Bathroom Plasterboard Ceiling Question

Bathroom Plasterboard Ceiling Question

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Discussion

jdw1234

Original Poster:

6,021 posts

214 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
Apologies as this question is going to sound retarded to those in the trade.

Just moved into girlfriend's flat. The bathroom is in need of redecoration.

1st job is to replace the ceiling. It appears to be plasterboard attached to ceiling joists.

There is currently no extractor fan and I would like to install new spotlights and a mirror demister.

Question: Do I need to get a qualified electrician to install the extractor fan and adjust the wiring for new lights? I have heard there are now laws regarding wiring in bathrooms?

Many thanks for all replies in advance.

ln1234

848 posts

197 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
Yes, the Part P regulations stipulate that only qualified persons can do this kind of wiring in your house (complete with a certificate). You can always make this cheaper by doing all the donkey work yourself - i.e. replacing the ceiling, putting channels in for the new wiring and the holes for the extractor fan (including ducting). Then you can just pay an electrician to connect things up and check it's all ok.

jdw1234

Original Poster:

6,021 posts

214 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
ln1234 said:
Yes, the Part P regulations stipulate that only qualified persons can do this kind of wiring in your house (complete with a certificate). You can always make this cheaper by doing all the donkey work yourself - i.e. replacing the ceiling, putting channels in for the new wiring and the holes for the extractor fan (including ducting). Then you can just pay an electrician to connect things up and check it's all ok.
I appreciate the response mate!

One other stupid question.

I assume the electric work will need to be carried out before the ceiling is replaced.

The next floor up is another flat so no access through the floor. I cant see how lights/extractor fan can be installed once the plasterboard is in place.

I realise that will seem like a really stupid question!


illmonkey

18,097 posts

197 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
jdw1234 said:
ln1234 said:
Yes, the Part P regulations stipulate that only qualified persons can do this kind of wiring in your house (complete with a certificate). You can always make this cheaper by doing all the donkey work yourself - i.e. replacing the ceiling, putting channels in for the new wiring and the holes for the extractor fan (including ducting). Then you can just pay an electrician to connect things up and check it's all ok.
I appreciate the response mate!

One other stupid question.

I assume the electric work will need to be carried out before the ceiling is replaced.

The next floor up is another flat so no access through the floor. I cant see how lights/extractor fan can be installed once the plasterboard is in place.

I realise that will seem like a really stupid question!
You can put the plater board up, cut a hole and mount the fan, you just cant touch the electrics.

GreenDog

2,261 posts

191 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
Something that's perhaps worth considering whilst you have the ceiling down is installing insulation or sound deadening if you're in a flat.
Just a thought.

ln1234

848 posts

197 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
Extractor fans these days need an isolating switch implemented, usually outside the bathroom, so what you could do is take down the old ceiling (being careful with existing wiring), put in the ducting / sound insulation etc, and then put the new plasterboard ceiling up, cutting holes where required (for the extractor and lighting). The electrician can then use his 'access rods' to feed cable through the holes you've created.

It really depends on how much you fancy doing yourself, as by law you can pretty much do everything in your house apart from wiring and gas plumbing.

jdw1234

Original Poster:

6,021 posts

214 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for all your replies.

Exactly the information I needed to know.

Isn't Pistonheads brilliant!

Cheers chaps.


cjs

10,675 posts

250 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
I would knock out some holes in the old ceiling, you can then fish the wires through those holes for your new lights and a new fan. Once you have cabled you can tack a new layer of plasterboard over the old ceiling, bring you cables out in the correct positions, job done.

Advantages. Far less mess as you leave most of the old ceiling in place. Better sound proofing, you have two layers of PB.

As for doing the wiring your self. Just do it, if you know what you are doing that is. No one will ever know. If you can get you hands on some old Red/Black twin and earth then use that. You can then say it was done in 1999 if anyone ever asks!


Only do the electrics if you know what you are doing!

Busamav

2,954 posts

207 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
You may/ will require fire hoods over the top of the downlighters to maintain the fire required fire resistance which I believe will be 1 hour.

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
Is there any reason why you wouldn't lay the cable yourself (assuming you knew where it should go/what type of cable to use) and then get a qualified sparky to make all of the connections?

I assume it only becomes 'against the law' if you actually connect the wiring/cabling to a live system...

Autonotiv

2,673 posts

223 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
Just pull the whole lot down.

Get spark in to run ducts / new cables for ligts etc (we call the first fix)

Put new ceiling up.

Get spread in to spread it!

Give the ceiling a mist coat, paint waterd down by 20%.

Get spark back to fit lights, fans and switches (we call this second fix)

Then give the ceiling another coat or 2 to finish off.

Ask freinds / familiy if they know a spark who they can recomend.

What area are you in, i may know some one.

HTH


E31Shrew

5,919 posts

191 months

Wednesday 6th August 2008
quotequote all
We did the same in our house a few years ago. luckily had high ceilings so just used some 4x2 and put a false ceiling in over the original. Made installing downlighters a breeze and allowed for extra sound insulation