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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Building Questions >> Plaster Ceiling https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1138737136 Message started by Andy_k on Jan 31^st, 2006, 7:52pm

Title: Plaster Ceiling
Post by Andy_k on Jan 31^st, 2006, 7:52pm

I have asked to fix a crack in a ceiling. At the moment the ceiling is artex. It has a crack running all the way across it(about 3m) One end is against the coving and the other end stops at an external corner on coving. The crack appears to have opened the external corner slightly too.. I'm not sure if its where there is no tape on join or if it is something abit more than that.. its on a bathroom ceiling on a bungalow(if that makes any difference!) The property is about 30 years old.. Whats best way to tackle it??

Title: Re: Plaster Ceiling
Post by MarkS on Feb 2^nd, 2006, 2:52pm

being paranoid I would worry that the aertex is only there to cover the older cracks and that the wall might have moved.

cheap fix - another coat of aertex ?

Would you take construction advice from an IT consultant ?

Title: Re: Plaster Ceiling
Post by Andy_k on Feb 3^rd, 2006, 8:33am

The artex has been on the ceiling since day 1.. the wall should'nt have moved because it has been put in at a later stage and is studwork..

Not really after a cheap fix cheers!!

Would you take construction advice from an IT consultant ? not really!

Title: Re: Plaster Ceiling
Post by woodsmith on Feb 3^rd, 2006, 9:06am

Would you take plastering advice from a chippy ;D

I did a similar job on a bathroom refurb last year,

knock the high spots off the Artex, you could do with having it tested to see if it contains asbestos, some did and I'm not sure when they stopped putting it in.

Open up the crack, remove any lose material.

PVA ceiling, about 3:1 with water

Scrim up the crack then skim.

If you are not practiced at plastering, ceilings are not a good way to start. I'd get a plasterer in, wouldn't cost a lot and you would get a perfect job.

Title: Re: Plaster Ceiling
Post by JerryD on Feb 3^rd, 2006, 10:11am

You say it's the bathroom ceiling of a bungalow, does this mean there's just the loft space above?

When you walk in this area in the loft can you feel the joists moving/deflecting under your weight? You really need to find the cause of the cracking first, fix that, then do as woodsmith says.

Are the water tanks directly above this ceiling?

Title: Re: Plaster Ceiling
Post by Robbo on Feb 5^th, 2006, 11:30am

Overboard the ceiling and reskim it.
If its not a cheap fix then get a plasterer in to do the job. If its only a light artex then you may be as well to give it a coat of bonding first then a skim coat. As for the crack use drywall screws to secure the boards at either side of the crack along its length, as the crack will be running along the joist. Then scrim tape over and bond?skim.
Thats the advise of a plasterer anyhows!! ;)

Title: Re: Plaster Ceiling
Post by Andy_k on Feb 5^th, 2006, 7:39pm

Cheers Robbo