dot & dab plasterboard

[Webbit]

Hi All,
Got a wall in my hall way where the old plaster was so badly blown it basically fell off when stripping the wall paper.

My plasterer recommended dot & dabbing plasterboard instead of full on plastering as it will be cheaper (and i don't mind plasterboad/hollow sounding walls).

I've read up on the process and am happy, but my walls are 2500mm tall and i've got lots of 2400mm plasterboard left over from doing the ceilings. My question: is there a problem in dot & dabbing 2400 + 100mm offcuts at the top of the walls, would prefer not to have to buy more plasterboard for this job?

Cheers,
Matt

[rb5er]

Is this a wall in your house? If so it will still need a plaster skim over it.

Ideally you want to be dot dabbing more like 200mm of board although 100mm should be fine as long as it is in line with the main plasterboard.

[rb5er]

Webbit said:

My plasterer recommended dot & dabbing plasterboard instead of full on plastering as it will be cheaper (and i don't mind plasterboad/hollow sounding walls).

He recommended this method as opposed to what? I dont see how any other method could be more expensive. It is the full on proper way of doing it.

[B160 AVE]

No problem in doing it chum, but push the 2400mm lengths up to the ceiling and in-fill the 100mm strips in at the floor. You will need a skim over the top, but any imperfections are less noticable at floor level than at ceiling level

[Kudos]

Perhaps cut the 2400mm into smaller lengths and use the off cuts to make up the gaps?

I used dot and dab, very quick and little skill needed. Just make sure it's straight or it makes the skimming more difficult

[roofer]

Skirting size? Coving?

[dickymint]

roofer said:

Skirting size? Coving?

Edzackery. There's your 100mm gone.

[dickymint]

rb5er said:

Webbit said:

My plasterer recommended dot & dabbing plasterboard instead of full on plastering as it will be cheaper (and i don't mind plasterboad/hollow sounding walls).

He recommended this method as opposed to what? I dont see how any other method could be more expensive. It is the full on proper way of doing it.

As opposed to doing it the old fashioned "full on proper way" before plasterboard was invented. Dot and dab plasterboard is usual cheaper because it's usually done by a decent labourer leaving an easier surface for the higher paid plasterer to coat.

A good plasterer could cover the walls without plasterboard as quickly if not quicker - however you have to factor in the drying time between coats.

[Arthur Jackson]

I'd do anything to avoid a dot-and-dab wall. Fixing anything to it is a nightmare unless you can drill through the adhesive.

[mrmaggit]

Or go to a proper Builders Merchant that stocks 2500mm boards.

Like we do.

[TallPaul]

If you dont strip the original plaster off the brick before sticking the boards, they will only be as secure as the underlying substrate. Whilst they are very unlikely to actually "fall off" the wall, they may be more prone to movement/settlement cracks at the unions of any boards.
If you dont intend to stay in the property for too long (a few years or so), I wouldnt worry but if you plan on keeping it for any length of time, strip the walls and replaster. Actually getting the blown plaster off is pretty easy, its just a case of a couple of days labour and plenty of dust/debris. You could easily do it yourself if you can handle the mess, then just pay the plasterer to recoat the walls.

[Webbit]

Cheers guys, was debating whether to have the 10cm in fills at the top or bottom, bottom I think it will be.

Skirts are about 8cm.

I've got 2700 length soundbloc board for the party walls, bought in bulk from Travis with the rest of the 2400 stuff. It's just I hadn't planned for this particular wall to require re-doing so will be using left overs from the ceilings (2400, as I haven't got enough 2700).

This is DIY so taking the time off work to have another lot delivered isn't an option at the moment.

Not worried about hanging stuff - they'll be a picture if anything on this particular wall.

And Yes it's a wall in my house, my plasterer will be skimming over the boards.

No coving, this is last but one area and all others are non-coved but plastered ceilings and lining paper walls (upstairs) and full skim walls + ceilings planned downstairs as don't particularly like the way lining paper has turned out.


Matt

Edited by Webbit on Saturday 20th August 21:36

[Dave Dax builder]

Arthur Jackson said:

I'd do anything to avoid a dot-and-dab wall. Fixing anything to it is a nightmare unless you can drill through the adhesive.

What he said.

I did this in my extension and what a PITA it is to fix anything to. I should have studded the lot and then clad that with OSB board then screwed plaster board to that. This way you can screw absolutely anything to it anywhere with no need for rawl plugs either.

[mrmaggit]

Dave Dax builder said:

What he said.

I did this in my extension and what a PITA it is to fix anything to. I should have studded the lot and then clad that with OSB board then screwed plaster board to that. This way you can screw absolutely anything to it anywhere with no need for rawl plugs either.

Good idea, that; just make sure that somewhere in the documents it mentions it, so that later occupants can benefit from the foresight.

[andy43]

mrmaggit said:

Or go to a proper Builders Merchant that stocks 2500mm boards.

Like we do.

You can get custom length boards in some merchants - but there's usually a long stand wait involved.

But do it right - wet plastering is what was there before it fell off - a better finish imho and worth the extra £.