Hole in ceiling - need quick temp fix but how to?!

SplanK

Hi all,
Early this week we discovered a leak above the kitchen and located it in the cavity of the ceiling. Rather than going from the top, we went from the bottom (to prevent taking up a load of bathroom furnature and we plan to rip down the ceiling in when we do the kitchen in about 6 months time).

We are now letting it dry out, however in about a week or so time, I want to try and give it a quick patch up - nothing to OTT or expensive or perfectly finished, just something simple to fill the hole and a quick paint over until we are ready to pull the lot down and do it properly.

How would you go about something like this? There is just that one joist and nogin exposed that I could attatch something to, unless I start cutting back further. Towards the wall though I am not even sure if I could take it back to something as the coving maybe in the way!

fluffpot

cut some battens longer than the hole - place inside and screw up from underneath so they are fixed. Then fit the cut out piece of ceiling over the hole and fix to the battens

BINGO!

tigeress289

As above, but I would also glue , as to spread the load when you screw into. Sometimes the pressure of screwing upwards,pushes the screws through the plasterboard. It is only for added grip. The above post, is spot on of how to do it.

SplanK

you know, that makes perfect sense and not quite sure why I didnt think of it before posting!
Ta

pineapple

Depends how big the hole is. Mine was hand sized in the ceiling. I did a 'quick temporary fix' last year and it's still fixed! I got some special plasterers mesh tape (think it's called scrim tape) with adhesive on one side from a DIY place - and fixed it across the hole on the inside. I used enough to overlap on the sound plaster and get a grip. Don't pull it too tight as it tends to contract. I plastered over the gap with trade quality deep hole pollyfilla. Wasn't sure if it would take it all in one go so I applied it round the edges first and when that was dry, finished off with the bit in the middle. Total cheat but it's held and it looks fine.
There is an online video somewhere showing this.

SplanK

The hole is quite large, much larger than hand size! Not sure if you can see the picture I added to the original post, but there is a large-ish spot light in the shot next to the hole which may give you an idea of scale... I dont think your idea would work in this case as there would be too much weight.

I will go with the above idea of adding a few battons at the far side for support and then just screw it into the joist at the other end, use that tape stuff and just throw some sort of plaster type stuff over it to level it out before painting!