Kitchen ceiling advice needed!

[CzechItOut]

Several months ago we had a leak in our bathroom which caused several large patches of damp on our kitchen ceiling. So much so that some of the Aertex has fallen off the ceiling.

The leak was successfully fixed.

A few weeks back I noticed a small, but very damp patch on the ceiling directly under the toilet. My wife said that when she has flushed the toilet that water was coming out from the edge of the cistern, but this doesn't seem to be happening any more.

We also have a very old florescent strip light which I would like replaced with some spotlights.

I don't intend to do any of this work myself (I've tried plastering a ceiling, never again!). Where do I start with workmen? I'd like to get the ceiling replaced and plastered and lights fitted. Do I need a plaster and an electrician, or will one person do it all?

I'd also like to get a plumber in to make sure everything is water tight, but I'm wondering if sending him on a wild goose chase for a leak that might not exist is a waste of time and money?

[andy43]

Get the ceiling down - then you'll be able to trace any leaks.
Boarding the ceiling yourself (it's not difficult) then getting a plasterer in would be the cheapest way of doing it - or you could even just tape the joints and re-artex it with a roller yourself.
Lights are a different matter - cue Part P kitchen/bathroom warnings - presumably there's also a bit in Part P about plastering within 100m of a toilet...

[cjs]

I would fit plaster board over the existing ceiling, a lot easier and a lot less mess!

[Stig]

cjs said:

I would fit plaster board over the existing ceiling, a lot easier and a lot less mess!

Not without making sure there are no leaks first or you're just delaying the failure of another ceiling!

[cjs]

Stig said:

cjs said:

I would fit plaster board over the existing ceiling, a lot easier and a lot less mess!

Not without making sure there are no leaks first or you're just delaying the failure of another ceiling!

Of course.

[CzechItOut]

Can I take down a section of the current ceiling and still give me enough to attached a new plasterboard ceiling to?

[cjs]

CzechItOut said:

Can I take down a section of the current ceiling and still give me enough to attached a new plasterboard ceiling to?

The new plaster board will screw into the joists. If you take down a section then you will need to pack out the joists to keep the new boards level.

[Flintstone]

CzechItOut said:

some of the Aertex has fallen off the ceiling.

Your ceiling is covered with t-shirt material?


I'd love to get rid of the bloody artex on our ceilings but short of re-boarding, skimming or sanding it all off......................

[Gingerbread Man]

Flintstone said:

CzechItOut said:

some of the Aertex has fallen off the ceiling.

Your ceiling is covered with t-shirt material?


I'd love to get rid of the bloody artex on our ceilings but short of re-boarding, skimming or sanding it all off......................

If you did sand it all off, Artex applied more than thirty years ago may contain asbestos and it is prob not the best idea!