How to Fix a Horsehair Plaster Ceiling

If you have horsehair plaster ceilings in your home, you have a piece of history right above you. However, sometimes this history can show just how old it is. Horsehair plaster can crack because of shifting in the home, or expansion of the wood joists above it. Pieces can fall away, leaving uneven areas. Instead of staring at these unsightly spots, you can fix them and restore the plaster to its former beauty.

Plastic drop cloths
Tape
Chisel
Plaster mix
2 buckets
Water
Hawk
Trowel
Sanding block

Instructions

- 1
  Remove all the furniture in the room. Lay down plastic drop cloths to completely cover the floor and tape them into place.
- 2
  Use a chisel to scrape any debris away from cracks or holes.
- 3
  Mix plaster and water in a bucket. Follow the instructions on the plaster container. Do not make too much at a time, as plaster sets very quickly.
- 4
  Dip a trowel in water and skim this over a hawk to wet it slightly. This keeps the plaster from sticking.
- 5
  Pick up a small amount of plaster with your trowel and place it on the hawk.
- 6
  Skim the trowel over the cracked area to apply a light coat of plaster. Push down as you work to even out the plaster. Level it out with the flat of your trowel. Use more if you are filling a hole up so that it is even with the rest of the plaster around it. Let the plaster set for 45 minutes.
- 7
  Use a sanding block in a fine grade. Even out your patch until it is flush with the rest of the ceiling. You can now prime and paint the patched area to match the rest of the ceiling.

Options for Sheet Rock on a Basement Ceiling

Can I Replace the Ceiling Panels in a Mobile Home Without Removing the Cabinets?

Ceiling Repairs