Nnrepairing lath and plaster ceiling holes books

The frustrating thing about repairing a ceiling, be it mending holes in plaster ceilings or lath and plaster ceilings, you always have to make the hole bigger before you can repair it. The ceiling is larve plaster, i was thinking of installing jcc led7s but i am concerned about maintaining the fire rating of the ceiling. While removing the paper i can see some cracks and slight softer areas where you can push. Gypsum lath is available 38inch and 12inch thick, 16 and 24 inches wide, and in lengths of 4 feet and 8 feet. Ceiling 3 x 3 all of these problem areas are from plumbing leaks. Once the second coat is dry, smooth it out with another light hand sand, dust the. A lot while ago it cracked and looked awful so someone artexed over it. If the laths are exposed but brokendamaged, the method of repair will depend upon the extent of the damage to the laths. Traditional lath and plaster ceilings article by an.

My handyman says he can fix it drywall the whole ceiling. Many older homes have interior walls made of lath and plaster. I recently put a hole about a foot square in the ceiling of my bedroom. Only thing i could think of andrew is to drill four small holes at the extremities of the register and poke something up in the holes so as to see where they are up in the ceiling and then drill through each lath and then frame and nog out for the register and then screw each lath to the nog from below and then cut your hole out for the register and then charge them accordingly. How to fix plaster ceilings old house journal magazine. I want strip away the lath and plaster on one wall that has clearly seen better days and replace with plasterboard simply screwed into.

Drywall contracting construction manuals books and. Repair a lathandplaster ceiling without calling in an expert plasterer 1. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading 12 ways to fix lath and plaster ceilings. Everywhere i chipped the backsplash ripped off the plaster. In future careful you dont over raise the acrow and punch a hole int he ceiling in the opposite direction.

If laths themselves are damaged, an entire section of the wall may need replacing. Plasterwork can be glued back into place by drilling holes in the plasterwork. The plaster lath was the precursor to larger sheets of drywall used in todays new homes and remodeling jobs. One of the ceilings definitely needs fixed as a section has come down already and other parts are saggingmoved when we pushed them. Nylon tape works best, however, i have used both paper and nylon. Apply nylon directly to the feathered plaster, lath and feathered drywall, overlapping all strips. For more about how plaster walls are built, see plaster wall construction. Expert advice and detailed instructions on repairing the most common plaster wall and ceiling problems, including cracks, holes, and sagging. Eml needs to be cut using tin snips and can be cut to the shape of the hole and can be easily fixed with galvanised staples.

Pruter contributing editor covers every aspect of stucco design, construction and repair. Go anywhere near it and you risk the whole lot coming down. Why should you keep it so in many older melbourne homes lath and plaster is still readily found in good condition. Lath and plaster walls how to repair holes in lath and. However, it appears as if the previous owners tried to fill the cracks in the ceilings and walls prior. The house is just short of 100 years old and some of the walls are lath and plaster others have been replaced by the previous owner with plasterboard. Then apply a slightly wider second coat of plaster and flatten it out with the blade of the paint scraper. Traditional lath and plaster ceilings and walls, or lathe and plaster depending on your spelling.

Learn how to patch plaster yourself and save time, money, and those beautiful. Lath tends to loose moisture and shrink, while plaster wont do this. Reroute any wiring, if required and repair any damage, holes in the timberwork etc. Put a piece of blue board same size as the hole and screw it to the studs.

I also made some substantial holes in the wall ripping out the lower cabinets. This method can also be used for inserting a new timber into a ceiling for screwing a light fitting to if required. Based on over 30 years of onsite experience this book shows you how to evaluate the condition of your ceilings and quickly run through the options you. Both of these are the foundation to the plaster and they must be sound. When this happens the plaster will break away from the lath and start to fall. Be sure the wood lath strips are securely nailed to the wood framing. I want to fit a loft hatch and down lighters but dont want to crack up the ceiling in the process of cutting into it. If youre an owner of an old home, especially one with plaster, youve probably had the pleasure of trying your best to patch a hole or two and trying to make it blend with the rest of the wall. It consists of narrow strips of wood which are nailed horizontally across the wall studs or ceiling joists and then coated in plaster. Heres how to repair your old plaster and save the historic character of your old home.

