Lath and plaster ceiling - what to expect

[RichardWaters]

Hi all,

Our house is listed and a few months ago a water leak brought down part of the living room ceiling. It's lath and plaster with horsehair in the plaster and the whole ceiling is being replaced with lath and plaster, fortunately at the insurance compay's expense!

I'm not completely convinced that the builders the insurance company has chosen have done much (any?) lath and plaster work before. They are telling us that the job will take about a month and, worryingly, that we shouldn't use any of the rooms above the ceiling while they're working on it in case this causes cracking. This rules out our only bathroom and 2 bedrooms.

Does this sound right - some of the things I've read make me think a month is optimistic, and is it right that we can't use the upstairs rooms for the entire period?

Thanks,

- Richard

 

[peaps]

Hi all,

Our house is listed and a few months ago a water leak brought down part of the living room ceiling. It's lath and plaster with horsehair in the plaster and the whole ceiling is being replaced with lath and plaster, fortunately at the insurance compay's expense!

I'm not completely convinced that the builders the insurance company has chosen have done much (any?) lath and plaster work before. They are telling us that the job will take about a month and, worryingly, that we shouldn't use any of the rooms above the ceiling while they're working on it in case this causes cracking. This rules out our only bathroom and 2 bedrooms.

Does this sound right - some of the things I've read make me think a month is optimistic, and is it right that we can't use the upstairs rooms for the entire period?

Thanks,

- Richard

It's plausible but more info would be needed.

 

[Possel]

It's probably only four days work, but there are several coats (probably 3 or 4) to apply and each needs to go off before doing the next which is why it will take a month. It is essential that the first coat in particular is allowed to cure in peace and quiet - any thumping around is likely to cause cracking in the nibs which curl around the laths. That might cause the contractors a problem while they are doing the next coats, or else it could cause you a problem when the ceiling falls down in a year or two!

I was advised to leave it undisturbed for 8-12 weeks - the longer the better - and even when you do use the upper rooms then be gentle for as long as you can.

Does the whole ceiling really need replacing? You could perhaps just do some of it.

See my blog http://houseintheenchantedforest.blogspot.com/2011/01/lime-mortar-and-cement-mixer.html

 

[peaps]

It's probably only four days work, but there are several coats (probably 3 or 4) to apply and each needs to go off before doing the next which is why it will take a month. It is essential that the first coat in particular is allowed to cure in peace and quiet - any thumping around is likely to cause cracking in the nibs which curl around the laths. That might cause the contractors a problem while they are doing the next coats, or else it could cause you a problem when the ceiling falls down in a year or two!

I was advised to leave it undisturbed for 8-12 weeks - the longer the better - and even when you do use the upper rooms then be gentle for as long as you can.

Does the whole ceiling really need replacing? You could perhaps just do some of it.

See my blog http://houseintheenchantedforest.blogspot.com/2011/01/lime-mortar-and-cement-mixer.html[/QUOTE]

Not the ideal time of year either, so, I would ask for the heating to be off as well!