How to plaster walls on beacons with your own hands

The ability to plaster walls on beacons is a simple but necessary one for any do-it-yourselfer who wants smooth, level walls. Learn how to plaster walls with beacons to save money and have the satisfaction of doing it yourself, whether you’re remodeling an old room or painting a new building.

At first, the process might seem overwhelming, but with the correct resources and a little perseverance, you can produce results that look professional. Thin strips of wood or metal called beacons serve as guides to make sure the plaster layer you apply is level and even. They are essential for avoiding uneven or wavy surfaces.

It’s important to set up your workspace and gather all required supplies before you begin. This includes trowels, plaster mix, spirit levels, beacons, and straight edges. Plaster will adhere better and last longer if your walls are clean and clear of loose debris.

We’ll take you step-by-step through the process of plastering walls on beacons in this guide, starting with beacon setup and ending with plaster application and finishing touches. You’ll have no trouble producing an exquisitely smooth wall surface if you adhere to these instructions.

Step	Description
1. Prepare the wall	Clean the wall surface, removing any dust, dirt, or old plaster.
2. Install beacons	Place vertical metal or wooden guides (beacons) on the wall, ensuring they are evenly spaced and level.
3. Mix the plaster	Follow the manufacturer"s instructions to mix the plaster to the right consistency.
4. Apply the plaster	Start from the bottom, apply the plaster between the beacons using a trowel, working your way up.
5. Level the plaster	Use a straightedge or a screed board to level the plaster by sliding it along the beacons.
6. Remove the beacons	Once the plaster sets slightly, remove the beacons and fill in the gaps with plaster.
7. Smooth the surface	Use a float to smooth and finish the plastered surface for an even look.

What is beacon plaster – all the pros and cons

A popular and easy technique for giving walls a final polish before painting or wallpapering is beacon plaster.

The main benefit of this technology is that even the most uneven surfaces can be easily corrected with the use of beacons. This technique is particularly popular when removing flaws requires applying a plaster layer that is thicker than 2 cm. In this instance, the prepared solution is placed in between support guide strips that are mounted on the walls. Following completion of the work, the beacons are taken down and the final grouting is done.

The fact that even construction novices can complete this option for finishing interior and facade surfaces and that no specialized training is needed is one of its benefits. Additionally, experts claim that this method uses less building materials.

Those who have used this method in practice view the requirement to remove the guide strips after the job is finished and the difficulty in marking and installing them as drawbacks.

Without hiring pricey contractors, plastering walls on beacons yourself is an easy DIY project that can give your house a polished appearance. You can create guides that guarantee your walls are smooth and perfectly even by placing beacons. This comprehensive guide will help anyone achieve excellent results, even with little to no prior experience, by taking you step-by-step through the materials you need, the preparation process, and the application techniques.

Types of plaster beacons

Beacons are plastered using three different kinds of devices: wooden, plastic, and metal.

• wooden planks are relatively inexpensive and suitable for multiple use;
• metal profiles are easy to use and affordable, but they cannot be reused;
• carbon fiber slats are quite expensive, so they are rarely bought for independent construction or repair.

Hardware stores sell all varieties. The decision is based on available funds.

All guides will then have to be deleted. The gypsum beacons are an exception. They are not required to be removed because they are buried flush with the soil layer.

Necessary tools and equipment for plastering walls using beacons

1. First of all, builders will need a rule, with which they determine the curvature of the bases, apply the primer and carry out other operations. Its length should be at least 1.5 m.
2. To identify the defects of the surfaces, you need a level and a simple plumb line, which can be made independently from a durable twine and sinker.
3. It is important to stock up on high -quality spatulas and trumpets of different sizes.
4. For the primer, you will need different rollers and brushes with hard bristles, and final processing – graters and sandpaper with large grain.
5. To ensure cleanliness during work, it is necessary to use a mining tape roll, a sufficient amount of rags and covering material for the floor.
6. For the preparation of working solutions, you should purchase a small construction mixer and several capacities of a suitable size.

Types of plastering mixtures – which is better to use if you want to align the walls

Depending on the homeowners’ financial situation, a wide range of compositions can be chosen to align the plaster facade and interior surfaces of the home.

