Hillman Group 41994, 25-Pack Zinc-Plated Plaster Washers, 25 Pieces

Product Information

I agree, plaster washers are the way to go when you have plaster that has lost it's keys. I've also used them to support big sheets of drywall on ceilings with 24" joists. The larger surface area makes me feel more secure and use less screws.

As plaster ages, these keys may break away from the lath, and the plaster coating can come loose and sag away from the lath. Sagging is usually obvious. If you have sags in a plaster ceiling, press upward on the area with the flat of your hand. If the plaster feels spongy or gives under your hand pressure, it's a sign that the key strength has been lost. If it's not repaired, the plaster ceiling can collapse.I use a Dremel tool with a diamond disk to make the the recess in the plaster to receive the washer. Be sure to use some sort of dust mitigation and wear a good dust mask, as this step can get messy. Secure the washers in the recesses with drywall screws. Mark the line of the ceiling joists above and screw the plaster to these. Use dry lining screws with large washers on them. The washers will prevent the screw pulling right through the plaster and can be sunk a fraction into the surface. Dry lining screws will cut through easily and grip well in the joists. Yes, I'd agee with the others. This is a decent tip for being in a pinch, but if you have an old house or work on them for others, you really ought to have a big bag of plaster washers. It's a whole lot less time consuming and they'll work better (bigger diameter, full of holes to key the skim plaster). I buy mine from Charles Street Supply (google) whose big quantity prices are a bit cheaper than Lee Valley. Seems like the Lee Valley price for 100 is good though.

Roll a special topcoat over the fiberglass mesh if you use the Nu-Wal product; otherwise skim coat the mesh with two coats of joint compound. You now need to access the top side of the ceiling. For upstairs rooms, this is usually easy enough as you can get to it from the loft. For other ceilings, you will have to lift the floor in the room above to get access to the old lathes. The Hillman drywall washers are great! The pictures included illustrate how well they work, especially when combined with white Loctite power grab caulk adhesive and Kilz primer. Get plaster washers. There was a time when there was only one major source (Charles Street Supply in Massachusetts, making them since 1948), but Googling "plaster washers" brought me dozens of possible sources, and also dozens of online discussions of these marvelous little devices - so it's not like they're unknown.I do appreciate the video however because you do preface it with "in a pinch", even though it's not a better way. I carry pipe strapping as well. Allow the plaster to dry overnight before gently removing the timber supports below. The ceiling can now be redecorated Substantial damage repair If there is no termite damage or water damage this system is valid for professional results if all steps are done properly.