Plaster of paris also has a very short working time (about 10 minutes), so don't mix up too much at a time.ĭrywall compound will probably match almost as well as plaster of paris, and its available in mixes that are easier to work with (20 minute set time, several hour set time, etc.). You can use drywall tape on the edges where it meets the old plaster, but may want to score the old plaster so that you can embed the tape a little. This is one case where a little is better than a lot, because you can always add more layers. Make sure that the tape is applied evenly and without wrinkles or bubbles. Install a layer of drywall tape directly over the compound. If any of these conditions apply to you, then you may want to keep your original lath and plaster walls in place.
This will help create a smoother base for the drywall to be hung on. You enjoy walls that are curved or irregularly shaped that cannot be replicated if you decide to remove your lath and plaster walls and replace them with drywall. Plaster of paris will dry very hard, so gradually layer it in to minimize the need for sanding. Here’s what you’ll need to do: Cover the existing lath and plaster with a layer of drywall mud or joint compound. As the plaster dried, the asbestos fibers got embedded in the plaster surface because they had been mixed into the moist plaster mixture. Metal lath is a more reliable surface for. Lath and plaster were extensively reinforced with asbestos in the past to boost their fire resistance. The old plaster is probably fairly thick, so you could also screw or glue in some 1/4" or 1/2" drywall first to fill the void, and then use plaster or drywall compound on top of it to completely fill in the area. Traditional lath and plaster jobs used wood lath, but the moisture level in wood makes it expand and contract, which can make plaster crack. Thanks for that Apart from a box room and a wee bathroom adding some inches to the exterior walls shouldn't be a problem in most rooms, though as you say it will be a lot of work: there will be a fair bit of stuff like cornices, architraves & fire surrounds to replace/move.If you still have the wood lathe to fill the hole and just need plaster, you can use plaster of paris (most like your old plaster), or something like versabond drywall compound to fill the areas. After this time it was supplanted in building and construction work by modern gypsum and. It is often found in use in the dividing walls of old properties, as the technique was most popular from the 1700s until the early 1900s. If rooms are big enough you don,t even need to rip out old plaster +lathes-just build a modern house inside it inside it ?Īpply vapour barrier to the frames before you lift them up into place and you got full damp proofing at same time and a gap for the old walls to breath into the roof spaceĪ house that old will be built with a cold roof and lots of drafts in the loft area -so you kill all problems at same timeĪlso will be a job you can do while still living in it ,a bit at a time if you wishįilling the gap with anything will stop the air flow to the roof you must have with this type of old house -you will make more damp problems Lath and plaster is a traditional construction technique and finish commonly used for interior walls and ceilings. Maybe a bigger job then you wanted but is the right way to go long term and also a chance to replace electrics etc at same time and have house with modern insulation stds
When you hit lath, stopthe bit won’t go through woodpull out the bit, and drill another hole about 3 inches from the first and about 2 inches from the crack. Once the molly is secure, unscrew the bolt and then replace it with the item in place. Using a 3/16-inch masonry bit, drill a hole in the plaster about 2 inches from the crack. Take care not to overtighten you’ll know this is happening if the anchor flange starts to depress the surface of the plaster or drywall. Maybe time to think about getting rid of the lathe and plaster and build stud walls -providing rooms are not very small Turn the screw to mushroom the slotted sleeve against the back wall surface.