Alleyway ceiling

[bongos]

My neighbour has asked me to help her repair the ceiling of the outdoor alleyway that runs from the front to the back of her terrace.

Her bathroom is directly above the alleyway and at the moment it is extremely drafty as a result of the old plasterboard becoming damaged in places and sections falling off. Although it is fairly well protected from the elements it is still outside and susceptible to damp and also heavy rain blowing through the alleyway on windy days.

Am I best to replace the plasterboard already there or maybe look at putting up something else and treating it (such as plywood)?

Any advice appreciated

 

[Richard C]

Are you saying the external alleyway is lined with plasterboard? Is the alley an original feature? I’d be very surprised if it’s plasterboard! Are you sure it's not an asbestos based cement board, how old is the property?

What's behind the boarding (whatever it is) & how is it fixed? timber framework? What’s between the alley & your neighbour’s bathroom above?

My in-laws have a similar property but their alley way is cast in situ concrete with a render finish & it's been there since 1954!

 

[noseall]

it would be a good idea to insulate whilst the ceiling is down.

 

[bongos]

Thanks for the advice.

The houses were built c.1870 and the alley has been through to the rear of the property since then. I assumed it was plasterboard but I suppose it could just as easily be cement board. Its difficult to tell from underneath as its fairly dark there.

Asbestos based sounds griefy

There are joists running across the space and I assume (again ) that it is wooden floorboards running straight on top of these. I will try and get a decent picture and post it to give a better idea of the current layout/setup.

 

[Richard C]

Thanks for the advice.
The houses were built c.1870 and the alley has been through to the rear of the property since then.

Blimey, pretty original then.

I assumed it was plasterboard but I suppose it could just as easily be cement board. Its difficult to tell from underneath as its fairly dark there. Asbestos based sounds griefy

Could be a problem if it is. You may need to get someone in to check before you start ripping it all down; we had some mid 60’s stuff here which wasn’t too bad but if it’s pre war then the asbestos content could be much higher; but I’m no expert, just surmising.

There are joists running across the space and I assume (again ) that it is wooden floorboards running straight on top of these. I will try and get a decent picture and post it to give a better idea of the current layout/setup.

Some pictures would be good; it sounds like you may have volunteered for a fair bit of work there my friend & it may even be the case that any repairs you carry out will need to meet current insulation standards & that could mean a lot of work & a fair bit of expense!

 

[bongos]

Hopefully these may help.

Looks like maybe a mix of felt at one end and cementboard at the other.

There is exposed lath under the board - this is where the breeze in the bathroom is coming from

A closeup of the boarding.

My neighbour says that she is just looking to sort out the
breezy aspect and is not to bothered about extra insulation.
She says its not a cold room, just windy!

 

[Richard C]

I feel you’re getting into several potentially tricky areas with this one. Unfortunately, it’s not really a question of weather or not your neighbour “is just looking to sort out the breezy aspect and is not to bothered about extra insulation”. Unless your neighbour chooses to totally ignore Building Regulations, with all the implications that may involve not least invalidating any buildings insurance, whatever is done must comply with current regulations. IMO this will not only involve thermal insulation, because of that alley way underneath whatever is done must comply with fire regulations as well. Basically this would mean using specialist fire retardant cement boards on the underside, suitable fixed & sealed & thermal insulation between that & the floorboards above; could turn into a fair bit of work I would think!

I’ve not done anything like this before so it’s not something I feel comfortable advising you on; maybe one of the other forum members with more specific experience can step in & advise you. Try posting in roofing or building where you may get more specialist advice.
If not I strongly suggest you either research it thoroughly yourself or call in some specialist advice on how to proceed.

 

[bongos]

Thanks for your advice. I shall give it some more thought.

 

[noseall]

it would carry the same risk and thermal properties as a garage below a bedroom.

either fill with 270mm of fibreglass quilt or use 100mm celotex with a 25mm underdraw layer.

fireline board and skim.