cracked ceiling

[bunser]

Hi,
I have a quite badly cracked ceiling, could I plaster board over the whole ceiling by screwing through into the joists and then skim it over?
or should I pull down the old and start again. Its a lath and plastered type
Thanks

 

[clout stench]

overboard and skim

 

[roughcaster]

I would agree with Clouty,,,, although not all lath and plaster ceilings/walls that are badly cracked are unsafe. Quite often they look a lot worse than what they really are, and with a bit of work can be made to look good. It's when the plaster has lost contact with the wooden lath and begins to sag and has a lot of visible movement, that's when it should go, or at least be patched. You should never overboard, especially a ceiling, that has visible movement/ loose areas of old plaster, remove all the old stuff first, and make sure no small bits of old plaster remain, otherwise you will not get the new sheets to screw up tightly to the joists.If you do overboard without removing,and the old ceiling above, or part of it, decides to collapse, it'll take the new sheets of plasterboard with it...... Two for the price of one.

Roughcaster.

 

[bunser]

There is movement were the cracks are the ceiling is papered over as well, which may be holding it up.
Is there still chance of collapse even if the new over boards are screwed into the joists?

Thanks

 

[roughcaster]

Don't be put off by what I said earlier Bunser. To overboard a lath and plaster ceiling poses no problems at all as long as it's not visibly "falling to bits", that's what I meant. If you put up new plasterboard with "plenty" of screws into the joists, that's all you need. Just make sure the screws are "long enough". Mark the line of the joists on the wall,either side of the room first and you'll know exactly where the centre of the joists are and then, screw away.

Roughcaster.

 

[bunser]

Thanks for your help