Using lime, gypsum plaster, or cement-sand mortar is the least expensive option. They fall under the category of mineral mixtures and are inexpensive, safe for the environment, and simple to make in the proper amounts. The inability of lime and gypsum solutions to withstand high humidity is one of the drawbacks. It is therefore advised to use them to complete living areas. Additionally, it is preferable to use a more resilient cement mortar or sand-cement mixture (CMS) when plastering bathrooms, kitchens, exterior facades of the building, and toilets.

Using compositions based on polymers, silicone, or acrylic for finishing is a more costly option. They are more elastic and resistant to frost and moisture. The majority of the time, the companies that produce these materials offer a thorough explanation of the technology involved in getting usable solutions ready.

DIY surface leveling technology using beacons for beginners

Strict adherence to the prescribed sequence of steps is required when leveling walls with plaster on beacons; otherwise, the desired outcome might not be achieved.

Preparing the surface for plaster

You should carefully prepare the wall along the beacons before plastering it. If this isn’t done, the surface may eventually start to chip and crack.

The old decor must first be entirely removed; this includes any remaining paint, wallpaper, whitewash, and plaster layers. Any traces of fungus and any oily, rusty stains need to be eliminated. The baseboards and sockets must be disassembled, and all extra nails and screws must be removed.

It is advised to fill in any existing cracks with a sealant (they can be widened with a sharp spatula and filled with thick putty or plaster if needed). Wide gaps can be strengthened with reinforcing tape.

It is best to vacuum or use a damp broom to remove any dust from the walls before putting the first coat of primer on them.

Marking under beacons for plastering walls

Installing beacons correctly is crucial when applying plaster by hand so that the finished walls are smooth and devoid of any bumps, distortions, or irregularities.

The cleaned base needs to be marked so that elements can be placed conveniently. Using a regular pencil, you must draw straight, parallel lines from the floor to the ceiling in order to accomplish this. The ideal distance between them is one to one and a half meters. The outer guides must be positioned 15–30 cm from the wall corners, and there must be at least 10–15 cm between the doorways and the lighthouse.

The profiles must be firmly fixed vertically on the line with self-tapping screws or mortar before the leveling solution is applied in between.

How to apply primer

Plastering surfaces requires careful preparation, and one step that shouldn’t be overlooked is applying a primer.

1. Ensures reliable adhesion of plaster mixtures to the base. It penetrates deeply into the original material of the structure and creates a rough surface, so the liquid mass does not slide down or peel off when applied.
2. Manufacturers often include various antiseptic substances in the compositions of modern primers that protect against the appearance of fungi and insects, as well as fire-resistant additives that prevent fire.
3. The product is used to strengthen surfaces prone to crumbling.
4. Primer compositions, when applied correctly, have the ability to fill the pores of the walls, thereby preventing the absorption of moisture from the plaster.
5. If necessary, special mixtures are used for the purpose of waterproofing and disinfection of these areas.

With a foam roller with a long handle, it is easy to apply the prepared primer composition to the surface. It is advised to use a wide brush with firm bristles to clean areas that are difficult to reach, like corners.

Experts recommend priming surfaces twice and giving each time for it to thoroughly dry. It usually takes a minimum of one day.

Instructions for preparing the mixture

Prior to adding the dry mixture in the amount specified on the building material’s packaging, you must first fill the container with room-temperature water to prepare the working solution for application to the walls.

It is preferable to mix using a dedicated mixer or a drill with attachments. In this manner, you’ll obtain a lump-free, homogenous substance that readily settles on the surface.

You can dilute the mass by adding a small amount of water if it’s too dense. However, if a thick layer of plaster is needed, then mix the material thickly enough to prevent it from slipping off the spatula.

Arrangement of slopes and corners

Plastering walls along beacons requires careful attention to the slopes and corners to ensure that the walls are as level as possible.

It is advised to seal door and window frames with cotton fabric strips or masking tape so that they can be readily removed once the job is done and won’t get stained.

