DIY ceiling alignment: methods and materials

There are several ways to create a perfectly flat surface without differences. Conducting construction work will not be difficult, and additional training is not necessary. It is not always worth contacting specialists. If you try, then all the procedures can be done with your own hands. It is only necessary to prepare the required material and tools.

In order to avoid mistakes, do not rush. Leveling the ceiling is quick, but subject to the instructions at hand. Expert advice will be a good complement for those who do not have experience in this field.

Ceiling alignment methods

You can get a flat and smooth surface using several techniques. Modern people prefer several options. We will consider them below:

• Putty. It is quite suitable if there are minor differences on the working surface, not more than two centimeters. Well, this method helps to remove cracks and seams between the plates.
• Plaster. Here you can choose any composition - cement or gypsum. Thus, it is realistic to remove more significant differences, up to five centimeters.
• Drywall sheathing. This method helps to remove large irregularities, because the frame is pre-mounted. Insulation and sound insulation are laid in it. Most often, this method is used.
  

What to choose?

The choice of the method of leveling the ceiling should be taken seriously, although this is not a difficult task. The main thing you need to rely on is the errors and roughnesses of the entire surface. The process itself is built in three ways:

• Laser level application. These are modern technologies. You need to start from one edge and advance to the second, paying attention to the slope and plumb.
• The level is marked in two corners. After that, even horizontal lines are drawn from them on the remaining walls (so that they become a single point in the last corner).
• The maximum difference, from the marks to the ceiling. Based on the result, they make the choice of the method that will be suitable.

In the presence of gaps between the floors, they are well plastered, even with a large gap. When choosing a method of work, it is necessary to take into account all the nuances of its working surface. Sometimes some apply several methods of leveling the ceiling at once. Without experience, you need to approach the tasks individually, taking into account each feature.

Surface preparation

Repair and alignment of the ceiling with your own hands begins with preparatory work. It doesn’t matter which method will be applied. This stage, performed correctly, will help to make the remaining actions easier. How much time is required for this will depend on the state of the ceiling. If this coating is in the form of a water-based paint or lime, then it will have to be completely removed.

It is necessary to apply warm water to the surface using any spray gun, rag or brush. It is worth waiting for the time when it is absorbed and the paint swells. After work is done with an iron spatula. With them we will remove the old surface. When this is done, the surface is washed with a rag, treated with a primer mixture.

Today, stores have special formulations for removing paint. In addition, whiteness or a weak solution of alkali helps well. In the complex, such actions will help remove dirt. Priming is required. This will help to make the adhesion to the surface reliable while further leveling the ceiling with putty yourself. Wallpaper is cleaned in the same way.

It is better to apply the primer in several layers, and then wait until it completely dries. How long will it take? This information is on the packaging.

If paint was applied to the ceiling, then it can be dealt with using grinders using a nozzle. In the process, a lot of dust appears, but the effect will be ideal. We must not forget about personal safety equipment (respirator). This procedure removes some irregularities. After these works, the surface is washed, dried and primed.

Wallpaper is easier to handle because special products are available. The old surface is processed, the required time is maintained and is removed with the help of a spatula. It also happens that the coating begins to peel off, while one layer remains in its original place. To remove it, you need to repeat wetting. As soon as the main one is removed, the coating is washed with water and primed. Only after this can you begin to align the ceiling for painting.

Work on a surface with putty

This method is effective for small differences, as well as when removing seams before the finishing application of paint. Do-it-yourself leveling of the ceiling with putty does not allow the application of a layer of more than two centimeters. If this is violated, then after a while such a layer will begin to crack and fall off. Everything is done on a prepared and primed surface. Otherwise, the clutch will be ineffective.

In the presence of seams and cracks in which the plaster is not held securely, they are treated. It is necessary to clean up so that there are no errors. The primer must be applied. Do not leave greasy stains and rust. There are special formulations to effectively get rid of them:

• If it is greasy pollution, laundry soap is used. You need to create a solution using 100 grams of the product per liter of water. The solution is applied to the stain, aged and washed.
• Rust. Hydrochloric acid helps well, after application it is necessary to withstand for a long time to remove any reminders of such a stain. After the surface is washed. Some purchase special products for car bodies. According to reviews, the effect is good.
• White stains. Acetic acid of small concentration copes with them. After processing, time is waited for, and the composition is removed. The surface is washed with plain water.
• Fungus. On sale there are special tools that help remove such an education. After the surface is washed, an antiseptic is applied and dried.
• Dirt and soot are washed well with laundry soap. After application, the surface is washed with plain water.

