Plastering a problem ceiling

[Peter Ashby]

I have a ceiling to plaster, only a small bathroom but it needs to cover a multitude of sins. It started when we decided to do something about the horrible, smelly ceiling tiles. On pulling them down I discovered that the pratt who had installed them had used large dollops of epoxy, one at each corner and one in the middle, about 4cm across and 5mm thick. I have spent several weekends with shavehook, sander and filling knife getting it to the point where nothing protrudes more than a millimetre. On one side is a small patch of contact cement which I have scraped flat and is no longer sticky.

So, any suggestions as to which product I would best employ to cover this lot? I have installed a ceiling with gyproc boards, taped the edges, smoothed them with plaster and sanded flat and got a very good result, so I am keen to have a go. However this was 12years ago and in NZ. I would rather not remove the ceiling if I don't have to.

Peter

[stoker]

Polycell now do a product called Coverall (IIRC). You spread it over the defects and rub down afterwards if necessary. I've had some success with a wall and a ceiling.

HTH

David Peter Ashby wrote:

epoxy,

filling

country

[Bob Mannix]

You have probably provided your own answer. Don't take the old ceiling down, use extra long nails and put plasterboard over the existing. You only need

9mm board (3/8" in old money) for a ceiling, so if you skim it you will only lose about 12mm in total. If you tape/fill/sand, only 10mm (including your protrusions!).

[Christian McArdle]

How about installing a ceiling with gyproc boards, taping the edges and smooting with plaster?

You don't have to. Drywall screws come in versions long enough to go through the existing ceiling into the joists. You do need to locate the joists, however. In a top storey, this can be done by drilling down from the loft space and drilling 25cm to the side. If a loft is not available, drill a few holes from below and poke around with some bent wire to find the joists.

Christian.

[Mike]

A couple of bags of Gyproc Easyfill (£10 bag at B&Q) and a large plasterer's trowel (£15). Then a cheap B&Q sander to flatten off any bumps whereupon it will have died so you can take it back for refund.

Oh and a good mask.

[The Natural Philosopher]

I'd employ a professional plasterer.

[Rob Morley]

Chicken :-)

[Mike]

Well that's you blacklisted here then :-)

Raises an interesting question - what jobs do people here always get the experts in ?

Mine is wall-tiling though after today carpet-fitting may be added as my back is killing me from all the carpet stretching. And I thought it would be an easy job.

[Peter Ashby]

Well firstly this is uk.diy and secondly I can always call in a pro if I make a hash of it :-) This has also occurred to swmbo when she agreed to me having a go at it.

Besides, I may find out I have an ability at plastering which can be put to good use elsewhere.

Thanks to everyone for the responses btw, I fancy the new plasterboard over the top idea not least because the wall tiles were laid after the ceiling tiles so there is a larger than helpfull but smaller than useful gap between the tiles and the revealed ceiling. Putting plasterboard over it would solve that problem at a stroke.

Peter

[Mike]

I found that the other half had an ability at plastering. So now she's lumbered with doing it:-)

[Christian McArdle]

Defintely plastering. Anything to do with gas, and I probably won't do any serious structural work that would require more than simple propping.

I definitely do wall (and floor) tiling. Quite enjoyable jobs, really.

Christian.