Ceilings are some of the most overlooked parts of the house when it comes to maintenance and renovation, but you shouldn’t forget about them just because they aren’t usually on display. While ceilings can seem easier to maintain and less important than other elements in your home, they actually serve an important purpose that’s worth taking care of over time.
This guide will help you repair your luxury room ceiling in no time at all so that it looks as good as new. Plus, you may find that it needs more TLC than you realize!
Check for water damage
If there are wet spots or yellowing in your ceiling, check for water damage. If you see any signs of a leak, it’s important to clean up any water damage as soon as possible. Remove any standing water and dry out your ceiling and walls. Then, follow these steps: Clean with a mixture of 3 parts water, 1 part rubbing alcohol and 1 part white vinegar. Rinse with fresh water and let air-dry overnight. Apply an acrylic latex patching compound with a putty knife, feathering out from the center (this will help prevent cracking). Allow at least 24 hours for it to cure before painting over it. Be sure not to use too much plaster—you don’t want lumps under your paint job!
Remove mold and mildew
Here’s how you remove mold and mildew from your ceiling. The first step is to clean up any excess water that might be in your home, whether it’s from a leaky roof or rainwater. Because mold and mildew thrive in dark, moist areas, removing excess moisture is a critical step to making sure you don’t have recurring problems with these issues in your home. Once you have dried out your home (as much as possible), you should make sure that all wet materials have been removed. You should then let everything dry thoroughly for about three days before applying a product like Anti-Mold. This will help keep new mold and mildew from returning after your repair work is complete.
Install a vapor barrier
If your leak is caused by condensation, you’ll first want to install a vapor barrier. This will stop moisture from seeping through your ceiling. To do so, choose an area near your water source and put down a tarp or plastic sheeting (you’ll want several layers for added protection). Next, seal up any holes and cracks where moisture could potentially enter your house. Finally, place bricks or rocks on top of the plastic in order to protect it from wear and tear.
Patch holes in drywall
If you have a large hole in your ceiling, it’s probably not practical or financially viable to repair it with new drywall. You can patch holes in drywall using spackling paste and a piece of fiberglass mesh tape. It’s fast, cheap, and easy—just smooth on some spackle, press down the tape over it so that it sticks well, and then allow at least 24 hours for drying before painting over your repair.
Prime and paint
This can be done before or after you install your new ceiling fan. If you’re painting after, make sure your ceiling is as dust-free as possible before applying primer and paint. A clean, smooth surface makes for a much better finished product! Use good lighting when priming and painting; it will allow you to see if there are any spots that need another coat of paint.
Author Bio
MARWOOD CONSTRUCTION is a high-end residential & commercial construction expert providing specialized general contracting services to clients in Houston, Texas. This licensed general contractor offers design-to-build services solutions for the most challenging new build and renovation needs. To learn more about this author, visit marwoodconstruction.com.
