Water Damaged Plaster? Here's How To Fix It

Water can be really hard on finished plaster. From ugly stains to peeling paint to sagging ceilings, you have a problem bigger than aesthetics alone. So, the obvious first step is to find the source of the water intrusion and fix that. Only then does it make any sense to proceed with the plaster repair.

In my experience, there are several common sources for leaks.

Plumbing leaks. If you can fix plumbing, you are ahead of the game. Otherwise, bring a professional in and get it done right. This may result in a hole or series of holes in your plaster. This can be disheartening, but they are not all that difficult to repair.

Roof leaks. There is hardly an old house that hasn't been visited by this accident one or more times. Usually it is the ceiling where the damage shows up. If you are lucky, you may only have some stains or a little peeling paint. But you may also have a larger problem, like pronounced sagging.

Water coming through the walls. When an exterior wall is masonry, like stone or brick, it can happen that water will wick through the wall and into the plaster coat on the inside. So you get bubbling of paint and powdering of the plaster, maybe even loosening of some of the veneer coat (outermost plaster layer).

Sometimes the root of the problem is defective rain gutters spilling water onto the wall. On wood framed walls, water can leak in around windows sometimes, showing up as stains, flaking, etc.

Now, about remedies.

First of all, as a do it yourself, you can do a perfectly adequate job of repairing your plaster using drywall compound and drywall tape. If you do it right, and you have dealt properly with the water sources, your plaster repair will last. You really don't need plaster to repair plaster.

You can use all-purpose drywall mud, or "hot mud," a setting type compound that is tougher than regular mud. With hot mud, mix small batches. When you have completed one step, clean your tools and pan thoroughly before you mix a new batch.

Stains and peeling paint are simple to remedy. Scrape or wire brush the area, and then wipe down with a damp sponge or cloth. You have to remove all scaling material and powder. When that has dried thouroughly, paint on a stainkiller to lock in the stain and provide a tight surface for the compound to stick to. Apply paper drywall tape to any cracks and give them two successive coats, at a minimum.

Larger holes require backing. If there is no place to fasten a patch, you have to put in backing. 1 X 4 boards or plywood strips can be screwed in place and thin drywall screwed to it. Shim if necessary first so the drywall is level with the surrounding plaster. Fill around the edges with hot mud and tape the whole perimeter. Skim coat the taped edges until all is flat.

If the plaster is sagging, you will have to remove it and replace it with thin drywall as described above. Over wood lath, this is pretty easy. If your plaster is the kind with gypsum style plaster lath, and more than the veneer coat is sagging, saw out the sagged area and replace with drywall, etc.

On exterior masonry walls, the water problem may be solved by a thorough cleaning first, then the application of a special sealer. It might be good to consult with a professional. Replace any defective gutters. Then, inside, scrape all loose/powdered plaster. Wipe off dust, etc. Dampen depressions and fill with one or more coats of hot mud as needed.

If you can repair your damaged plaster yourself, you have gained valuable experience and saved yourself money in the process. And ... you get to admire your handiwork!

For plastering jobs  in Selangor, Feel free to contact 012-2988560.

Window Treatment To Brighten Interiors

A window defines a house and its interiors. It determines if a place of residence is adequately airy and also when placed strategically and with proper planning it can give the house a lot of natural lighting and great ventilation. Window treatment can refer to specific fittings or work done on or around the windows to make it look all the more better. There are specific window treatments for the glass which can be for frosted glass or stained glass.

Window treatments involve making the window a good designer package in itself with all the trimmings in place right from the curtains or drapes to coloring the windows and fitting frames if necessary. Window treatments are done with a view to making it stylish as well as it being functional. Window are done with the view of decorating or redesigning but it is also an art in itself wherein multiple design ideas can be incorporated into the design to make it look classy.

You can have frosted glass for your windows which can give a very soothing effect or play with colors by having a stained glass window. Typically traditional ways of window is mostly having straight lines or a vinyl coating which mimics frosted glass in the general effect created. There can be various window curtains or shades you can utilize to create different lighting effects like sheers to let light in when you need it and having darker curtains to dim the room. There are no fixed rules about treatments it can be just about any kind of curtains, drapes or window work which can look great according to what you need for your family along with a healthy dose of aesthetics.

Windows can be the central point form which the whole interiors of the home are decided on. The location of the furniture and other paraphernalia in the room are based on how much lighting is there in the room from the windows and the size of the windows are just as important to decide how you want the play of lights to be in the room. The type of window treatment you decide to have can decide what your whole home and rooms are going to look like, it decides the kind of view you have, decides the privacy you get for your home. With the right kind of window treatments you can transform your home into a totally fun and serene place.

Window treatments are essential to work out what kind of lighting you want for your home and you do not need expensive materials to do your window You can easily go for cheaper options and easily make do with home made drapes or curtains which can be easily stitched, or done with whatever materials you can find around you. There are a lot of styles you can work on for the windows of your home, you can use drapes, blinds, shutters, curtains with frills or shades in various colors to complement your home and its interiors.

For All Your Home Renovation & Maintenance Needs, Pls Call 012-2988560.

Five Reasons Why Aluminium Doors Are A Top Choice

Aluminium doors have many beneficial properties, making them the best choice for any home or business. Here are the top five.

Cost effective: These doors generally come at a very low initial cost and because they are so durable and resilient, there is very little, if any, maintenance or replacement cost. These doors are also easy to install, thereby reducing costs in all areas of the outfitting process.

Energy Efficient: Aluminium is a 100% recyclable material, making it a very environmentally friendly choice. An aluminium door will reduce your heating and cooling bills as well as reducing the need for regular cleaning and maintenance.

Strength and Durability: Your door of aluminium will last a very long time, even in harsh weather conditions. Aluminium, even when untreated, does not rust under any conditions. Doors of aluminium are very low maintenance, requiring cleaning only every six months or so. This is very little maintenance indeed, compared to the frequent paint touch-ups and rust-repair doors made from other materials require. These doors are also impermeable and odourless, making them a strong and protective barrier to the outdoors. Stability and sturdiness is also ensured by a correctly installed aluminium door. These doors are perfect for use in industry as they are strong enough to withstand scratches and bumps that will undoubtedly occur with frequent movement of heavy machinery and products. Aluminium can also be thermally treated for further protection from scratches and dents.

Stylish Construction: The appearance of your entries may just be the most important aesthetic choice you make for your business or home. It is after all, through doors that people first encounter your establishment and forms their first impressions. Doors of aluminium are available in the standard shiny metallic look, which is stylish and versatile itself, as well as a variety of more vibrant powder-coated colours. It can also be patterned for a variety of different personalised effects. The durability of doors made from aluminium also ensures that they stay looking fresh and stylish. For a look that is truly contemporary and cutting edge, you can't go past aluminium doors.

Weather-proof: Doors made from aluminium provide the ultimate protection and resilience in doors. Besides the valuable rust-proof qualities, aluminium doors will not absorb humidity and warp in changing weather conditions like wood doors, ensuring consistent working order and protection all year round. An aluminium door's weather-proof qualities make them the best choice for external doors, as barriers between the inside and outside.

We cater from small to big type of Home renovation in Selangor and design based on customer's requirement. For  enquiries, pls contact us 012-2988560.