Lathe plaster ceilings

cliffed · Sep 25, 2014

Fitting of recess led lights into lathe/plaster ceiling,becoming a right pain.Holes were drilled during 1st fix with hole cutter to suit size.When inserting fitting,springs take out load of plaster,which actually just falls away,so looks crap.Decorators not too pleased,lighting consultant also moaning,I just think they are the wrong fittings to fit in this situation,won't even comment on drivers & connections.Any one having the same probs,cheers.

cliffed · Sep 25, 2014

Hopefully light consultant will take the wrap,the larger size lights ain't too bad,it's the smaller,just over 25mm that's the problem
cheers

Sparky_Steve · Sep 25, 2014

[ElectriciansForums.net] Lathe plaster ceilings

just get out the crowbar

SPARTYKUS · Sep 25, 2014

PEG said:
Hi bud,lath and plaster ceilings were NEVER intended to be pierced,and apart from the variation of thickness,it leaves unsupported laths,loose and crumbly! Previous comment regarding fire risk is also pertinent,there are NO better fire-lighters than a handful of those sticks. The edging of all lath and plaster ceilings is a weakness,due to the nature of how the structure supports itself. Options are,overboarding,inserting section of Gypsum board between joists,or,worst of all,rip out! I have seen ingenious use of board and drywall adhesive,but any re-positioning of lamp may result in cracking. ...and don't forget to wash your hair twice :stooge_curly:

Ha! Youre right there,took a whole wall down once and thought the same, these 120 year dry as a bone sticks look like they'd be good kindling.... Wow nothing like it before or since.

cliffed · Sep 25, 2014

That's a real gud pic,scary

davesparks · Sep 25, 2014

The trick with these listed ceilings is to make good friends with the plasterers and know exactly when the historical wombles is due to visit.
That way a carefully planned removal of sections of ceiling and patching up before anyone sees it will be no problem.

(Not that I've ever got away with murder in listed buildings before

)

Silly Sausage · Sep 25, 2014

Sparky_Steve said:
just get out the crowbar

Who nicked the original cast iron fireplace then?

Sparky_Steve · Sep 25, 2014

its my pad still a work in progress i was debating starting a thread as completely gutted and pretty much started again. i still have the fireplaces in my scrap pile

Silly Sausage · Sep 25, 2014

Sparky_Steve said:
its my pad still a work in progress i was debating starting a thread as completely gutted and pretty much started again. i still have the fireplaces in my scrap pile

If they're proper old cast iron fire surrounds, get them stripped and blacked up.
There's GOOD money going there!!!

SPARTYKUS · Sep 25, 2014

This is the stuff

Liberon Iron Paste 250ml - Wood Finishes: Osmo, Liberon and more inc Varnishes and Wood Stains! - agwoodcare.co.uk

Silly Sausage · Sep 25, 2014

SPARTYKUS said:
This is the stuff

Liberon Iron Paste 250ml - Wood Finishes: Osmo, Liberon and more inc Varnishes and Wood Stains! - agwoodcare.co.uk

I used to use Zebrite (?), but recently I've had good results using some rust killer fluid from Toolstation/Screwfix and black boot polish, the proper stuff that comes in the little round tin.

SPARTYKUS · Sep 25, 2014

Yeah I doubt theres much difference between boot polish and that iron paste!

got a couple to do actually. As in old fireplaces that have been glossed (arrrhhhhhh) over and need taking back and blacking up. REALLY looking forward to it. Its one of those jobs on the 50+ list that is going to be done slowly. And properly. Like all the other jobs I do of course....

Sparky_Steve · Sep 25, 2014

will give it a go thanks

SPARTYKUS · Sep 25, 2014

I'll do it for you. And pay you :willy_nilly:

amlu · Sep 25, 2014

with that big hole it would be easier to knock the rest down and replace with plasterboard.

uksparks · Sep 25, 2014

Archy Styrigg said:
The day before, drill a small hole and pump in gallons of diluted PVA, then plug it.
The plaster soaks it up and stabilises it quite nicely!

Thanks for the tip.