Blown plaster / insurance

Building_help83

Hi,

I have an old mid terrace Victorian house, circa 1900's build.

Previous owner used a lot of wall paper to cover walls. In lounge the paper has started to come away from walls and the plaster falling out behind.

This is the majority of the Exteriior facing wall.

I probably need to strip it off etc, however is this claimable on my insurance to fix / redecorate? My insurance is up for renewal in a few weeks so is there a policy where it would be claimable?

In the hall wall that adjoins to neighbour also has bubbles where I can see he plaster has blown - taps difeferent sound.

Appreciate some insight here as Tommy options etc as both rooms would seem to require stripping back the entire walls, fixing and redecorating , which is likely going to be some serious money?

Thanks!!!

Grenage

That's wear and tear (and pre-existing!), so you'll not be able to claim on your household insurance. Knocking off the blown plaster and getting it redone won't be too bad.

LEJC

I have never known this to be something covered by buildings insurance.

I imagine it has just got old possibly damp at some point and now may need either filling in if the area is small or skimming if it effects whole walls....

tis the joys of home ownership I'm afraid....sometimes things just wear out and need replacing

not sure what you mean by serious money...but a quote from a plasterer would be a good start...whole rooms re skimming cost around £400 if that helps you with quotes

phill99

Two Hopes: One of them is Bob.

Silvertabby

Two Hopes: One of them is Bob.

... and Bob Hope is dead.

Annie1960

If this is the only thing that is wrong with your Victorian house then consider yourself lucky! It's very minor, and as others have said, general wear and tear that should be dealt with by routine maintenance.

Insurance covers things that happen suddenly and unexpectedly, not things that develop slowly over time.

FreeBear

As others have said, you won't get it done through your insurance.

If you are stripping off more than 25% of the plaster, building control will want to be involved and have the external walls insulated. With it being a Victorian property, it will most likely be solid brick walls - 3" of Celotex/Kingspan on the inside of the walls will get you close to current requirements without reducing floor space too much.

If you are only patching & skimming, try to stick with lime plaster - Modern gypsum plasters are not vapour permeable (breathable) like the traditional lime plasters.