How to use beacons for wall alignment

To qualitatively plaster the wall, you need to achieve the most flat surface. To simplify the task, the technology of leveling walls using special guides, called beacons, is used. Lighthouses are made of metal, plastic, made independently of 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 has got 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 (the thickness of the plaster layer depends on the height of the beacon), cut them into pieces of the required size (the standard length is 3 m), using the usual construction scissors for metal.

How to install beacons on a solution

On the wall with a plumb or coated thread we apply vertical lines in different corners 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 in such a way that a solution passes through the fixing holes. After that, the beacons, using the building level, are aligned vertically.

After the beacons for aligning the walls at the corners are installed, between them pull the two strings from above and from below, which form the 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 for leveling the walls is 1.7-1.9 m. The order of their installation is similar, only there is no need to check their verticality: they are aligned on the cords.

Preparation of solution and plastering

Aligning the walls under the beacons provides for the use of a solution 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. Further, 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 not dried plaster (should pass 40-60 minutes after its application) and rubbed with a stainless steel smoothing brush. As a result, the surface should be flat and glossy.

Each layer of plaster is applied only when the previous one has dried (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. Prolonged is the process. But there is nothing too complicated in it, but if we hire builders, it will not be expensive. 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.