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Cracks in plaster

8 replies

3LeggedCat · 28/10/2019 19:12

A plasterer plastered our ceilings in July this year and then we had it painted. It looked lovely, but it's started cracking in the upstairs rooms (it's fine downstairs). The plasterer just came round to have a look and says that there must be distemper in the original surface and there's no point in redoing it. The dampness in the new paint would have caused the plaster to detach from the ceiling. He has suggested putting boards up and plastering the boards. For rooms with coving, he's going to cut the ceiling out and put boarding in, so the coving can stay in place. I don't understand why he can't clean the ceiling down and replaster. Any advice much appreciated.

Cracks in plaster
Cracks in plaster
OP posts:
PigletJohn · 28/10/2019 19:47

how old is the house?

Is the ceiling lath and plaster?

Did you just have it skimmed?

How long to you think the plasterer has been in business? Have you spoken to any of his previous customers?

SciFiRules · 28/10/2019 22:40

Distemper is a PITA! I scrubbed the walls with hot water and it still cracked up! A fresh bonded ceiling is best, over tacked (screen not nails), taped and plastered. I would not cut in with the cove but replace it. If you butt up to the cove it will crack, the whole point of cove is that it flexes to stop the cracking. The walls will be in a mess after plastering the ceiling anyway.

3LeggedCat · 29/10/2019 13:28

@PigletJohn
The house is about 45 years old. The ceiling is plasterboard.

I don't think we had it skimmed - this doesn't show on the invoice, so probably not.

The plasterer doesn't have any reviews. We struggled to get anyone else to quote although 2 other plasterers came round.

OP posts:
3luckystars · 29/10/2019 13:30

I would get another opinion.

3LeggedCat · 29/10/2019 13:37

Just checked with my husband - it did get skimmed

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 29/10/2019 14:29

Why did the ceiling need to be replastered?

If it's plasterboard, and only 45 years old, I am not at all sure that it would have had distemper on it. Did you ever paint the ceiling? Did the paint stick, or come off? Was it papered?

Did the plasterer treat the ceiling with a coat of glue the day before, and let it dry, then apply another coat on plastering day, and plaster onto it sticky?

I am not a plasterer.

MrsMaiselsMuff · 29/10/2019 14:32

Why would the others not quote for the work?

PigletJohn · 29/10/2019 15:13

It seems to me that there are fewer excellent plasterers, than work available.

So they can pick and choose the easiest, or the best-paid, or the ones where Jaffa cakes are provided, or the ones where they can be home in time for tea.

A wait-list is not unusual.

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