A look at how we patched damaged areas of lath and plaster on the walls and ceilings before plastering. I have been researching a particular collapse case and have received some solid information along with photographs sent to me by tom donatelli, who was the alleghany public works director in pa. Old houses settle and the ceilings go along for the ride. It is always best practice to use the same type of materials, or similar, when doing a repair to lath and plaster. Spray lath and feathered plaster with a light coat of water and apply a thin coat 18 in. Major wall damage on a plaster and lath wall, of the kind of damage that goes all the way through both the plaster and lath, usually requires that sections of the wall be removed and replaced. In any sagging areas where you suspect that the plaster has separated from the lath, stand underneath and gently push upwards with the palm of your hands. Lath and plaster is a building process used to finish mainly interior dividing walls and ceilings.

Lath and plaster wall showing replacement plasterboard inserted. Mix patching plaster according to the manufacturers instructions. If the lath backing is fine, you can mix joint compound with plaster of paris for the patch. Oldschool plaster on wood lathe can be difficult to repair. If the hole is less than 18 inch deep, one coat should be enough for good coverage. A sagging ceiling does not necessarily mean that the plasterwork has broken away from the lath though. Works great on old plaster where vibration is an issue.

Actually, i just bought 12 ways to fix lath and plaster ceilings and loved the humor in it. Repairing holes in lath and plaster walls can range from being very difficult to quite quick and simple. Working out if a lath and plaster wall or ceiling is worth fixing, will depend largely on the nature of the project and the amount of money, or work, you are prepared to put in. Have a look at this page for details of basic lath and plaster construction and techniques. Completely remove the lath and plaster, denail and clear away. If you are a homeowner that enjoys diy renovation, youve probably had the opportunity to patch a hole or two in your drywall. So you live in an older home with plaster walls and ceilings, and you need. How to repair holes in plaster walls with plaster of paris. Try to hit a strip of lath with every hole you drill. Drawing of worker applying plaster over lath, from the book of trades. You might have a unknown work of art on the walls or ceiling of your. Repairing historic flat plaster walls and ceilings national park. Ive worked on more lath and plaster than i care to. Plaster was applied to the lath and pressed between the spaces so that the plaster oozed out behind the wood.

Cracks are caused by moving or shifting, so one needs to make sure the existing plaster and corresponding substrate in this case the lath are solid. When making any repair to lath and plaster, the same type of materials, or similar, to the original construction should be used. How to fix a hole in a plaster wall bunnings warehouse. Loose, cracked or bulging plaster on a ceiling should be dealt with quickly its heavy and could cause injury if it. It will cut almost anything with a light touch and the right blade. Once the first coat of plaster is dry, give it a light hand sand and dust the surface clean with a rag. Lath are strips of wood that are 1 to 2inches wide and spaced apart. After attempting to use it, i found that it went from runny to hard too quickly for me to use effectively. There is the brown horse hair plaster covered with a thin layer of white. To patch a hole in the ceiling plaster, metal lath is fastened over the wood lath.

Plaster finishes and textures, and how to achieve them. If you have a hole like in the picture the first thing you need to do is attach support pieces. Let the patch dry and apply a coat of finishing plaster. So, if your ceiling is sagging or sloping, it may still be ok. Plaster base structure, waterresistant barrier and lath and flashing. If there is still lath in the damaged section, then the repair is even. Discussion in general diy started by sharpspark, 10 dec 2003. Repairing lath and plaster walls and ceilings including. Plastertype coatings applied over wood lath or directly onto masonry surfaces is at least 2000. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. If the damage isnt more than a few square feet, you can repair it by. It may seem a strange thing to say but when you have years of experience of surveying properties you get indications of problems and issues from almost anywhere.

