Dealing with uneven surfaces is a common problem when installing new walls or renovating existing ones. A crucial step in achieving a smooth and faultless finish is leveling the wall using putty. This procedure helps guarantee that your wall is perfectly straight and prepared for painting or wallpapering. It uses guides called beacons.
You build a trustworthy framework for applying the putty by using beacons. In essence, these beacons serve as markers to help you apply putty to the wall evenly. This technique produces a long-lasting, high-quality finish while also making the task simpler.
We’ll walk you through installing beacons and leveling your walls with putty in this guide. These steps will assist you in getting a smooth, even surface for your next project, whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or taking on a professional renovation.
| Step | Description |
| 1 | Prepare the wall surface by cleaning and sanding to ensure good adhesion. |
| 2 | Install beacons (or guides) along the wall using a level to ensure they are straight and even. |
| 3 | Mix the putty according to the manufacturer"s instructions. |
| 4 | Apply the putty using a wide spatula, filling the gaps between the beacons. |
| 5 | Smooth the putty with a straightedge to make the surface even. |
| 6 | Allow the putty to dry completely before sanding it to achieve a smooth finish. |
| 7 | Remove the beacons carefully and fill any remaining gaps or holes with putty. |
| 8 | Sand the entire wall to ensure it is perfectly smooth before painting or finishing. |
Preliminary work
Putting up walls on beacons is done after preliminary work to ensure a top-notch layout of the space.
- inspection of wall panels;
- measuring the surface with a level;
- cleaning surfaces from dust, dirt, old individual coatings;
- priming;
- fixing the reinforcing mesh.
Examining the wall panels for flaws and protrusions is essential. Pencils or markers are used to indicate irregularities on the wall. Challenging regions will necessitate cautious alignment.
The walls are then stripped of outdated paint, plaster, and other base finishing materials. Protrusions are leveled and marked depressions are filled in with putty. Variations on the panel should not exceed 12 millimeters. Using a laser level is advised.
Subsequently, the elevation of a level surface is altered, and locations for beacon installation are indicated. The walls are vacuum-cleanable and free of construction dust.
Priming the base is done at the following step. The primer aids in shielding the surface from moisture, mold growth, and fungal growth. The composition is chosen with consideration for the surface material and room type (kitchen, living room). Priming lowers the chance of stucco stratification and improves base adhesion.
Additional surface reinforcement will be needed when applying a dense layer of the plaster mixture (more than 10 mm) and the second one after the tile laying dries.
A glass fiber, metal, or polyethylene reinforcing mesh must be selected. Dowels or a special solution are used to fix the grid.
Tools
- beacons;
- primer mixture;
- construction mixer;
- set of spatulas;
- building level;
- drill with attachments;
- paint net;
- wide brush;
- plaster;
- sheets of sandpaper;
- rollers;
- rule;
- abrasive net;
- deep containers.
Beacons made of plastic, metal, string, reusable steel, etc. can be used; it just depends on the base material and putty application technique.
Plastic beacons are simple to install and remove and are lightweight. They can stay in the putty mixture and are resistant to rust and mold. These products aren’t appropriate for outdoor décor.
Galvanized ones are inexpensive and simple to install. Standard product sizes range from 6 to 10 mm.
A system of self-tapping screws with wire is used in string beacons. The elements are installed using dowels and a hammer drill. The design is inexpensive and simple to use.
Applying putty using beacons is a practical way to achieve perfectly smooth walls. Using beacons, you can set up vertical guides to make sure the putty is the same thickness all the way around the wall. Putty can be used to easily level out imperfections and create a perfect surface that is ready for painting or finishing. Putty is applied between these guides.
Installation of beacons
The purpose of beacons is to draw a line for the application of plaster mixture and the subsequent leveling of walls. The parameters of a smooth coating depend on how precisely beacons are installed.
The fixing of beacons is the following phase. You will need to stretch a thin cord or strong thread in order to install profiles at a specific level. Screws are inserted into the wall, which will serve as the beacons’ base, taking into account the stretched level. Then beacons are attached to the surface using a small amount of putty.
The corner portion is used to carry out the element arrangement. Standards state that there should be 120–150 mm between each beacon. The technique used to apply the plaster, the caliber of the finishing material, and the size of the room being decorated can all affect how big the gaps are. Elements are installed in small, discrete areas on smooth walls with minor irregularities.
Using beacons to build walls is an easy way to create level, smooth surfaces. With little work on your part, you can guarantee a polished finish by following the instructions. Always remember that patience and preparation are essential for a successful putty application. Before using the putty, make sure your beacons are securely positioned.
After applying putty, give it enough time to completely dry before sanding and finishing. This will assist you in getting a perfect surface that’s prepared for painting or other finishing touches. To ensure the best results and prevent any imperfections, take your time with each step.
You can quickly get your walls looking smooth and even by using these techniques. Putty leveling correctly can have a big impact on the finished look of your walls, no matter how big or small the project is.
