How to set up beacons for plastering walls with your own hands

Although it may seem difficult, setting up beacons for plastering walls is completely doable on your own with the right tools and some guidance. If you want your walls to be smooth and even, beacons are a must. They serve as guidelines when applying plaster, assisting you in maintaining a uniform thickness and producing a polished appearance.

We will take you step-by-step through the entire beacon setup process in this guide. You will discover what supplies you require, how to get your walls ready, and the most effective methods for precisely placing your beacons. These pointers will help you achieve fantastic results whether you’re remodeling a room or an entire house.

You’ll save money by doing it yourself at the end of the process, and you’ll also feel proud of yourself for having mastered a crucial home improvement skill. Now let’s get going and turn those walls into flawless, slick surfaces!

How to set up beacons on a wall for plastering

These tools are required to level walls that have chips, cracks, and other irregularities. Prior to installation, the kind of profiles, how the beacons are fastened, and how frequently the elements are placed are chosen. The indentation between the guides is measured before beacons are plastered on the wall.

The size of the treated surfaces and the duration of the rule are taken into consideration when placing beacons. The beacon strip’s step is up to 1.3 meters when a rule with dimensions up to 1.5 meters is applied. For plastering small areas, the smallest gap is 0.8 m. The extreme guides can be positioned 10–30 cm apart from the interior corners. Aim for a 0.1-0.15 m gap when mounting a beacon from window or door openings.

Plaster beacon installation for leveling the bases is done in accordance with the following steps:

• surfaces for leveling are marked out;
• references for the extreme beacons are placed;
• with a small indentation from the base to be leveled, a vertical plane is created using threads, cords, the accuracy is checked with a plumb line, level;
• calculations of deviations on the plane are carried out;
• skews on the plane are corrected;
• intermediate profiles are installed;
• the mortar part is primed for installing beacons.

How to place beacons under plaster walls without a laser level

• standard marking;
• using the "spider" method.

Using a plumb line, building level, or ruler, the verticality of the elements is verified.

Usual marking when plastering walls

Plaster beacons are installed in a conventional manner with a building level and nylon thread.

1. Marking is carried out with an indentation from the corner of the room of 10 cm, from the ceiling – 15-20 cm. Self-tapping screws are installed at the marked points, protruding above the surface by 3-5 cm
2. A plumb line is tied to the self-tapping screw, 2 new points are marked along the thread, into which the self-tapping screws are screwed.
3. When installing self-tapping screws in stages, the height of the element caps is checked. The surfaces of the self-tapping screws must be located in a single plane.
4. Threads are pulled horizontally and vertically onto the self-tapping screws.
5. The result should be a vertical plane.

Marking using the "spider" method

Prior to putting beacons in place for plastering walls, marking can be done with four stretched threads and the "spider" method. This method helps you to minimize the amount of finishing material used and precisely determine the plaster coating thickness.

1. Taking into account the indentation from the corners of the ceiling or wall of 5-15 cm, marks the points for drilling holes for dowels.
2. In the prepared holes, place 2 screws protruding from the surface by 5 cm.
3. A nylon thread is tied to the screws.
4. The accuracy of the marking is checked with a plumb line.
5. After fixing the horizontal threads along the surface, the curvature is determined, the maximum protruding point.
6. Then the plaster coating layer is calculated.
7. Intermediate beacon profiles are placed along the main beacons and stretched threads.

How to correctly set beacons for plastering walls with a laser level

A laser level is also used to install beacons, according to rules.

1. The laser level is installed to the wall at 3-4 cm.
2. Deviations in level are marked with a pencil.
3. Deviations from the surface are marked with a metal square.
4. The zero point is determined and marked on the wall.
5. The distance between the beacons is marked on the wall.
6. The mortar is thrown along the lines.
7. The profile strips are installed and fixed on the mortar.
8. After fixing the beacons and leveling them, the remaining mortar is removed.

Types of plaster beacons and beacon profiles

• metal (made of stainless steel, aluminum);
• plastic;
• mortar;
• wooden;
• string;
• made of gypsum board;
• marker, etc..

• angular – used to align internal and external corners;
• V-shaped – used as guides to create an even plaster coating.

Plastic ones are stable after fixation and composed of robust polymers. Because the elements are light, there is less strain placed on the supporting structures while the work is being done, making installation simple and quick. The goods can withstand deformation. After finishing, plastic components can be left in the hardened plaster surface. It is imperative to consider the instability of plastic elements in response to temperature fluctuations.

Consequently, a variety of plastic beacons are limited to use in interior design. The elements’ poor resistance to mechanical damage is another reason they aren’t used for plastering facades. Plastering requires the proper installation of a plastic beacon to avoid the decorative coating from cracking later.

Metal beacons are strong, resilient, and adaptable for use in building projects. Plastic beacons come in sizes ranging from 3 to 10 mm. Deviations from the surface are taken into consideration when choosing beacons. We will need wide elements for large uneven areas. Iron or steel are used to make beacons.

Elements can be cut with metal scissors or pliers for installation. Either a solution or specific fasteners are needed to firmly secure the components. To avoid rust, metal components on the wall must be removed once the finishing touches are applied. The products’ quality is examined before buying beacons. No deformation that could result in an uneven plaster coating is allowed.

A composition is used to make mortar elements, which are then used to plaster surfaces. It is advised that the work be completed by skilled artisans. Precision in the assembly and positioning of components is crucial. Wooden floors or concrete floors can be leveled with mortar components.

The protruding parts of the beacons are cut off with a tool and sanded to create a uniform surface; the beacons do not need to be removed from the plaster coating. Mortar components can be used to finish rooms of various sizes and are reasonably priced.

