How do I remove massively tough coving...?

[potato80]

Hi all

I'm removing the old coving (pictured), and replacing with a more pleasing design. Initially, I thought the coving was plaster, but now I'm not so sure.

I'm assuming the best way to remove it is just drilling / hammering / crowbar-ing it off the wall?

I'm aware the ceiling has cracks, and doing this will likely reveal how bad they are!

Thanks

 

[Mottie]

Get it off with a bolster. Repair and skim the ceiling and fit new coving.

 

[EddieM]

Yeah just brute force really, always a mess of a job.

 

[potato80]

Joy oh joy!

 

[Mottie]

A multi tool might make things easier if you have access to one.

 

[Wayners]

Well sometimes smash through. Grip the coving and pull and the entire length comes down because of products like artex used to stick. Easy and quick job.

Plan B

Smash the middle all the way long and using a cheap scraper and hammer remove the ceiling and wall bit. Really helps to knock the middle out..

Wide wood chisel is also helpful.


Plan C

Multi tool. That's more for removing small sections

 

[foxhole]

Depends what was used to apply and how well it was done .Are you sure it’s plaster?

 

[potato80]

Depends what was used to apply and how well it was done .Are you sure it’s plaster?

Not sure. It's not anything like the plaster coving I've removed in the past; it's much much tougher. Basically like concrete and with no 'gap' behind the coving itself (i.e. it's like one solid piece of concrete completely adhered against the wall and ceiling).

I've bolstered some off (see picture)

 

[johnny2007]

Strong scraper from the wall side, lever and giggle it along the whole length, then fold it up so it doesn't take the ceiling down.
As said, removing a middle section first makes the job easier.

 

[potato80]

Strong scraper from the wall side, lever and giggle it along the whole length, then fold it up so it doesn't take the ceiling down.
As said, removing a middle section first makes the job easier.

Thanks, but that method ain't cutting it unfortunately!

 

[foxhole]

Its been applies with coving adhesive with no void so will take some shifting, bolster or old wood chisel work across ceiling towards the wall to minimise damage.

 

[potato80]

Cheers, that's what I've been doing. My arms ache.

 

[johnny2007]

Try wetting it with a damp hot cloth as you remove it

 

[Wayners]

That's running coving. It's run in. Means templates were made and run along to mould the plaster

 

[potato80]

That's running coving. It's run in. Means templates were made and run along to mould the plaster

Thanks, it's a pain! Am now reading about running coving