Builders advice please

[Christophski]

Hey guys

Have just brought a house and need some advice. (I hope no one minds)

Bedroom ceiling had foam tiles on it so I pulled them off and the ceiling underneath is ruined. I have been told by the plasterer that I cant plaster direct to the existing ceiling as it has been painted in distain and the plaster wont stick to it. So I have been told I can either scrub it all off which will take ages or I can put up new boards and he will skim over them. So my question is, what size boards do I need? The ceiling joists are around 17" apart (Some are 18" or 19", its old so they arent equal exactly...)

Thanks
Chris

[Christophski]

Sorry, i meant distemper...

[UrS4boy]

You need to screw new Gyroc (tm) boards to the ceiling with special gyproc screws. The plasterer should have offered that as a service. It can be done as a DIY but you will need some help getting each board started. In NAmerica, Gyroc is available in 4 ft x 8 ft, 10 ft and 12 ft sheets (the longer the heavier the board is to install). In the UK, the sizes are different, as listed in this British Gypsum website:

http://www.british-gypsum.com/produc...wallboard.aspx

[Christophski]

Cheers boss, I already knew to get the gyproc sheets but im just curious as to which size I should get because the ceiling joists are around 17" apart (Some are 18" or 19", its old so they arent equal exactly...)

[re2500]

I had a ceiling tile suspended ceiling throughout upstairs when i bought my house.
I chose to rip the tiles and frame down, and take all the Lath and Plaster off (small wooden strips nailed to the joists and plastered over the top) so i was left with just the joists, i put noggins in at the correct separation (this bit took the longest) and re-plasterboarded (using screws, not nails) the whole upstairs before re-plastering. It was time consuming and very messy but worth it as its perfect now.
I had the advantage that i wasnt living in the house at the time. If your living there i would suggest you just plasterboard over the old ceiling and plaster onto that, the mess of pulling your ceiling down is even worth comprehending.
I used 8ft x 4ft sheets. You can get smaller, But 8x4 are manageable and you cover area quite quickly, its also the cheaper size as its common. You will have to cut the boards though as you want the boards to start and finish on a joist ideally. You will have to take your time to pencil onto the old ceiling the position of the joists on the ceiling (As this is where your stongest fastening points for the screws will be if you get long enough screws to reach the joists.
Also try and put the boards in a staggered brick like pattern on the ceiling, this will help prevent crack propagation when the plaster dries.
What age is your house?

[Christophski]

Cheers boss, thats the kind of advice I was after. I have looked into it and have located all the joists so know where Im going. I need to make sure I get the centres marked out first. Im boarding straight over the old ceiling as its not sagging, I just cant do anything with it because of the distemper. will get the 8x4 boards and make them fit properly. Have been advised to use screws for this as you said. Cheers

[re2500]

Like myself it seems you joists are an awkward separation. 8ft or 4ft doesnt divide into 17" very well
You'll just have to cut 11 inches off the length of a 8ft board in order to span 6 joists.
Cutting plasterboard is a piece of piss if u have a decent 4ft straight edge, stanley knife and a Stanley surform (£5-6)

[chezz]

I'd use a smaller 1220 x 900 x 9.5 board as these are seriously difficult to lift up to the ceiling and mark each one individually and cut...you have a massive jigsaw on your hands...use the 9.5 board for greater flexibility over uneven joists...and the next rows joints has to be offsett away from the last

[re2500]

Cheers boss, thats the kind of advice I was after. I have looked into it and have located all the joists so know where Im going. I need to make sure I get the centres marked out first. Im boarding straight over the old ceiling as its not sagging, I just cant do anything with it because of the distemper. will get the 8x4 boards and make them fit properly. Have been advised to use screws for this as you said. Cheers

Good luck!

Nails just work loose eventually and you end up with the head of the screw poking a circle of plaster off the wall. Buy a decent Dewalt (or equiv) cordless it was the best £99 i spent when i did up my house.

And one of these helps with the screws it disengages from the screw when its flush

http://www.screwfix.com/p/phillips-2...0Pack%20of%205

[jsws3]

To measure the centres on your joists get a hammer and break a hole throw so you can feel every joist with your fingers both ends of the room then ping a line using a plumb bomb .
Then cut to suit your plaster borde and don't forget to stagger your joints .

Oh and YouTube is your friend .

Best of luck

[re2500]

Good idea!!

[chezz]

I locate the joists by using a small drill bit in a cordless and keep moving along until you hit one or punch through either side of the joist, from above, using a long, thin, flathead screwdriver.Don't let your assistant get too close to the ceiling when you are doing it by this method!

[gripper]

I locate the joists by using a small drill bit in a cordless and keep moving along until you hit one or punch through either side of the joist

Oh ! Your still alive then
Not hit any electrics yet then ?


Sorry couldn't resist that one

[chezz]

The single lighting cable that is in the roof space...not hard to find mate!

[bluequattro]

I d take all the old ceiling down n start fresh
8x4 difficult to put up on your own, you can hire a lift or just get a mate with a yard brush to hold it up
but as already mentioned a plasterer should do it and be quicker and put it up how it should be , otherwise may be a tooth sucker n moan you ve done it wrong