Bodge repair....

[Lusi83]

This is where I work, its an old church hall (built in 1890s), a shared building and we rent.
Plaster is crumbling off in lots of areas (high up) and apparently there is some issue with the roof which is due to be fixed in about 3 months, will costs £££££ and they say they can then fix the plaster. But honestly I think most of it is just knackered anyway. I suspect they'll find it more or less all needs replacing.
My problem is we have just moved a 'built in' cupboard of ours and found a hole in the plaster behind it - about 15ch by 15cm, guess about 4 cm deep (at deepest part). I know there are lathes but I can't see any in the hole.
This isn't an area which is thought to be damp and is at a lower level - and it looks really bad.
We can't put cupboard back - we asked for permission to move it.
I'm a bit worried that 'we' did it when the cupboards were fitted by a joiner (10+ years ago), there wasn't any debris so it isn't recent, hasn't just happened on its own. Wouldn't have taken much to knock a chunk out.
To save any disagreements etc I could do with making it look better/not as obvious for now.
Plaster is really really crumbly -if I remove all the loose plaster think I would be doing the whole building .... so any suggestions of how I could do a cheap bodge repair?
If it falls out a few months down the line I could point out how knackered the surrounding plaster is ...

 

[Wayners]

Limelite plaster maybe.
Dampen down and make good.
Damp sponge over and a blade.

Old buildings crumbling away. One job creates another 2

 

[Lusi83]

Thanks - looks like good stuff but maybe not as bodgy as i was looking for...
It seems like I can only get 25kg bags ..way more than I'll need and I cant find it anywhere locally...would have to get delivered so looking like £50 - and a delay and then it seems like it would take a few days as it would need a few coats to fill depth and have to leave 24hrs between each one ....and then need to paint So likely I'll be rumbled by caretaker!
Guess we could fess up - if I bought some i think i would anyway as I'd give them the excess ..although might not last till they get round to doing the plastering...
I guess we could a put a notice board or something over it for now ...
Lots of older houses locally,, few being renovated so might see if I cadge a small amount off a plasterer (for cash or beer) and do a better job than I was planning ...although once I mess with it I might end up needing more than 25kg! it really is that knackered....
You're right about old buildings
The whole building has lots of issues.
Church don't want to spend money on it, have only doing 'essential' maintenance for the last 5 years, why roof is so dodgy. Apparently they will be getting rid of lots of buildings and whether this one of them or not changes every 6 months...

 

[SFK]

I would use 'toupret' or similar filler like this (you add water and then it sets a bit like plaster of paris).
Do not add too much water to the filler when mixing it up.
Spray/dampen the area before you put the filler in.

Toupret Interior Filler

A one coat fill that can be filled to any depth. No need to spot prime and easy to sand, with no flashing or grinning, shrinkage or slumping. Suitable for internal use on either painted or unpainted surfaces and sets in 30-40 minutes and can be painted over in 12-24 hours.•Will not shrink or...

www.toolstation.com

or

Amazon.co.uk

or

https://www.screwfix.com/p/toupret-interior-filler-2kg/390PP

SFK

 

[Wayners]

Limelite is stocked at Travis.

Toupret is ok on damp walls I read although I don't know for sure, and I think you can buy lime plaster filler from..... best of lime.
That may be better for you?

 

[Lusi83]

I've used Toupret wood filler (to repair the rotten bottom of an external cellar door in same hall to stop a rat getting back in -eek) and found that was good stuff - easy to use etc, has survived just over a year now (painted) and it does get really wet.
Although dries a bit too quickly for me - made a big batch and had to throw most of it and then make small amounts (it was a fiddly job). I'll look into wall stuff - probably worth a try.
I saw Travis do single 25kig bags of Limelite and we do have one localish - yipee - but that store doesn't carry it in stock, the nearest one that did was 70 miles away! Looking at Best of Lime - it would be £45 (£15 delivery) but cheaper than travis.... but they also have something called patchcote (2kg) that with delivery is nearly £30....
I was planning on going into town tomorrow - and can swing by toolstation/screwfix pick up some touprets and see how I get on and if that fails I'll look at getting something from Best of Lime - if big chuncks come off I'll get the (better value!) Limelite but if I still only need a smallish amount I'll get the patchcote and give that a try.
Thanks again for your help....