new lights left a hole in the ceiling - what to do to close it?

[andekoch]

Every now and again when I replace a light fitting (generally in an older house where there are no ceiling roses) with a new one the hole cut in the ceiling (usually lathe and plaster) is bigger than the overall size of the new fitting that is being put up which leaves a gap (not good for sound or fire protection) not to mention leaving cables exposed.

I was wondering what you guys do to close up the excess hole and leave thew cables protected.

I seem to vary from calking up the excess and then fitting the light to making up a piece of ply (or plasterboard) with an appropriate hole and fixing that over the old large hole and then the new light to the ply (or plasterboard).

For now lets assume the obvious that there is no access from above.

cheers

 

[paulthe spark]

i usually recommend a good plasterer maself
usually the hole isn't that big

 

[boatnik1]

Cut a piece of p/board oval or rectangular shaped with the narrow measurement a tight fit in the hole. Drill a hole in the center for the cables and a piece of cord tied to a piece of stick above the p/board and bridging the cable hole. Now feed the piece of P/board up through the ceiling hole and as it will now bridge the hole in the ceiling, you can pull down on the string and fill the ceiling hole with plaster or polyfiller type stuff

 

[stretchyboy]

Intumescent mastic, from CPC it's easy to use and dries quickly and most of all it's flame resistant.

 

[Lou7]

Have a look at these, never used them myself.
Downlight Converter Kit - White