small hole in ceiling

[pineapple]

Due to leaky roof/guttering I had a damp problem last year. Now that the roof etc has been done am redecorating. The bedroom ceiling at the window end curves down to meet the wall. When chipping off some loose ceiling paint at the join, some plaster came away leaving a hole about the diameter of a 10p piece. It is probably about 5mm deep but there may be a gap extending further back which I can't see.
Everything around seems sound though I know I could go on hacking away and end up with a major job! I thought about some deep fill polyfilla. But what about that expanding foam stuff which solidifies? Or I read somewhere about stuffing the hole first with newspaper soaked in polyfilla and water.

 

[misterhelpful]

When chipping off some loose ceiling paint at the join, some plaster came away leaving a hole about the diameter of a 10p piece. It is probably about 5mm deep but there may be a gap extending further back which I can't see.

A bit confused as to how a hole that size could go back further without you knowing and why expanding foam would be necessary for such a tiny hole.

Have you got the measurement right? If so, could you post a pic or explain in a little more detail please?

 

[dcdec]

I'll bet the chip came off at a nail/screw into plasterboard.

Not a fan of using newspaper as the ink can bleed into substrate, better to use a bit of dowel or timber or plasterboard or even plain paper if you have to but sounds like a fairly simple piece of filling, just fill twice if you dont have any specialist deep filler

 

[misterhelpful]

I'll bet the chip came off at a nail/screw into plasterboard.

That was my initial thought but got a bit confused by why the OP couldn't tell if the hole went deeper.

Any more info pineapple?

 

[TheDec]

You say that this damage was caused by a leaking roof of which is now rectified, if you have any form of brownish staining on your ceiling or walls caused by the ingress of moisture. You should apply either an oil based undercoat or alkali resisting primer to those areas before you start your decorating, otherwise they will bleed through your paintwork.

Dec

 

[pineapple]

Hi folks
A surface area of about 2 x 1/2 inch of paint came off revealing the plaster. But there is a hole at one end where the plaster itself has come away revealing what I assume is plasterboard which has crumbled at that point. I was investigating and ended up poking my finger through - with just thin air on the other side!
The area of the opening itself is about the size of a 10p coin.
I know in theory I should knock everything out beyond the last good point. Which could be a little bit or I could end up needing the whole stretch replastered. I am just trying to avoid a big job and wondered whether there was a 'quick fix'. Actually I've just seen a demo on youtube where he put some sort of self adhesive mesh over the hole and covered it with joint compound. Also seen another suggestion of plugging the hole with wire wool then covering with joint compound.

There is a water stain along the whole length where the ceiling meets the wall which I have primed for painting.

 

[dcdec]

You gotta laugh at some of the crap thats suggested. What sort of an idiot would use wire wool? It'll rust!! ....geesh just when you think you've heard it all!

(not aimed at you pineapple)


I don't think you need the tape, you'll turn an easy job into a bigger more complicated one. Just fill it as you would any other hole, twice if you think its too deep for a lightweight filler, you could even squeeze a bit of caulk in first.

 

[misterhelpful]

If the filler keeps disappearing into the hole it might be worth trying to wiggle a little piece of plasterboard or similar through the gap and sticking it in place with a bit of caulk. (You can thread a piece of string through it to help with the positioning if necessary then snip it off when stuck.) Let this dry and then simply fill as suggested by dcdec.

Wire wool indeed!!

 

[pineapple]

You gotta laugh at some of the crap thats suggested. What sort of an idiot would use wire wool? It'll rust!! ....geesh just when you think you've heard it all!

(not aimed at you pineapple)

Ah but if I got any more damp - I could have a decorative rust stain! (makes a change from common or garden water)

 

[TheDec]

Pineapple if this is a plasterboard ceiling it would take a great deal of filler to fill the void above it, dcdec has offered you the correct advice.

Dec

 

[xr4x4]

You gotta laugh at some of the crap thats suggested. What sort of an idiot would use wire wool? It'll rust!! ....geesh just when you think you've heard it all!

(not aimed at you pineapple)


I don't think you need the tape, you'll turn an easy job into a bigger more complicated one. Just fill it as you would any other hole, twice if you think its too deep for a lightweight filler, you could even squeeze a bit of caulk in first.

Where was wire wool mentioned in this thread?

 

[TheDec]

Above dcdecs reply.

Dec

 

[pineapple]

Where was wire wool mentioned in this thread?

In an earlier post of mine. I was quoting suggestions on the net.

Yes it does look as if I will have to bridge the gap with something. Maybe a bit of ply would do it? Or I could go begging at a builders merchant for a scrap of plasterboard!

 

[misterhelpful]

Sure it was wire wool and not rockwool/fibreglass insulation? I've seen this wedged into some holes as a backing before.

 

[TheDec]

That would'nt work either in the op's case, the pressure needed to apply the filler would simply push it through.

Dec