Discussion
I have a small utility room with an old ceiling which needs to be sorted. Contrary to what some people have suggested, I don't really want to 'tack' over the existing lath plaster... so I've decided to rip the lot down.
Best way: attack with hammer?
Or try and pull it down in sections, say, with a reciprocating saw?
Best way: attack with hammer?
Or try and pull it down in sections, say, with a reciprocating saw?
Bedord Rascal said:
I would reconsider putting boards over if I were you...
By overboarding, and a new skim, you will only lose around 10mm of ceiling height - must be worth that small loss of height in exchange for not having a dust ridden house for months!Having said that, I'm lucky that the ceilings are nine feet here - so losing 10mm or so makes little difference.
I have replaced three ceilings in my house, and would go for overboarding every time. I've only ripped one old lath/plaster ceiling out here, and would never, ever, ever do it again.
Meeja said:
Bedord Rascal said:
I would reconsider putting boards over if I were you...
By overboarding, and a new skim, you will only lose around 10mm of ceiling height - must be worth that small loss of height in exchange for not having a dust ridden house for months!Having said that, I'm lucky that the ceilings are nine feet here - so losing 10mm or so makes little difference.
I have replaced three ceilings in my house, and would go for overboarding every time. I've only ripped one old lath/plaster ceiling out here, and would never, ever, ever do it again.
I was hoping for a majority vote on ripping it down.
Overboarding.
Hmmm.
Not worried about loss in height, but, with the old crap pulled down, I can install downlighters etc, hide the loo extractor etc.
It's a s
t job and I think it has to be done. Thinking to tape up door into house and (obvioulsy) open the one that leads out. Then attack with a shovel.
Horse hair, lime, wood, nails...
Overboarding.
Hmmm.
Not worried about loss in height, but, with the old crap pulled down, I can install downlighters etc, hide the loo extractor etc.
It's a s
t job and I think it has to be done. Thinking to tape up door into house and (obvioulsy) open the one that leads out. Then attack with a shovel.Horse hair, lime, wood, nails...
Rip it down. You'll never be happy knowing you did a half-arsed job and the board over lath will make any future electrician's job a misery.
Gives you the excuse to buy one of these, too:
http://www.stanleyfubar.com/
£20odd from B&Q.
To remove large chunks, knock out a small hole, measure the depth of the ceiling, then use tin snips to cut down a reciprocating saw (£30 for the weekend from HSS) blade to that depth. You can then cut out panels while minimising the risk of damage to structures above. Do also bear in mind that some cretin may have loose laid cables on top of the ceiling
Gives you the excuse to buy one of these, too:
http://www.stanleyfubar.com/
£20odd from B&Q.
To remove large chunks, knock out a small hole, measure the depth of the ceiling, then use tin snips to cut down a reciprocating saw (£30 for the weekend from HSS) blade to that depth. You can then cut out panels while minimising the risk of damage to structures above. Do also bear in mind that some cretin may have loose laid cables on top of the ceiling
Took down most of the ceilings in my house using a crowbar. Absolutely filthy job, blowing crap out of my nose for days.
Wear a cap, glasses and a mask. Masking tape the door to stop dust.
Alternatively, overboard, which to be honest I would definitely do in future. The mess is just not worth the hassle and having had one ceiling professionally done, looks just as good.
Wear a cap, glasses and a mask. Masking tape the door to stop dust.
Alternatively, overboard, which to be honest I would definitely do in future. The mess is just not worth the hassle and having had one ceiling professionally done, looks just as good.
Don't fanny about with a saw. They kick up even more dust and you not only run the risk of going through a cable (potentially live) but you could also hit a pipe that has also been laid on top of the ceiling running parallel to the joists.
I speak from experience. Not only did I get piss wet through, I also stood on a nail in the panic.
I speak from experience. Not only did I get piss wet through, I also stood on a nail in the panic.
trumpet600 said:
Don't fanny about with a saw. They kick up even more dust and you not only run the risk of going through a cable (potentially live) but you could also hit a pipe that has also been laid on top of the ceiling running parallel to the joists.
A crowbar will comfortably rip a water pipe clean out of the ceiling. The only way to eliminate the risks is to turn off the water and power and/or lift the floor above. Small dusty chunks, big dusty chunks, it's a horrible job however you do it.trumpet600 said:
Glassman said:
Not worried about loss in height, but, with the old crap pulled down, I can install downlighters etc, hide the loo extractor etc.
And you still can
That's exactly what I did with my kitchen ceiling - overboarded the cracked/damaged lath/plaster ceiling (having knocked a few inspection holes first - very good idea) then drilled the downlight holes in place - and cleaned out the immediate area around the hole - then installed downlighter.
God !!! Dont do it you will find dust for months and months and months, every ceiling in our house is lath plaster and its a complete pain in the backside
This is what I was going to do but in the end took advise and just tacked over it it went from this
to this
still finding dust 3 months on !!!!
This is what I was going to do but in the end took advise and just tacked over it it went from this
to this
still finding dust 3 months on !!!!
Edited by phib on Monday 18th August 11:44
Meeja said:
trumpet600 said:
Glassman said:
Not worried about loss in height, but, with the old crap pulled down, I can install downlighters etc, hide the loo extractor etc.
And you still canThat's exactly what I did with my kitchen ceiling - overboarded the cracked/damaged lath/plaster ceiling (having knocked a few inspection holes first - very good idea) then drilled the downlight holes in place - and cleaned out the immediate area around the hole - then installed downlighter.
Get a roll of cheap polythene or tempoaray sheating and a roll of duck tape
Make sure you seal all the doorways fully otherwise the dust will get everywhere. I would double sheetit just to make sure.
Then just hit it with a hammer or crow bar. Do it all the time at work. I would a get a few rubble sacks aswell to clear it all up.
A mask would be ideal if your in a confined space
Make sure you seal all the doorways fully otherwise the dust will get everywhere. I would double sheetit just to make sure.
Then just hit it with a hammer or crow bar. Do it all the time at work. I would a get a few rubble sacks aswell to clear it all up.
A mask would be ideal if your in a confined space
phib said:
God !!! Dont do it you will find dust for months and months and months, every ceiling in our house is lath plaster and its a complete pain in the backside
This is what I was going to do but in the end took advise and just tacked over it it went from this
to this
still finding dust 3 months on !!!!
That'll look great when it's finished.This is what I was going to do but in the end took advise and just tacked over it it went from this
to this
still finding dust 3 months on !!!!
(Just kidding! Nice work.)
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