Slats are used to create wooden beacons. One benefit of the elements is that they can be used again when plastering. It is important to remember, though, that wooden planks should only be used in dry air-conditioned rooms. They are not appropriate for kitchens, bathrooms, or facade decoration.

Wire beacons are inexpensive, simple to make, and made with a solution. The elements can be taken out and the openings leveled using a plaster mixture once the base has been leveled.

Small areas’ surfaces are leveled with gypsum beacons. The solution’s components are utilized to form a thin layer. Gypsum beacons are safe to use, kind to the environment, and don’t need to be taken down from walls or ceilings once finishing work is finished.

Do-it-yourself wall surface preparation

You must first prepare the surfaces before installing beacons correctly for plastering walls. The walls must be cleared of any outdated finishing touches, such as wallpaper, plaster, and paint. After that, treat the surfaces with antiseptic chemicals and remove any mold or stains. Metal fasteners should be taken down from the wall or painted over with a water-based paint. Primers are poured into and leveled out of chips and cracks. Notches are applied to smooth concrete surfaces to enhance plaster mixture adhesion.

Brickwork bases are prepared by expanding the seams to a depth of approximately 10 mm, cleaning the surfaces of dust, applying a primer, drying the primer layer, and reinforcing it if needed.

Plastering walls yourself is easy and guarantees an even and smooth surface when you set up beacons. By precisely positioning these guides, you save time and enhance the caliber of your work by creating a reference for applying plaster throughout the wall at the proper thickness. Anyone can accomplish professional results without hiring a contractor if they have access to basic tools like a level, string line, and a few beacons. This technique not only improves the wall’s aesthetics but also makes the plaster work more resilient and long-lasting.

Installing beacons in different ways

• on plaster mortar or tile adhesive;
• without mortar;
• from cement or gypsum composition, etc.d.

The plaster beacon needs to be aligned on the wall and firmly fixed. The work makes use of brackets, corner pieces, clips, and other things. d.

Mounting on the wall on plaster mortar or tile adhesive

Plastering over an adhesive base or mortar with beacons is a simple, readily available technology. Using a spatula, spread the plaster mixture next to the fasteners. The mass forms beacons that are rounded or rectangular.

The elements’ upper portions are arranged in accordance with a single level. Using glue or plaster mortar, beacons are fixed to the hardened bases. Plasterboard profiles are used to fix profiles. The standards for positioning fixing elements are taken into consideration when determining the beacon spacing (up to 1.2 m between beacons).

Installing beacons on the wall without mortar

Beacons can be quickly installed on walls without the need for mortar to complete small areas.

• clips;
• "ears";
• creamers;
• homemade staples;
• umki, etc..

The quick installation of these fastener types is advantageous as they don’t require the preparation of mortar or an adhesive base. The components offer consistent base alignment and don’t move. Plastering the surface should come next after the fasteners are installed.

When and how is it better to install beacons from mortar on the walls

You can make beacons (based on gypsum or cement powder) separately from mortar to level the bases. The beacons don’t have to be taken out of the wall panel after plastering. You’ll need a trowel, a variety of shaped and sized spatulas, and a rule for your work.

• the axes of the beacons are pre-marked on the wall, the size of the indents is calculated taking into account the dimensions of the room;
• a laser device detects surface irregularities;
• an elastic plaster solution is prepared;
• the rule is installed on the edge, fixed;
• the solution is applied on top of the rule with a trowel;
• the strip is pressed to the base on the solution;
• the angle of the beacon strip to the wall is adjusted with a trowel;
• the remains of the solution are removed with a spatula;
• the rule is removed;
• the applied solution is dried for 24 hours, then a block with sandpaper is run along the top of the beacons for grinding.

Mortar paths up to two centimeters wide are produced using this technique. The beacons are prepared for plastering after a full day.

The technology works best with minor imperfections and variations in height. For the components to be placed precisely, experts must be present during implementation.

Construction materials and tools

• plumb line, building level;
• laser level;
• nylon threads or cord;
• a set of screws or dowels;
• putty knife;
• trapezoidal rule;
• trowel;
• pencil or marker milking;
• container for kneading the solution;
• punch;
• screwdriver;
• scissors for working on metal;
• chisel;
• Maslar adhesive tape;
• Passatigi, etc.D.

Primers, putties, dry or ready-made plaster, a set of beach profiles, screws the right size, guides, adhesive solution, etc., are required for the job, depending on the kind of surface.

Which beacon is appropriate for a given surface is determined by the degree of wall deformation, the method of element fixing, and the base material (concrete, brickwork, drywall sheets, porous blocks, etc.D.).

Step	Description
1. Prepare the wall	Clean the wall from dust and old paint, and apply a primer.
2. Measure and mark	Measure the wall height and mark where the beacons will be placed.
3. Attach the beacons	Using a level, attach the beacons vertically with plaster or adhesive.
4. Align the beacons	Ensure all beacons are aligned and level for an even surface.
5. Check the setup	Double-check the beacons are secure and in the correct position before plastering.

Plastering walls by yourself can seem difficult, but it’s actually very manageable if you take the proper approach. You can lay a strong foundation for a smooth, even plaster finish by accurately marking the wall and making sure your beacons are level and straight.

It is important to check your work with a spirit level at each stage to guarantee that the plaster is applied evenly. Plastering is a much easier and more efficient process when the beacons are set up correctly, saving you headaches down the road.

In the end, patience and close attention to detail are crucial. Even if you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast, you can achieve a professional-looking result by following these steps. Beacon placement becomes a simple part of your plastering routine with practice.

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