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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Building Questions >> Gap in ceiling https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1428331655 Message started by Micky lad on Apr 6^th, 2015, 3:47pm

Title: Gap in ceiling
Post by Micky lad on Apr 6^th, 2015, 3:47pm

[album]Micky_lad&1428332107[/album]Hello,
I am decorating an extension in a 1960s semi detached house. The extension is like a conservatory but with 1 brick side and a fully tiled sloping roof.
On the ceiling, where the ceiling meets the original inner wall is a piece of 90mm wide PVC trunking with a removable top panel.
As far as I can tell there is no reason for it - no wires or pipes inside. There is just an empty cavity behind it, that goes into the roof space of the extension.
Is this panel needed for access, ventilation or inspection purposes, or could I remove the trunking and fill the gap with plaster coving?

Title: Re: Gap in ceiling
Post by woodsmith on Apr 7^th, 2015, 8:49am

If you pull the cover off and there is nothing inside then I can't see why you can't put coving over the gap. It's an odd thing to have done though and would normally have wiring or pipes in it.

Title: Re: Gap in ceiling
Post by Micky lad on Apr 7^th, 2015, 6:13pm

I'm now looking into ways of making or buying a removable section of coving - just in case.
Anybody know of anything on the market?

I think maybe the gap has been left to allow access to the ceiling space for feeding wires etc in the case of re-wiring or repairs???

Title: Re: Gap in ceiling
Post by woodsmith on Apr 7^th, 2015, 10:33pm

It's not normal practice to put a channel in the wall, perhaps they meant to use it for something but never got round to it? There are lightweight sections of coving which you could glue in place with a mastic gun, that way you could relatively easily remove them if you wanted in the future.

Title: Re: Gap in ceiling
Post by CWatters on Apr 8^th, 2015, 9:50am

If it was 1960s perhaps they originally had some sort of bead curtain across the door opening mounted on a board at ceiling height?