Tools and materials

In the process, you will need the following:

• Putty for start and finish application.
• Spatulas. Two is enough, but it is important that they be of different widths.
• A container to knead the composition, and a mixer to create a homogeneous mass.
• Tape at the seams.
• Sandpaper.
• Construction level.

Before you start leveling the ceiling of an apartment or house with putty, it is worthwhile to purchase a suitable mixture. You need to consider your abilities and skills. Some get ready-made options, although you can work with dry ones, making the required composition with your own hands.

Putty process

It is carried out in several stages:

1. Need to prepare a solution. If it is a dry composition, then dilute according to the instructions.
2. Pay attention to small cracks and seams. An adhesive tape is placed in them. After starting work on the entire surface. Large pieces are neatly aligned. The resulting area is dried. The time is indicated on the packaging of the composition. Then they clean out with sandpaper (but only in the presence of large differences).
3. Waiting time for drying. If necessary, apply another layer. Then you need to part the topcoat. It is applied with a thickness of not more than two millimeters. Surplus immediately removed.
4. The last step is performed as soon as the surface dries completely. It is necessary to wipe with a sandpaper, and then check the coating with a lamp so that there are no glare and irregularities.

Such a finish alignment of the ceiling for painting is quite suitable for whitewashing and wallpapering. If the finish surface is whitened, then the putty should, after drying, acquire the same color.

Stucco application

You can choose a mixture for leveling the ceiling on the basis of gypsum or cement. This method is effective when the errors on the surface are more than five centimeters. Plaster is better connected to the surface and does not fall off. Thus, it becomes a flat surface, large chips and cracks are removed. As in the first embodiment, a primer and level marking are used.

What do you need to prepare?

Here's what you need to have on hand:

• Composition based on gypsum or cement.
• Reinforcing mesh and dowel-nails.
• Drill.
• Construction mixer and mixing tank.
• At least two spatulas of various sizes.
• Sandpaper.
• Level.

Getting to work

Builders recommend preparing the surface well so that the grip is as reliable and tight as possible. Each process goes through several basic steps:

1. It is necessary to stretch the mesh over the entire surface of the ceiling. It is worth making a marking, screw in the dowels. Work takes place under the ceiling, and so that dust does not get into your eyes, you should take care of personal protective equipment.
2. A solution should be prepared. It is necessary to follow the recommendations from the instructions. It is worth initially pouring a solution, and already add water to it. It is better to pre-calculate how much composition is needed on the surface to be treated so as not to get too much or not to have a shortage. Using a drill with a nozzle or a construction mixer, mix the compositions to a homogeneous mass. It won’t take much time.
3. It’s worth starting work from the lowest angle. The solution is applied with a wide spatula over the mesh. It is necessary to press down so that the solution enters the spaces. It is not necessary to make a maximum leveling in one layer. It is better to do several applications. The first layer is used to mesh tightly on the surface. Each subsequent must be thoroughly dried, so that the clutch is reliable.
4. The second layer already completely hides the grid and makes the surface even. Do not cook a lot of composition. Each stage is a new batch. If the composition begins to thicken, you can not add water.
5. The last layer is rubbed as much as possible to make the surface smooth. Press down and rub along the perimeter of the ceiling. So the finish will be easier to do. It is worth waiting until the surface has completely dried.

Only after that they pass with a primer and apply the final finish. Depending on what will be applied, work is underway on the ceiling.

Using Drywall

This method allows you to align any ceiling to smoothness. In this way, an error of not more than five centimeters is removed or heat and sound insulation are performed. This design implies the presence of a frame. It can be made of iron profiles and wood. The use of hanging brackets allows you to do everything strictly according to the level. The only negative is a 10-centimeter lower ceiling. Not in every home this is permissible.

Before you begin, you will have to calculate the required number of sheets. For this, the ceiling area is taken. It is worth adding a little bit or a mistake. Some recommend a preliminary sketch or outline. You will need to purchase guides and skirting boards.

Getting to work

Before you create a frame, prepare the surface, but there is no need to trim too. Only peeling pieces are removed. Further, everything is phased:

1. The guide profile is set.
2. After the suspensions are attached along the lines.
3. Start in the guide profile with the flat side down. Check the evenness and fix. Most often used self-tapping screws.
4. After that, sheets of drywall are simply fixed.

When the surface is completely finished, seams remain. Before finishing, they should be masked with putty.

Conclusion

As you can see, each work has its own characteristics. It is worth doing everything in stages, so that it does not turn out incorrect execution or destruction after a short period of time. Aligning the ceiling with drywall or something else is a simple procedure that everyone can handle, even without experience.