Ceiling replastering

[Mommysapsap]

Hi all, I am urgently looking for someone to replaster the ceiling of our living room. We had a crevice in the plaster this morning and just after 8-10 hrs the whole roof has come down. Really thankful that no one is hurt but would really like this to be addressed ASAP and hence looking foe recommendation for builders / replasterers in Wandsworth / clapham area. Thank you very much!

Hi OP, not local to you so can't give a recommendation but did want to ask if you know the cause for the ceiling collapse?

I'd say it's relatively unusual for a ceiling to come down like that with no underlying reason. If there is one - e.g. if a leak from the bathroom had caused the plaster to get wet and heavy - then obviously you'd need to fix that issue before you re-plaster, or you risk the same situation repeating.

Best of luck and hope you find a good contractor to sort it for you!

I am guessing that it was a ceiling put up prior to about 1960, and made with lath and plaster.

If it was built prior to 1945 and in or near a town, factory, railway yard or harbour, it was probably shaken and cracked, and has been staying up out of habit. Very likely the nails holding the laths in place were also rusted.

Am I right?

I have plasterers on site at my renovation in Putney at the moment I can ask if they know someone. I could also ask another plasterer who quoted for us - send me a private message if you want me to pass on your details to them. The size of your room and the address would be useful as well whether it’s a period property and has the cornice come down as well?

Actually - just had a thought - surely this is an insurance job. Contact your buildings insurance provider.

No idea what led to the collapse honestly. I don't see any watermarks to be honest and the structure above seems to be concrete.

Yes the flats pretty old, and we bought very recently (few months back) but the previous owners had refurbished pre selling but clearly havent done a great job! Will ask the contractors to assess the cause as the experience has left me a bit shaken specially with having a toddler in the house!

@Qc16 thank you so much, will msg you my address in dm but we are in North side Wandsworth Common. Would building insurance cover even if they issue is inside the flat. I thought the building insurance was only meant for external structure.

@PigletJohn just checked our building insurance document. The block (five flats) were built in 1975.

Very strange that it fell down, then.

[quote Mommysapsap]@Qc16 thank you so much, will msg you my address in dm but we are in North side Wandsworth Common. Would building insurance cover even if they issue is inside the flat. I thought the building insurance was only meant for external structure.[/quote]
No buildings insurance should cover any of the structure including the internal walls. We had a leak from a shower once which damaged the ceiling and the bathroom below and it was all covered by the buildings insurance.
You may still need to get your own plasterer so I’ll send you a couple of names and phone numbers.