Of course, with a great desire, you can rent equipment.
Use of beacons
Why is this necessary? Automated plastering of walls should be done on paint beacons. These elements are mounted on the treated surface, which allows you to visually control the quality of the finish. Of course, you can do everything by eye, but at the final stage of the work, the walls will most likely have to be additionally aligned.
The thickness of the plaster layer is usually from 5 to 20 mm. This value is selected depending on the type of surface being treated and the desired effect.
Mix for plaster
The construction market today offers a wide selection of materials for leveling walls. Their cost is quite affordable. You can choose as powders that need additional dilution with water, and ready-made solutions. These materials are used for finishing structures made of reinforced concrete, brick, drywall, wood, cellular concrete and so on. Many mixtures can be used in the temperature range from 5 to 30 degrees. As a rule, machine-applied gypsum plaster is used, but mixtures of yellow sand, cement, etc. can also be taken. Various materials, as a rule, are added to building materials that increase the plasticity and viscosity of the mortar. In addition, the mixture has special components that protect the surface from the appearance of fungi and pathogenic bacteria.
Cement-sand plasters
What is their feature? Mortars, consisting mainly of sand and cement, are usually used for finishing facades.
Their main advantages are:
- high strength;
- resistance to temperature extremes;
- relatively low cost.
As for the shortcomings, they can be attributed to a long drying time and curing. In addition, after aligning the walls with such a composition, it is still necessary to apply the finish.
Gypsum-based mixtures
What can machine plaster be made of? It is desirable to select the materials in accordance with the specifics of the processed surfaces. For example, gypsum-based plaster is best suited for finishing dry walls indoors. The main advantage of such mixtures is the fast drying speed. It is only a few hours. In this case, the layer will gain strength in just 2-3 days. The advantages of this type of coating can also include porosity. Such a coating allows for good ventilation of the walls. As for the consumption, the gypsum plaster leaves much less than the cement. During mixing, the gypsum solution is saturated with oxygen and increases in volume. It requires much less. Another advantage is the lack of need for finishing. The main disadvantages of this material are its high cost and exposure to moisture.
Surface preparation
Let's dwell on this in more detail. How is wall plastering done by machine? The reviews of the masters confirm that the quality of the preparatory work is of great importance in this matter.
We list the main stages:
- First, the surfaces are thoroughly cleaned. For this purpose, it is necessary to remove all old coatings: paint, plaster, wallpaper. Concrete sagging and seams should also be removed. Eliminate all defects that are issued more than a centimeter.
- All fasteners are removed from the walls. Protruding pieces of reinforcement should be removed with a grinder. Other metal elements must be cleaned with a special brush and smeared with a corrosion inhibitor.
- The next step is priming the walls to improve adhesion. The composition is applied with a paint brush in two layers with an interval of 3-4 hours.
- Using the building level and plumb, it is necessary to check the horizontal and vertical surfaces. In addition, using templates, you should check the evenness of the angles. If deviations are found, they should be noted. Further plastering of the walls is carried out taking into account these indicators.
- At the final stage, beacons are installed. To fix them, the same mortar is used, with which the finish is carried out.
Hardware Setup
So how to do it right? How is wall plastering done by machine? The reviews of the repairmen indicate the need for preliminary adjustment of the equipment. The unit is usually installed in the center of the room, and then assemble. First, you need to put in place a container for mixing the solution. After that, a feed pipe is connected to its outlet. They put on a special nozzle. It should also be pre-selected. The width of this device will depend on the density and grain size of the solution. The larger this indicator, the wider the nozzle nozzle. After that, you can connect the device to the power supply. Then a dry mixture is poured into the container and water is added.
Plastering process
How is machine plastering done? Reviews, problems, options for solving them - this information, as a rule, is of interest to beginning masters. After mixing the solution, it is necessary to pick up the supply hose and direct it to the area to be processed. During the work, the nozzle must be kept at a distance of 30 cm. The mixture should fall on the wall at a right angle. After that, open the air valve or press the start button. The master must move along the wall. It is necessary to ensure that the layers are overlapped. To adjust the thickness of the plaster, you can change the speed of the gun. The larger it is, the thinner the layer will be. Cement plaster is applied in two runs of 5 mm. Between applications, several hours should pass. If plastering is carried out by a plaster composition, only one centimeter layer will be enough.
Alignment
How is machine-applied plaster leveled? Testimonials of experienced workers are recommended to proceed to this stage within the first hour after the work. If you do this later, the result will not be as perfect as we would like.
Gypsum machine plaster should level immediately. This procedure must be carried out before the material sets. Otherwise, alignment will take much longer. A rule is best suited for this purpose. They are carried out from top to bottom on the wall surface. At the same time, it is also necessary to monitor the lighthouses - they should be immersed in the concentrate at the same depth. Then you need to give some time to the solution so that it seizes. At this time, you can begin to process the internal and external corners. If you plan to give the surface a texture, then the wall at this stage must be treated with special smoothing machines, graters or figured terminals.
Final stage
This aspect should be given special attention, since the final result depends on it. After carrying out all the manipulations described above, you can start processing the surface with a trapezoidal rule. They polish the entire surface. This procedure allows you to remove all the prominent elements and complete the formation of the coating. Please note that the permissible deviation level is 1 mm per linear meter. If the tool during processing still drags along a mass of material, it is better to wait for the final setting of the mixture. If, when grinding, considerable efforts are required, then the surface is dry and must be treated with a damp sponge.
The next day, it is recommended that you finish. To do this, the surface of the walls is sprayed with water and left for 5 minutes. When it stops shining, you can proceed to further processing. After this, a special sponge grater is taken. This tool should go over the entire surface of the wall. As a result, droplets of turbid liquid, which is also called putty milk, should appear. After that, the surface is leveled again using a wide spatula. When the resulting coating will suit you in appearance, you can stop processing. If defects remain on the wall, it is necessary to apply a layer of finishing putty using narrow and wide spatulas. After about two days it will be possible to touch the wall.
The opinion of people using this method
What are the advantages of machine plastering? Reviews from professionals confirm that this technology helps to significantly speed up and facilitate the finishing process. The speed of work, compared with the manual method of applying plaster, increases 5 times. It is only necessary to adhere to the recommendations given by manufacturers of building mixtures. It should also be borne in mind that the use of this technology is impractical for the processing of small areas. You will get tangible benefits only when machining large-scale surfaces.