Help! Piglet john or anyone else with advice

[Blackeyez09]

Hi
Plasterer due in a week and realised I have these cables (I presume cables underneath cannot actually see) covered in plastic sheathing attached to wall quite firmly above light switches that I really wanted covered and incorporated in wall

I know that parts of the house were rewired about 8 years ago when bathroom and kitchen extension were done.

What is the cheapest and quickest options can post a pic if needed

[PigletJohn]

do you mean that they are fixed to the surface of the wall?

Are they oval or rectangular?

[Blackeyez09]

Ok thanks for that how much should it cost roughly and how long does it take to harden also is this a job for the plasterer or electrician

[Blackeyez09]

Thanks pigletjohn... some are rectangular and some oval there are only 4-5 mainly in hall and a bedroom and yes they are firmly fixed to wall

[PigletJohn]

is the plastic oval or rectangular?

Are you having the wall skimmed (thin) or completely replastered?

Are the light switches also in square plastic boxes mounted on the surface of the wall? What about the sockets?

[PigletJohn]

Oval ones can sometimes be plastered over, but you would do best to find a well-recommended electrician and ask him to remove the cables from their mini-trunking or oval conduit. He will need to know all the other points I asked about.

[MaliceInWonderland78]

It sounds like mini trunking. You may be able to pull the "face" off the "chanel" It should snap back in (if it comes apart).

If it does, simply remove the switch box from the wall (I assume this is surface mounted) and chase out a recess for the cable and the box. It would be sensible to chase out a sufficient cavity to enable you bury a counduit (this would allow for easy re-wiring but might be a bit of a ball -ache; especially if you're not doing ceilings too) or at least protect the switch line with some galvinised capping.

[MaliceInWonderland78]

btw, I suggest you use a grinder and have someone stood next to you with the hoover.

An electrician could easily do this (if you don't do it yourself) and he should chop out the boxes so that the switches can be recessed (prior to the plasterer skimming.

[Blackeyez09]

Thanks everyone

I will be having the wall skimmed only

The light switches are in boxes which stick out where this trunking occurs, sockets are lower down closer to floor and flush with wall

Sounds like I'll get an electrician as I'm not confident to do it myself at all... I don't think my plasterer wants to mess with electrics either

[PigletJohn]

if it is just being skimmed, the cables need to be chased into the wall. A club hammer and bolster will be less messy than a chasing tool or grinder. The electrician may have a wall chaser with its own vacuum. It will not matter is the chase is a bit uneven. If you tell the plasterer in advance there are cable chases, he can fill them before mixing the skim.

Ask the electrician to take the light switches and the sockets off before the skimming, and to replace them afterwards.

Do not use your domestic vac to clean up plaster dust, and don't let the plaster or electrician either. Borrow or buy a budget canister vac with cartridge filter and paper bags.

[PigletJohn]

p.s.

as the light switches are in surface plastic boxes, ask the electrician to fit flush metal plaster-depth boxes.

[Blackeyez09]

Thanks for your help
Really confused now as electrician came round and on the sideline mentioned that he felt plaster on wall not good enough for skimming many blown areas and cavities

Admittedly plasterer only saw wall before I removed wallpaper.. Didn't feel he needed to check it out again

See pics...


Also plasterer is charging 250 for a 11 by 17 feet room which electrician felt was too cheap and concerned he may be cowboy
TIA

[Blackeyez09]

Please excuse messy pics!

[PigletJohn]

The plaster to the left of the chimeybreast looks damp (chocolate brown).

Have you been draping wet washing with the window closed? If not could there be a roof or guttering leak?

[Blackeyez09]

No drying in here
It might be where we used the steamer for two long when removing wallpaper... Whenever we did this it would crumble revealing dark chocolate underneath, certainly no damp smell, no mould anywhere in the room, it is not wet.. I'll check again tonight

The only thing is it that sash windows currently very stuck and not opening! and they will be refurbished!

[Blackeyez09]

It could be lighting which is also crap in this room (need new bulbs damn energy saving!)

[Bewooohooove]

By coincidence, I had a plasterer out to quote this morning for two rooms. I'll let you know what prices he says later if you want to compare?

[PigletJohn]

A steamer will blow plaster if held in one place long enough to make it hot. Might account for the loose patches.

Let your plasterer know you have some blown areas, ask for them to be hacked off and replastered. Should cost a bit more, but not as much as having the job done twice.

[Blackeyez09]

Beewooohooove... Yes that would be great please let me know

[Blackeyez09]

Ok thanks piglet... I'm just wondering whether you really can overskim blown plaster...? Can you just hack off bad bits and plaster over or does it need to be taken to brickwork my concern really is terrible dust and mess which I can handle if it's a room as easier to seal but my hallway needs doing too and it's the odd crack here and there but I know I can't hack this off to brick as it would affect the whole house and we are currently living here

[PigletJohn]

Blown plaster will move, so it will quickly crack through the skim.

Sooner or later it will fall off.

So hack it off before replastering.

[Bewooohooove]

blackeyez I got my quote, it more expensive than I thought but we've struggled to get someone so just having to bite the bullet. £540 for an 18x13 room. Two coats required in some places and repairs to ceiling and walls after rewiring.
Hope this helps.

[Blackeyez09]

Thanks smile]

Is this just for skimming or full replaster
Does it include skimming ceiling?
Where are you I'm in Birmingham