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Sunday, May 08, 2011
The good news is that the average homeowner with limited experience and expertise in this area can fix most ceiling problems using bathroom ceiling paint tips in Kenilworth. In a multi-level home, there is the potential risk of ceiling damage to a drywall ceiling from water leaks usually originating in an upstairs bathroom. These water leaks work their way through the floor treatment and rest on the top of the ceiling drywall. The result is a discolored, stained area. The first step, of course, is to stop the water leak by closing the valve that is supplying the leaking fixture. Get rid of any standing water in the area using the traditional method of mops or a dry/wet vacuum. Use plastic sheets or other waterproof material to cover the floor area beneath the damaged ceiling. Place buckets or other containers on the floor to catch the released water. Start at the center of the damaged area and make a hole in the ceiling using an awl or a large screwdriver.
Going back to the scenario where the damaged areas are fairly small and the drywall is still in pretty good shape, after the ceiling has drained and dried completely (see above), use fine or extra fine sandpaper to level the areas where the holes were drilled. Using a small putty knife or your finger, apply joint compound to the holes and scrape off the excess. You may have to apply more than one coat of joint compound to make the filled holes level with the rest of the ceiling. When the joint compound has dried completely, use fine or extra fine sandpaper to finish the area. Run your fingers over the area to insure that the repaired area is completely smooth. If it’s not, sand it some more or fill any dimples, etc. with more joint compound and continue the process until the area is completely smooth. After wiping the excess dust from the sanded area, finish the job by painting the area to match the ceiling. Since paint fades over time, it may be necessary to paint the entire ceiling so that the color is consistent throughout.
Make sure that the floor, furniture and any other items are covered with some type of waterproof covering. Then, using a spray bottle with a mixed solution of six parts of water to one part of bleach, spray (but do not soak) the discolored area. A light spray coat may need to be applied several times. If this does the trick, you’ve solved the problem. Touch-up the area or repaint the entire ceiling. If the stain persists, you can purchase a stain-killing primer, spray the area with the primer with a light coat. It may be necessary to do this several times. When the primer has dried, finish the job with ceiling paint covering the repaired area or paint the entire ceiling.
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