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Whats this board type under the plaster? (Pic included)

21 replies

ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 11:22

We've started the mammoth task of redoing the 2nd bedroom in our 1937 semi. DH has been stripping the wallpaper and today lots of plaster came off and there's this board underneath.

What is it and How do we treat it? Plaster back over or other options?

Room is such a nightmare already. We also have to get a crumbling artex corner tested for asbestos.

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ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 11:23

Whoops! Forgot pic!

Whats this board type under the plaster? (Pic included)
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insancerre · 17/07/2016 11:25

Is that not just plasterboard?

ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 11:29

Is it? DH didn't think so but he's no DIY expert!

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BennyTheBall · 17/07/2016 11:30

It's plasterboard!

ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 11:32

Awesome! Thanks everyone! Does that mean the wall has been redone since the house was built or would it be original? (Interior wall if that helps)

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insancerre · 17/07/2016 11:35

It's not original
It's been redone
Obviously not very well for the plaster to be coming off again

ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 11:52

Yeah, it's just a very thin layer under two layers of wallpaper.

The whole room is a giant crap-fest. The plaster has come away under the window corner entirely, exposing the brick.

Whats this board type under the plaster? (Pic included)
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cathyandclaire · 17/07/2016 11:56

Is it definitely not asbestos? The first pic looks a little silvery and like the asbestos ( not the particularly dangerous sort apparently) we had in our house. However it could be the picture, the second pic looks more peachy and like plasterboard.

cathyandclaire · 17/07/2016 11:57

Looking again on computer, it's not grey or silvery is it? So probs not.

ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 12:10

Yeah, it's grey but a warm not-shiny sort of beigy-grey.

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ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 12:11

The plasterboard in the second pic is definitely a different type - more like what we'd call drywall in the US.

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ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 12:16

And then some of the plaster has this weird net enmeshed in it! Confused

Whats this board type under the plaster? (Pic included)
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cathyandclaire · 17/07/2016 12:19

Ours looked a bit like this, although a bit grubbier and older.

Whats this board type under the plaster? (Pic included)
ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 13:36

I literally have no idea whether it's asbestos or not - but I hope not as DH has had DD helping him! Shock

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PigletJohn · 17/07/2016 13:36

I was wondering if you used a steam stripper? The heat will make plaster blow away from the wall, if the steamer is held in one place.

Skimming onto plasterboard is quite normal. It is very difficult for an amateur to replaster more than a small patch. If you are getting a plasterer in, make sure you've taken off all the loose stuff and get it all done in one visit.

Plasterboard usually has a rather rough, absorbent papery surface, grey or white, but sometimes it is smooth creamy paper that you can paint (if you have low standards).

Your window section has obviously been repaired at least once. I have a feeling that it is a bay window with poor foundations, making a bid for freedom and trying to gain independence from the house.

Daffodil90 · 17/07/2016 13:45

The weird net stuff is what they put over the join between boards to help the skim stick to it evenly

ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 14:03

No steamer, just tearing it off.

The window isn't really a bay, it's got walls beneath all the way around, but it does turn a corner. We're having the windows replaced anyways as they only turn inwards, really irritating.

DH is desperate to have a go at plastering, while I'm inclined to say "are you fucking kidding me?" We have agreed to get a plasterer in to consult at least!

Thanks so far everyone for helping me solve the mysteries of English houses!

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insancerre · 17/07/2016 14:08

Get a proper plasterer in
It's not as easy as it looks

PigletJohn · 17/07/2016 16:38

"No steamer, just tearing it off."

You did soak it with water to soften the paste, first?

ButtonLoon · 17/07/2016 17:41

It wasn't ME! facepalm I'm going to go remind DH of that step... And I'm not letting him do any more diy.

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engineersthumb · 17/07/2016 22:45

That first picture looks somewhat like cement bound asbestos. If it is hard and only 3-5mm thick then it could be an asbestos based board. If it is soft / paper covered then it's likley plaster board. I've never seen asbestos used in quite this way though.

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