After paying out to have the upstairs ceilings replastered (skim over the horrid artex) we've since discovered that something up there is on the move:
- There's a crack formed in line with one of the joists across the span of the master bedroom.
- Several nail-heads have popped their plaster off, leaving a line of craters.
I think the problem has been compounded by the orientation of the original plasterboard. I was intending to partially board out and use the loft for storage, but this development has kinda thrown things into doubt.
I was told by a QS friend that the roof/ceiling construction is of a suspended type: There's 2 generous beams running parallel to the apex that sit above smaller ceiling joists (probably 3 - 4inch deep) *
I suspect there's no co-incidence to the fact that where this 'problem' joist is, is also where the one of the main beams is jointed - there's an overlap of about 1m between the beam and its successor, but I think the joint between them isn't too rigid.
So, questions:
How can I stop the ceiling moving, and also re-inforce the loft floor to take loft boards carrying boxes of junk?
This needs to be minimal hassle/intrusion into the living space, i.e. not tearing ceilings down. And preferably not vastly expensive using expensive materials or techniques that require a tradesperson.
I was considering (in sequence):
1 strengthen the iffy joint on the main beam, drill & bolt? Glue?
2 installing thicker joists parallel to the existing ones, but how to secure to the beams? place on top, or alongside?
3 board over.
*Can upload photos tomorrow if required..
- There's a crack formed in line with one of the joists across the span of the master bedroom.
- Several nail-heads have popped their plaster off, leaving a line of craters.
I think the problem has been compounded by the orientation of the original plasterboard. I was intending to partially board out and use the loft for storage, but this development has kinda thrown things into doubt.
I was told by a QS friend that the roof/ceiling construction is of a suspended type: There's 2 generous beams running parallel to the apex that sit above smaller ceiling joists (probably 3 - 4inch deep) *
I suspect there's no co-incidence to the fact that where this 'problem' joist is, is also where the one of the main beams is jointed - there's an overlap of about 1m between the beam and its successor, but I think the joint between them isn't too rigid.
So, questions:
How can I stop the ceiling moving, and also re-inforce the loft floor to take loft boards carrying boxes of junk?
This needs to be minimal hassle/intrusion into the living space, i.e. not tearing ceilings down. And preferably not vastly expensive using expensive materials or techniques that require a tradesperson.
I was considering (in sequence):
1 strengthen the iffy joint on the main beam, drill & bolt? Glue?
2 installing thicker joists parallel to the existing ones, but how to secure to the beams? place on top, or alongside?
3 board over.
*Can upload photos tomorrow if required..
