How to use beacons for wall alignment

To qualitatively plaster the wall, it is necessaryto achieve the most flat surface. To simplify the task, the technology of leveling walls using special guides called beacons is used.

Маяки изготавливают из металла, пластика, делают yourself from gypsum or cement mortar. The use of ready-made guides greatly speeds up the process, practically without affecting the cost of finishing works: they are inexpensive, they are installed much faster than self-made ones. In addition, their advantage is that the solution that gets on a metal or plastic lighthouse is easy to clean, but with gypsum or cement it is not easy.

So, we buy beacons of the right size (from heightdepends on the thickness of the plaster layer), cut them into pieces of the required size (standard length - 3 m), using the usual construction scissors for metal.

How to install beacons on a solution

On the wall with a plumb or coated threadWe apply vertical lines in different angles of the wall. On each of them we prepare at least five pieces of mortar, for which we install beacons for leveling the walls. Each guide is pressed down so that a solution passes through the fixing holes. After that, the beacons, using the building level, are aligned vertically.

After beacons for leveling the walls bycorners are established, between them pull two cords from above and from below which form a plane of the future plaster. Next is the installation of intermediate guides. The distance between them is determined by the size of the rule that will be used for plastering. If the rule has a length of 2 meters, the step with which the beacons are installed to level the walls is 1.7-1.9 m. The order of their installation is similar, but there is no need to check their verticality: they are aligned by cords.

Preparation of solution and plastering

Aligning the walls under the beacons providesapplication of mortar for plastering. Most often dry mixtures are used, which are usually added to water. Prepare for their use, strictly following the instructions that are attached to each composition.

The process of plastering itself is divided into three stages:

1. Nabryzg.Use a more liquid formulation, for which a little more water is added to the stock solution. Then it is sprayed onto the wall with a thin layer (not more than 2-3 mm). Align this layer is not necessary (if its maximum thickness does not exceed the height of the beacons).
2. Priming.The solution is done according to the instructions, a thicker layer is applied. In the interval between the beacons a mortar is pawned, which is aligned from bottom to top with a rule. It pulls, as a support using beacons to level the walls. The excess solution is removed from the tool with a spatula and sent to the bucket for later use. The first pass to achieve an ideal surface is not possible, so using a spatula, tears and shells fill with a solution, and then re-pass the rule.
3. Finishing layer or smoothing.A small amount of plaster should be diluted to the state of sour cream. This compound is applied to the still soft plaster (it should be 40-60 minutes after it is applied) and rubbed with stainless steel. As a result, the surface should be flat and glossy.

Each layer of plaster is applied only then,when the previous one is dry (exception - smoothing). In addition, it is desirable to coat each of the layers with a primer for better adhesion (adhesion). The primer should also be dried. Long lasting is a process. But there is nothing too complicated in it, but if you hire builders, it will not be worth it. Aligning the walls by lighthouses (the price is considered as the square of the square) costs approximately in the amount that goes to purchase materials. So decide: either pay decent money, or do it yourself.