I have a plater ceiling still in good shape, but with the lath coming off of the joists underneath. I read somewhere about a washer that i could use to reattach the plaster, but now of course, I can’t find that reference anywhere. Can you guys help me?
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Someone asked this question within the past month or so. If you search on the words "plaster washers" you may get some old discussions to come up. Someone even supplied a link to sources. All I remember is I got mine from Charles Street Hardware in Boston, but there are many other sources. Good luck.
That is the correct name of the original source. McFeeley's also sells them now online....that's not a mistake, it's rustic
try a rubber roofing contractor they use large washers to hold down their fibreboard i have used them to secure 2inch thermax sheathing to ceilings with 3inch drywall screws the head does not slip through the hole however, u would probably be better off dropping the existing ceiling and cut your losses good luck
<try a rubber roofing contractor>
You mean like Gumby?
Believe it or not, I've actually bought some of the plaster/ceiling washers or "buttons" at Home Depot. Located near the drywall screws in hardware aisle.
All I got at the Boxes near me were dumb looks and the eventual "Never heard of it. It doesn't exist."...that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Hmmmm, Il'l check my local dumpot again. It might be a regional item, I live in Newport RI. Maybe there is more demand for them in New England.....will get back to you.AS
I was using some on a room in my house this weekend. Work great where the lathe is strong. They also do a great job of letting you know where the plaster should just be patched. Particularly if you zip one up too fast....that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Eggsactly! I had one wall I patched in my house that I swear I must have used 40-50 of them, should have took a picture.
It is a regonal thing. I used to live in Coventry, Rhode Island and found them at the Warwick HD. Since I moved to Ohio, I can't find them anymore.
Conrad
I saw Tommy use them on a episode of Ask This Old House to make a repair, made just for that. Couldn't you just use fender washers?
Couldn't you just use fender washers?
Perhaps, but the design of the manufactured metal plaster washer lends it to it's designated use much better than a fenderwasher.
pat0- if your post question title is also insinuating foamboard insulation than the common plastic washer often used for feltpaper and the like and found at most hardware stores, will suffice with a drywall screw.
Is this your first involvement with plaster repair?
Cheers
Edited 1/31/2007 4:48 pm ET by rez
Edited 1/31/2007 6:17 pm ET by rez
Yeah, it is my first go. I'm trying not to be to anal, but I do want to save what is feasible to save.
It might be advantageous for you to use the achive listing of old threads on Breaktime.
If you scroll up in the upper left corner of your screen there is an advanced search function that will take you to a page of instructions directing you to previous threads dealing with whatever you type in the search bar.
If you type in 'plaster repair', 'plaster washers', or other keywords of the subject matter you'll get a supply of data from those old threads.
As cynwyd said previously drilling a pilot hole might serve you well. Helps keep the old plaster more solid and locate the lath thereby screwing the wood instead of open air between them.
Hopefully you'll not discover the excitement of finding broken keys wedged between the lath and the back of the plaster. :o)
Cheers
Broken keys between the lathe and plaster!!! Oh, how I hate that!
I find myself thinking like Tom Silva, "I'll just take it all out and install new. I can all new wiring including some Cat5e and insulate it all with the foam!"...that's not a mistake, it's rustic
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=1&cat=3,41306,41316&p=40099
pat0, the link supplied by jer will give you a good visual of what the washers look like, but you can find them at any big box store in my neck of the woods (New England) , maybe in your's too! Whatever you do ,don't use fender washers or the like, they won't work as a plaster washer is designed to work.
Geoff
Those plaster washers were first featured in "Old House Journal" maybe twenty years ago or more. They work great, as my kitchen ceiling attests. Use drywall screws and not be sparing. Their concave shape means that you can plaster over thme without them showing. It doesn't have to be traditional wooden lathe for them to work, as I've used them with old rock lathe. So long as you get a solid area underneath that will support the plaster. Of course, push the plaster up as you csrew them in so that it doesn't crack.
I have just installed 50 or so washer/screws in one of my walls that needs repair & painting. I get the washers from Lee Valley and the screws locally from Pacific Fasteners.Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
You want ceiling washers, especially made for this application. They are thin and will dig into teh plaster. They have small perforation so when you cover tehm with mud it sticks to them real good. At the big boxes and other HW stores, box of 100 for ~$7.
Don't use fender washers for this.
Will see if I can get a pic.
fuzzy pic but yo get the point
View Image
http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/RWP-1200/Plaster-Washers-Plain
Here's a good place to start;
http://www.charlesstsupply.com/plaster_washers/
I haven't looked at their instructions in awhile, but my experience is that for lath you're way ahead to drill pilot holes. To force a screw into something as dry and thin as lath just begs for splitting, which you can watch happen if you're working next to a plaster void.
I think the McFeely's version are under perforated.
Edited 2/5/2007 9:47 pm ET by cynwyd