Update: was Re: lath and plaster ceiling

message from mate on 12 May 2004

"mate" wrote
<snip>

Just thought i'd put an update on for anyone googling for this kind
of job in the future (don't ya just hate it when you read through an
older thread and don't know the outcome? or is that just me?)

Ok, so today was the day and now the job's done, i've just got one
thing to say.... that was fun!

Here's a summary of how/what we did:

1. Emptied bathroom of all movable objects (except partner - he got
the dustier side ;-)
2. Removed floorboards from room above (all numbered too for easy
replacement - screwed not nailed)
3. Removed insulation (didn't need to vacuum above laths as had done
that not long ago when laying insulation)
4. Released and taped lighting wires out of harms way
5. No cutting of laths required at adjoining rooms as bathroom has
only supporting walls which continue to 2nd floor - so got on with
kicking out laths from above.
6. The laths that couldn't be accessed from above were taken out
from below by starting at the accessible edge and pulling down with
a claw hammer (crowbar would've been good but couldn't find it) and
working our way to the wall.
7. When all the ceiling was down we got on with the clear up
operation - and even this wasn't as bad as i'd expected.
Bagged/crated most of the big rubble outside (estimate approx 12
rubble sacks for 8 sq m ). Swept up dust as best we could then
bagged as much as poss, then vacuumed with workshop vac and swept
again - and vacuumed again.
The dust was very dirty black dust, but settled quite quick and was
easier to pick up than 'pink' plaster dust (settled much quicker
too).

All in all it took 2 of us around 6 hrs today (including clean up
time), but we still have more to do tomorrow - still got to pull
nails out from joists and tidy up the edges but that shouldn't take
too long.

So, anybody reading this in anticipation of undertaking a similar
job take it from me - it probably won't be as bad as you expect.
This was a messy but fun (if you like destruction) job, and i won't
hesitate now when it comes to replace all the other ceilings!

Archived message: Update: was Re: lath and plaster ceiling (UK D-I-Y Home Repairs)