Plastering is the most effective method of preparing a wall surface for finishing, as well as one of the decorative finishes. To give the top layer the necessary texture, it needs to be processed, grouted with plaster. By itself, this process is not very complicated, but it requires compliance with some rules. Without this, it will not be possible to achieve a high-quality result.
What is the grouting process
This is the last stage of the plastering work. It consists of fixing minor bugs. The walls are leveled and smoothed by rubbing the previously applied composition with a special tool. Before grouting, a "coating" is applied to the working surface - this is the finishing layer of the plaster mortar. The grouting process is performed after the composition has set, but before it dries.
Tool selection
A trowel is an item used when applying a mixture and to eliminate defects made during the plastering process. It can be used to removethe surface of the excess mortar and lightly level the base. However, it is impossible to achieve complete smoothness with it; this requires a grater. This tool has a lot of positive features:
- Ease of use. The design is made in such a way that even with many hours of continuous work, a person does not experience discomfort.
- Light weight. For the production of graters, light materials are used so that the hands do not get tired of heavy work.
- Low cost.
- Long service life. Subject to the application technique and careful attitude, one grater is enough to process a thousand square meters.
- Great choice. There are a variety of graters on the construction markets: wooden, plastic, metal, large, small, and so on.
- Water resistant. The plastering tool is made from materials that do not absorb moisture.
Varieties of graters
Earlier, tools for grouting plaster were made exclusively from wood. A piece of wood was taken as a basis and a plane with a handle was cut out of it. But such a product has a significant drawback - the natural material quickly absorbs moisture, so it becomes very heavy during prolonged use, and after drying, the base is deformed and cracked.
Modern manufacturers produce different types of graters. They are classified depending on the material from which the work surface is made. It could be a treeplastic, polyurethane, latex, foam, rubber, sponge or metal. When choosing, you should rely on experience with these materials or on the recommendations of specialists.
Tool selection
Each type of grater has its purpose:
- Spongy. Used for grouting decorative plaster.
- Styrofoam. The cheapest and most fragile material that breaks with any careless movement.
- Metal. It is used for leveling porous plaster compositions, as well as for preparing the surface for applying paint.
For a novice repairman, it is best to give preference to a polyurethane grater, which is strong, durable and lightweight. But the plastic product is more suitable for professionals. Such a grater is most often used for one-time work on grouting plaster.
Preparing a solution for covering
For this purpose, the composition is kneaded in the same proportions as for the main layer:
- Cement mortar - three parts sand and one part cement.
- Cement-lime composition - one part of cement with lime is mixed with three parts of sand.
The only feature of the preparation of such solutions is to use as fine sand as possible. The grain size should not exceed 1.5 mm. Coarse sand can only be used if tiles are to be used as the top wall covering.
In order for the grouting mortar to be of high quality,it is necessary to monitor its fat content (content of astringent components). The greasy mixture will be poorly leveled and leave streaks, and if this indicator is insufficient, the plaster will begin to crumble during surface treatment.
Preparing the solution
The process consists of the following steps:
- Sand is sifted through a fine sieve, the optimal mesh size is 1.51.5 mm.
- Cement, sand are poured into the mixing container and all this is thoroughly mixed.
- Water is poured in small portions. This should be done until the solution acquires the desired consistency.
If a cement-lime mortar is mixed, then the lime must also be sifted through a sieve. If there are even small grains, traces will remain on the plastered surface, and subsequently it will not be possible to achieve perfect smoothness.
Procedure of actions
The process of grouting after plastering consists of several stages, the first of which is the application of a coating.
- The plastered surface is wetted with a spray gun. This is necessary in order to increase the degree of adhesion of the primer layer to the coating. Humidification should be carried out evenly, without gaps. At the same time, the surface should not be heavily wetted, water should not drain in streams. This is done 15-20 minutes before applying the composition. If the working area is very large, then it must be divided into sections and only the one that will be processed should be moistened. If you don't have a sprayer handy, you canuse a brush. Soak it in water and splash it on the wall.
- To apply the covering, you will need a trowel and a wide spatula or a metal rule. The solution is poured onto the work surface in small portions. You should start from the top, gradually distributing the composition as a rule over the entire wall. The tool must be pressed with force so that the solution clogs more densely and penetrates even into microscopic irregularities. Excess is removed immediately. The maximum thickness of this coating is 2mm.
- After the mortar has adhered, you can pick up a grater and start grouting cement plaster. Some masters prefer to do this at the same time as applying the composition.
When to do this - there is not much difference, and the result is not affected. The main thing is to distribute the composition well over the surface so that all irregularities disappear. Consider each of the methods in detail.
Dry method
If you decide to wait until the plaster on the wall dries and grout later, the process will be as follows:
- A polyurethane or metal grater dipped in water is taken.
- The tool is pressed against the work surface and with the help of circular movements the process of leveling the plaster begins.
You don't need to press hard on the grater, otherwise there is a risk of tearing off the fresh composition, but too weak movements will not bring results.
Efforts must be distributed evenly, slowly moving along surfaces from top to bottom or horizontally. At the junctions of the walls, the basethe grater is applied parallel to the corners, and the direction of movement of the hands changes from circular to vertical. Where tubercles are visible, the tool should be pressed harder, and in deepening zones, the pressure force, on the contrary, is reduced. In the process, a solution is collected on the sides of the grater, so it needs to be removed from time to time. You can do this with a wet brush.
When grouting gypsum plaster over a large area, the coating dries quickly. As a result, the job becomes more difficult. To correct the situation, the solution must be moistened with water. You can use a wet brush or sprayer for this purpose.
Grout with mortar
When using the compound application method, the process consists of the following steps:
- A small amount of mortar for grouting plaster is collected on a grater (its consistency should be slightly thinner than for plastering walls), after that the tool is applied to the surface and the contents are evenly distributed over the plane. The grater must be kept at an angle.
- After applying the mortar, the tool blade is pressed against the wall, and the grouting process begins. Movements can be arcuate or circular, but always careful and uniform.
With this method of application, the mortar for grouting the walls after plastering is spent very economically, but it takes a lot of time. To avoid solidification of the composition, it is better to knead it in small portions. If one largeplane, then the intervals between grouting adjacent sections should be as short as possible, a break is allowed only to prepare a new portion of the solution. When moistening the next square of the surface, it is recommended to wet the edges of the already rubbed, this will increase the degree of adhesion. After drying, the transitions will not be noticeable.
Expert Tips
You can check the quality of work performed in the following ways:
- Directional lamp light along the work surface will help to identify any irregularities and errors.
- A building level applied to the surfaces will accurately “show” whether any irregularities remain. You can eliminate the shortcomings with the help of a grinding bar (grater).
Before you start grouting the surface of the walls, it is necessary to take measures to protect other rooms of the residential building from the smallest dust particles that inevitably form during the plastering process. The following steps will help ensure cleanliness:
- Wrapping all furniture and items in the room with plastic wrap. For more thorough protection, secure the material with tape.
- Hanging windows with polyethylene. The film is fixed along the width and length of the openings with adhesive tape.
- Hanging a wet cloth on the front door. A wet cloth is also placed under the threshold so that dust does not fly into neighboring rooms.
And you should also take care of your own safety. In the process of plastering and grouting walls, it is recommended to wear a special mask,safety goggles and clothing. Shake items thoroughly before putting them in the washing machine.
Conclusion
Do-it-yourself grouting plaster is, of course, a time-consuming process, but not very difficult. Almost anyone can master the work, even without the appropriate skills. To get a good result will require patience, practice and quality materials. If you take the matter seriously, then, in the end, you will get beautiful and even walls, completely ready for further processing.
