Newbie

[Sks87]

Hi not in the trade and know basic things only.
Recently got a new house. There is a large gap under the radiator.

Not sure it needs a plasterer and probably wouldn’t find one who would want to just to do this.
The wall is internal

Was thinking how best to do this? Fill with some expanding foam and use some Ronseal smooth finish for deep holes? But weary it’s near a radiator
Please advise best solution
Thanks

 

[JohnD]

I don't know what you mean by a gap. Please post some photos.

 

[Sks87]

I thought I did tbh. I’ll try again

 

[JohnD]

Oh dear, that's very shabby.

Is the plaster spread onto brick, or is it plasterboard on dot and dab? Or L&P?

How old is the house?

 

[Sks87]

I can’t see any brick. It’s from the 1930s.
Not sure what the plasterboard is on, I can see some insulation. I’ll try and get a better pic later

 

[Sks87]

Any advice?
Thanks

 

[Odds]

An off-cut of plasterboard seems to be the way to go - how far up behind the radiator does the gap go?

 

[JohnD]

It's plaster on brick I think

It will be easier if you take the radiator off.

If you're using plasterboard, cut a neat rectangle bigger than the hole

Hold the patch on the wall and draw a pencil line round it

Cut the plaster away at the line.

 

[opps]

As above, beg/borrow/steal an off cut of plasterboard.

The wire wool suggests that someone thought it might be an entry point for mice.

It looks like you have a cable running at a jaunty angle in the metal trunking.

 

[Sks87]

It’s a very small radiator btw.
I think it’s wood inside. We put the wire wool in as a precaution as we were proofing the house as we had mice elsewhere and discovered this but not had any come from there fingers crossed.
There is a plug next to it

Is it hard to buy a piece of plasterboard?

 

[JohnD]

Is it hard to buy a piece of plasterboard?

No, but they are very big so difficult to carry. Any left over has to go to the tip and there may be a charge as it contains sulphur and is not supposed to go in general waste.

If you can get an offcut or scrap piece from a building site that will be ideal.

You cut it to size by score and snap, we can explain that.

 

[Sks87]

Thanks for the replies.
I do have a contact for a plaster I’ve used before. Will see if I can get some scrap.

In terms if the job - once I’ve marked a piece and then cut the plaster it will then fit the hole exactly? What do I fix it to as there no backing?
Or is there any link to a video showing as I’m a bit confused
Thanks

 

[JohnD]

You will try to cut it to be a close fit, and fill the join afterwards. You could fix it using the dot and dab technique, or blobs of expanding foam, press it into place until set to prevent it expanding out or slipping.

You could use battens screwed into place but that would be more work I think.

 

[Sks87]

What glue is best to fix it in. Any alternatives to plasterboard?
What tool to cut the existing wall for a good fit?
Thanks

 

[JohnD]

I'd use a multicutter, but you can get a plasterboard saw. Shaped rather like a keyhole saw.

Expanding foam will stick it.