Ceiling plastering and repairs in Gloucester

Cracks and stains

Small cracks can usually be repaired and skimmed. A ceiling marked by a leak can be repaired once the cause of the water has been fixed, so tell us whether that's been done when you get in touch.

Overboarding

If you have a plasterboard ceiling that's in a fit state to be covered, new boards can go over it before a fresh skim, which saves taking it down. It isn't right for every ceiling, so Steve will look first.

Lath-and-plaster ceilings

Old lath ceilings are common in older Gloucester houses. When an old lath ceiling is past saving, it can be taken down and started again: on one Gloucester job we cleared it right back to bare timber, fitted insulation between the joists, then put up new plasterboard and finished it with a smooth skim coat. On a period bathroom the old ceiling was removed rather than boarded over, and the joints of the new boards were scrim-taped before skimming.

Artex and textured ceilings

Swirls, stipples and other textured finishes can be plastered to a smooth, modern ceiling.

Textured coatings such as Artex applied before 2000 may contain asbestos. Before any work that would disturb an older textured ceiling, we'll ask whether it has been tested. If it hasn't, we recommend having a sample tested by an accredited company first. Where the coating is sound, it can often be plastered over without disturbing it. We don't carry out asbestos removal.

Questions

Can you just board over my ceiling?

Sometimes. It depends on the ceiling; Steve checks before recommending it.

We had a leak. Can you fix the ceiling?

Yes, once the leak itself has been fixed. Send a photo.

Can you get rid of an Artex ceiling?

We can plaster it to a smooth finish. If it was put up before 2000, it should be tested for asbestos first. We'll talk you through it.

Is taking a ceiling down messy?

Yes, it's dusty work, so the room is cleared or sheeted and the floor covered first.