Repair to a L&P ceiling

[reedluke]

Hi, Just after some advice! I've never worked on a L&P ceiling, and have always avoided doing any plastering but I need to tackle this one myself.

From some previous water damage, the ceiling has been damaged in the corner of the room. I have removed the old rotten plaster from the slats and now need to repair.
Whats the best way to do this? would it be best to try and cut a piece of plasterboard to fit and blend this in before painting? or repair using plaster, if repair is best - how do I do it and what would I use?

Any advice would be very gratefully recieved!
Thanks

Untitled

• reedluke
• 22 Feb 2010
• 1

 

[1john]

do you want a quick fix? if not i would board that ceiling as the nails will be rusting, it doesn't look very sound anyway and im not sure what the expanding and contracting of the laths will do after a leak onto them.

what i am getting at is that you may patch it up now but have to do more work to it in the near future, although im certain someone with alot more experience will soon give you some definate answers.

 

[JohnD]

it is possible to repair a L&P ceiling.

When a patch is mising, bend some expanded metal lathing into a tray that fits between the joists above and fasten it to them from above. Screws are less likely to shake the old plaster loose than nails.

You can then patch it from below.

If the ceiling is sagging (usually due to the nibs breaking off) then pick out all the broken bits and hooover the ceiling from above. Check there are no bits of nib between the plaster and laths or joists. Put a large piece of board under the sagging part and push it upwards until it is tightly holding the plaster back up to the joists. If the laths are not sound, add EPM as described. Then (and this is the clever part) mix up a bucket of runny finish plaster, and pour it over the lathing from above. It will bond to the old plaster (which you have cleaned and hoovered) and to the old laths and to the new EPM. Give it a day or so to harden and dry, then remove the props and cautiously remove the supporting board from the room below.

I have done this, and it really does work. The runny plaster also mends any cracks or small gaps as it trickles through (use a non-adherent board, I used laminated chipboard)

It is a lot of trouble, but hacking down an old ceiling is even worse, and very dirty.

This method is mostly used in fine old stately homes, especially if they have ornate decorated or corniced or moulded ceilings. I got it out of a specialist plasterer's book.

like I said, I have done it and it really does work.