Well Lee, There are loads of ways, you could make the patch a square or rectangle or you could try to make one odd shaped. RJ though had the right idea. I would mark out a square or rectangle, drive a number of screws deep into the plaster enough that the heads will be just below the surface just outside of the rectangle then with a chisel and mallet cut away the plaster around the rectangle, clear it all away and see how drywall fits. if too thin you can fir it out with something, hardboard, Masonite or plywood or something, you could cut away the lath and build it up with what ever you need, it all depends on how much there is in behind there.
Then you drop in your patch. It is not necessary to fill between the patch and the old plaster, I would sand the paint near the patch though. You will want to fill any large voids but remember the mud does shrink as it dries and any decent void will need several applications pushed hard in. Things like Polyfilla are pretty hard and make a pretty good fill for voids of any size. Then you spot fill screw holes. Again this usually should be done three times with a light sanding between because the plaster shrinks and even if you don't see it at the time you will when paint goes on.Then you tape and mud the seams all around the patch. I am comfortable enough with paper tape but there is fiber tape which is sticky on one side and this makes it easier to cover the seam. My only complaint with it is that it is thicker and therefore takes more mud to cover and feather out further to hide the seam. Remember too that if the patch is just a little proud or even a little shy you can skim coat over the lot. Finish Plaster isn't all that expensive. If the wall isn't all that big you might consider running drywall over the entire wall. Just fill in the broken part with some garbage to back up the new drywall. You might even just stick it up with construction adhesive or liquid nail. You could easily get away with 3/8ths but you will have to cut out for electrical outlets and trim out any windows or doors you pass. It might be a prettier solution. Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skype DaleLeavens Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. ----- Original Message ----- From: Lee A. Stone To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 9:25 PM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] On a more serious note -with older homes Dale, apparently this hole, if you would is a bit over 2 feet wide in some areas and a bit bigger in another spot. of course none are clean holes. . He has tried to sort of measure but he is thinking that 1/2 inch wall board is not thick enough. just like in the movies the Lady of the house went to Momma's for a few days and tomorrow it should be clear sailing for a small workforce to restore damages. then of course trying to match up a paint job , which I will not touch but the paintjob I found out today was done some ten years ago. His father in law near lost himself with laughter but all the Ladies of the family have no nice words to share. oh there is lath I forgot to say and not all of that is busted out . so I am guessing my skills will be moral support and telling him what I've read here and I can still mix mud if needed. thanks Lee -- CHUBBY CHECKER just had a CHICKEN SANDWICH in downtown DULUTH! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
