Lath & Plaster Replacement Advice

[Deleted User]

Hi to everyone at the MSE forums!

We're currently renovating our 1930's semi-detached property and as part of the renovations we would like to replace the existing 'lath and plaster' walls with modern plasterboard and plaster.

This would be a large job to include lobby, hallway and landing, dining room and four bedrooms (the kitchen, living room and bathroom were already replaced).

My partner and I personally feel that this is a job that is outside our DIY comfort zone and therefore would prefer to get a professional to do the job.

Which leaves a couple of questions to be answered...

1). How much roughly should I expect this job to cost?
2). What is an acceptable length of time for the job to be completed?
3). Should I replace the ceilings at the same time?
4). Would you recommend getting a builders contract, and if so, any recommendations on how to obtain this?
5). Has anyone had experience of this renovation - as a customer or professional?

Thanks in advance

toffeegirl

Words cannot describe how dusty it would be. If you do not need to remove it, don't.

If you do - I'd move out and put everything into storage else you will be washing, cleaning and dusting stuff for the rest of the year

[Deleted User]

andrew-b wrote: »

Why? It's going to be one horrendous mess and it's not far off rebuilding the whole house!! Just tart up what is there already by having a plaster skim where required..or if that's not possible overboard it.

True. We did discuss whether it would be best to just get the walls plaster skimmed but were unsure as to whether the lath and plaster would hold the weight. Apart from being a bit uneven and a few cracks it looks pretty sound, although that's a personal observation and not a professional - any ideas on how to check?

**
I completely forgot to mention. The house was rewired last year and various channels for wall lighting, sockets etc... were chisled into the walls and, *touch wood* there haven't been any after effects from this. I would take this as a relatively good sign, although I think I'm now reluctant to remove the lining paper that was installed in some of the bedrooms (polycell smooth over for that me thinks!).

vaio

Tap & gently push, if it sounds hollow or moves then it needs more than a quick skim over.

As far as being outside your DIY comfort zone removing the old stuff and replacing with plasterboard is at the very bottom end of the DIY skill range, if you can use a hammer, electric screwdriver & stanley knife then you can do it.

As others have said, the mess & dust is biblical so good brushing up and hoovering skills are important too

esmy

Another one saying don't! We have taken down lath and plaster ceilings in 2 victorian houses - I've never seen muck like it and it was all over the house for weeks despite wet blankets at doors etc. I'd suggest leaving well alone in older houses.

muskoka

I'd also say dont do it. We;ve just renovated & left the ceilings & walls alone where we could.

If you feel you must do it, then start in a small convenient room - You may well find one room changes your mind.

GavB79

I too have taken down a lath and plaster ceiling. I was coughing up black stuff for weeks.

lisal0u

Hiya,

I also have a 1930's semi which has been completely renovated, this included pulling down all the lath and plaster ceilings and knocking all the plaster off the walls!

Here's a piccy of what to expect...


We did it ourselves and it wasn't difficult, actually quite fun apart from clearing the mess up! We then got plasterers in to board the whole house out and plaster!

We over skimmed two rooms and wish I hadn't! The plaster seemed ok but it has cracked in places! I wish I'd done them properly and not over skimmed!

I think it's a job worth doing if you can cope with the mess!

Lisa

Leif

lisal0u wrote: »

Hiya,

I also have a 1930's semi which has been completely renovated, this included pulling down all the lath and plaster ceilings and knocking all the plaster off the walls!

Here's a piccy of what to expect...

Wow! Respect, you the mamma. :T Seriously though, that is impressive. Others mentioned dust. I have sanded down plaster, and removed floor tiles possibly with asbestos, and used a respirator to protect my lungs. I had the kitchen redone, and two additional ceilings overboarded, and some walls skimmed/patched. I wish I'd had a few more walls done, as a plasterer can board and skim so fast it is incredible, whereas DIY filling/patching is so slow. And a plasterer does not charge that much per wall if he is doing a few rooms. Maybe putting up plasterboard and skimming costs more though. I suppose it is a case of seeing what condition walls and ceilings are in. I don't live in the house, and I don't think I would want to while modernising though I suppose you can put up screens to prevent dust spreading, and buy a Dyson/Hoover which may well end up destroyed by the heavy duty plaster dust.

DVardysShadow

lisal0u wrote: »

Hiya,

I also have a 1930's semi which has been completely renovated, this included pulling down all the lath and plaster ceilings and knocking all the plaster off the walls!

Here's a piccy of what to expect...


We did it ourselves and it wasn't difficult, actually quite fun apart from clearing the mess up! We then got plasterers in to board the whole house out and plaster!

We over skimmed two rooms and wish I hadn't! The plaster seemed ok but it has cracked in places! I wish I'd done them properly and not over skimmed!

I think it's a job worth doing if you can cope with the mess!

Lisa

For anyone undertaking similar, there is a very important safety issue to bear in mind. Do not let it get anything like the picture.

The laths generally come away with sharp nails and you need to be absolutely disciplined to throw them into one heap and not let them go across the whole floor. Otherwise you risk very nasty injuries to your feet.

prosaver

if you get it skimmed the new plaster would only be 3 mm thick