lumpy ceiling

[alfietinker]

OK, anyone got any ideas how to deal with a rubbish looking ceiling? It's currently covered in peeling lining paper, with water damage from the bathroom above.

It's got pipes running along the length, so we've boxed in the pipes and are now looking for cheap and (preferably) quick ideas for the rest. We've never done plastering before so are loath to even attempt it, and polystyrene tiles are too horrid to contemplate. (Getting someone in is a big no-no on our budget)

Any ideas?

Ta

xx

 

[Jambo]

Can you plate the existing ceiling with plasterboard ?it may be possible to find the ceiling joists and nail into them.You can then tape and fill the joints .If you do it properly you should be able to get it looking like new..
Make sure you take off the old peeling paper first. Good luck.

 

[Bry]

You don't say whether the water damage is cosmetic or has caused damage (eg softened it or caused it to sag).
If it is mainly cosmetic and there is not too much damage, all may not be lost.
I am an amateur with no plastering skills. But - I have used plaster board skim to great effect on both walls and ceilings. It is sold as caulking in premixed tubs and is cheap. Apply it in thin layers with a large, flexible plastic caulking tool (about £5). When dry it can be sanded down and a perfect finish achieved.
If small areas are structurally damaged, you could chop out back to joists and replace with plaster board, again using tape and caulking as suggested by the other reply.
Scrape off all loose material before you start. Water stains should be pre-painted with a silver paint or several coats of gloss.
You could finish with artex (if desperate) or a textured ceiling paper, although, with care and patience you should be able to achieve a perfect flat finish.
Best of luck.

 

[alfietinker]

Thanks everyone - the water damage is only cosmetic - just a few water stains from a leaky toilet.

The plasterboard option sounds the easiest as we have to lift floorboards anyway, but the caulking method sounds cheaper? The room is 13 by 7 foot.

When you say caulk, do you mean 'decorators caulk' that you use when fixing architrave etc - that you apply with a gun? Do you mean applying this over plasterboard joins or direct to the exisiting ceiling?

Sorry if that's a stupid question.

Also, what's silver paint?

Ta


xx

 

[Bry]

Sorry for the late reply.
The skim I use is sold by Wickes but should be available anywhere. No - it's not applied from a tube in a gun, its sold in large tubs the size of a 20l. tub of emulsion paint and applied with a plastic spreader. You'll find it near the plasterboard in any DIY store. Don't use coving adhesive as it sets too hard to sand smooth.
silver paint is just a paint thats silver (metallic) in colour. It has a greater covering power over water stains and is less likely to allow stains to leach through.
New plaster board is a tough job if you can get away without doing it.