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Plastering
Conflicting advice from plasterers
We would like artex skimmed over in two bedrooms and have had several quotes. The house was built in the mid 80s and the artex contains no asbestos.
One plasterer said that, if he covered the artex with pva and then plastered over the artex, there is a danger that the weight of the pva and new plaster could cause the ceiling to fall down if the original ceiling boards have any cracks in them. He said it is impossible to know the state of the original ceiling boards as they are obviously covered in artex.
He said the risk of this is small but it can happen. The cost of boarding and then skimming is double the cost of going over the artex...over £800.
We have had 4 quotes and this plasterer is the only one who has mentioned this.
How big a risk is this? Would the ceiling literally fall down or would there be warning?
I would really appreciate any advice before we make a decision.
Thank you
Edit...forgot to add a detail which may be important. Across both ceilings, there are a few small holes. He said this is where the original ceiling has dropped a little. If you push the ceiling up as he did, you can see the ceiling move back up so these little holes can't be seen. I'm talking a matter of mms here.
4 Answers from MyBuilder Plasterers
Best Answer
Replastering any original ceiling carries risk, but if there are no visible cracks, it is unlikely that the additional weight of plaster would cause the ceiling to fail. If there are cracks, these can be tended to by re-screwing the original boards back into the joists.
Answered 10th May 2021
As your plasterer has said. A small risk, but the risk does exist. Sounds like he isn't prepared to take that risk himself and has left it to you to decide.
Edit. They he is spot on. The boards were likely origiinaly nailed, and are failing
Answered 10th May 2021
There are three main methods of covering artex ceilings
1) over skim using a bit of bonding in the 1st coat
2) over skim with bonding as 1st coat, and two plaster coats over the top
3) overboard and skim
3rd option is best as it guarantees the job.
Answered 10th May 2021
Every ceiling should be judged individualy if it was plaster lath would deffinatley advise to batten over old ceiling and reboard or pull old ceiling down messy job lot clients would rather over board also if previously boarded then could use dry wall Screws to rescrew board up up where plaster board nails prob popped would give artex light scrape tape up any vissable cracks or old board joints and reskim if surface is sound haven’t had a ceiling come down in35 years plastering
Answered 10th May 2021