Catostrophic plaster ceiling collapse inspectionnews. The instructions only mention installing in plasterboard and with the wood content of the larve ceiling and the fact the fire hood will be in direct contact with the wood i dont think i should be fitting them. Its relatively easy to repair small holes in plaster if the lath backing that grips the plaster is intact. Fellow inspectors, previously i had a post on the hidden dangers of certain plaster ceiling systems installed between 1920 and 1960. Complete doityourself guide for homeowners 1 by ian anderson isbn. The holes you bore to inject the adhesive must be directly beneath the wood lathnot the spaces between the lathso. I have 4 spots in an old house that has lath and plaster walls and ceilings and i need to know how to best repair them. The cost and time of removing this plaster can be costly. When repairing lath and plaster walls, it is highly advisable to get into the habit of using similar materials.

The technique derives from an earlier, more primitive, process called wattle and daub in canada and the united states the laths were generally sawn, but in the. The stuff in my house was a lime mortar base set with a lime and sand i think. Hole in plaster ceiling plastrr385 ok if its rock lathe score the plaster to the studs on either side. It makes me think this new home old house i took on is actually repairable. How to repair large holes in lath and plaster walls and. When the plaster hardened, it locked around the wood holding the plaster to your walls.

Top eleven ways to repair your lath and plaster ceilings and get years more life out. Complete doityourself guide for homeowners by anderson, ian isbn. Ultimately the decision to repair or replace the lath and plaster, is up to you. Step by step guide to making dustsorry, i mean fixing up your lath and plaster ceiling. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Step by step how to remove repair lath and plaster ceiling. The gaps around the edges shown in red can be filled with polyfiller, one coat plaster or flexible filler depending on their size polyfiller and one coat plaster. Downlights in lath and plaster electrician talk forum. How to repair a ceiling ideas advice diy at b q hole in lath and plaster ceiling repair you plastering repairing lath plaster ceiling hawthorn repairing lath and plaster ceiling mycoffeepot org lath plaster ceilings repair plasterwork.

I have rock lath walls with plaster skimmed across them 18 thick. This increases the bond between the plaster and the board. Leave as is or decorate with varnish, wood stain, or paint. In extreme cases of detached lathe, more holes are drilled into the affected. Any tips on how to cut into lath and plaster ceiling. Oh and i have just bought our first house we should be getting the keys on friday it is an old house which has lath and plaster ceilings. The plaster that filtered between the laths plays an important role in the plaster and laths ability to absorb sound. The uppers came out with a few nail holes aka gouges. And, if youre wendy and me, youve had the joy of spending years patching. Once the keys, which are the areas of plaster that smoosh through the gaps in the lathe, break off there is nothing holding the.

Urban legend has it that you only need to read six books on a subject to be. Initially idea was to just remove the woodchip paper and skim. One common one in older lath and plaster ceilings is to be able to distinguish the different. Plaster applied to wood lath is held in place by the keys that form when it squishes through the lath. Original lath and plaster ceilings with artex, how do i. After the floating layer has hardened, dampen the surface and apply the setting layer of plaster and bring the level up to the surrounding plaster. When you use perforated lath, the plaster is forced through the holes. I have provided below, examples of typical damage to lath and plaster, that i consider. To fix cracks in plaster, use plaster of paris or durabond, not spackling compound. Your ceiling was made of wooden strips covered with lime plaster reinforced with horsehair, its called lath and plaster. I ripped out my kitchen cabinets and chipped off the backspash. However, its often just the plaster thats damaged, with the lath still in place. If you have a patch of ceiling with crumbling plaster, or you have a crack in it, heres what you can do to fix it. Using a 316inch masonry bit, drill a hole in the plaster about 2 inches from the crack.