To control the layer’s thickness, a vertical guide should be placed right next to the opening and a strip fixed at the corner along the slope’s edge should be placed.

Using a horizontal rule, carefully level the plaster that has been applied. Leveling should be done while keeping the rule vertical after the solution has slightly dried. Lastly, the beacons must be taken out and the mortar grooves must be filled flush with a small spatula.

The corner’s curvature can be found using a sizable square. It is advised to begin finishing once the wall has been plastered completely. Using a spatula to apply enough mortar and a rule to level it, one should rely on a beacon spaced 25–30 cm apart on each side. Installing the rule vertically gives the corner a distinct shape. Additionally, you can use an angle spatula and special profile corners with a mesh (counter-shults) to level them.

A plumb line can be used to assess the finish’s quality and make any necessary corrections.

How to do plastering

Acting swiftly enough to prevent the prepared solution from thickening is one of the key guidelines for plastering procedures.

Applying the plaster in layers is recommended: spray, primer, and cover. It is advised that the task be completed by gradually filling in the pathways between the guides, one after the other. Applying the composition should be done quickly and carefully in 1-meter-long sections, beginning from the floor.

It is advised to apply the primer in two or three passes if the wall has significant curvature or other flaws that require a thicker coating. In this instance, smoothing the tops of the intermediate layers is not required in order to strengthen the bond. The primer needs to be leveled with the rule once it starts to show above the beacon slats after application.

To accomplish this, position the tool’s edge horizontally on the beacons and use force to slide the rule from bottom to top while gently shaking it from side to side.

You can make multiple passes if one is insufficient to achieve the required level of smoothness on the wall. Where there is insufficient solution, it can be supplemented with the excess solution gathered by the rule.

How to remove beacons

Beacons must be properly installed prior to work and removed once the final layer of plaster has been applied when plastering walls by hand. It’s critical to have enough time to complete this before the solution solidifies.

• profiles made of metal, when exposed to moisture, become covered with rust, which eventually comes to the surface and spoils the appearance of the finish;
• wooden or plastic strips can peel off for various reasons and pull all the plaster along with them, while a large section of the wall will quickly become covered with cracks;
• By installing dowels, for example, in order to hang some object on the wall, you can accidentally get into a hidden guide, which can lead to the appearance of cracks along the entire beacon.

Consequently, you ought to get rid of these components right away. You will need pliers and a sharp spatula to accomplish this. Gently pry the guide’s end from below using the spatula tip, then carefully lift it up. After removal, mortar should be poured into the grooves and smoothed out.

Grouting

Expert artisans counsel novices who are not yet proficient in plastering walls to focus especially on the final grouting to eliminate any roughness and potential flaws from the surfaces.

After the plaster has dried completely through all layers, this work should be completed. It is advised to lightly mist the surface with warm water using a spray bottle before applying grout.

With a little effort, leveling movements are made on a small portion of the wall using a special grater. Where there are noticeable protruding irregularities, the pressure needs to be raised.

Experts advise becoming proficient in two grouting techniques: aiming (when the progressive-reflective rectilinear gratification occurs) and circular (movement of circular tools, preferably at the clockwise direction).

Grouting should only be applied in a staggered fashion if the final finishing touches include wallpapering, decorative plastering, or tile installation.

Following grouting, all freshly plastered walls must be allowed to dry for 24 to 48 hours before being sanded with coarse-grained sandpaper or a specialized grinder.

A simple yet efficient way to achieve smooth and even surfaces in your home is to plaster walls on beacons. If you have the proper equipment and supplies and carefully follow the instructions, you can accomplish professional-quality results on your own. Making sure your walls are spotless and your beacons are positioned correctly is crucial to success.

Applying plaster in layers and taking your time to mix it properly will help you avoid common mistakes like uneven or cracked surfaces. Recall to smooth the surface as you go and to wait for each layer to dry completely before applying the next. Throughout this process, your greatest allies will be patience and attention to detail.

In the end, plastering walls on beacons increases the surface’s longevity and durability in addition to improving the look of your walls. Learning this method can help you save time and money on renovations or new construction projects, and it will also make you feel good about finishing the work yourself.

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