When to Get Your Plaster Ceiling Replaced

Posted on: 17 June 2020

While undertaking timely repairs can help prolong the lifespan of your plaster ceiling, it'll need to be replaced eventually. Knowing when to repair or replace the plaster can be a confusing thing if you don't understand the different forms of damage that can occur to your ceiling. 

Generally, minor damage to a plaster ceiling can be repaired while major damage to it will require a replacement. Read on to find out when it makes sense to take down your existing plaster ceiling and have it replaced with new plaster.

When Your Entire Ceiling Has Suffered Significant Water Damage

If you see signs of significant water damage to your ceiling, you may need to get all of the plaster removed and replaced. 

An undetected water leak can cause water to build up inside the entire ceiling, weakening the plaster. When this happens, you will see water stains on your ceiling. If the plaster feels spongy when you press a finger against it, it'll sag and eventually collapse.

To remedy this issue, you'll need to diagnose the water leak and fix it. Once you have addressed the source of the leak, you'll need to remove the plaster and replace it with new plaster.

When Your Ceiling Is Coming Loose

If there are no signs of water damage to your ceiling but the plaster begins coming loose and sagging away from the lath, this is a sign of poor ceiling installation. If the plaster isn't removed, it can collapse and cause serious injuries to your household members. It can also damage furniture and other interior furnishings. 

Even when it's in perfectly good condition, plaster breaks easily when it's being removed. Because of this, it's difficult to reuse plaster. A new plaster ceiling will need to be installed to make your home safe to live in.

When There Are Large Cracks in Your Ceiling

It's quite common for hairline cracks to appear on your plaster ceiling at some point. These cracks are often telltale signs of house settling or major temperature fluctuations in the attic, and they can be filled in with new plaster and repainted to restore the initial aesthetics of the ceiling.

However, large cracks that run lengthwise on your ceiling are a sign of plaster pulling away from the lath. If these cracks are visible across the total ceiling stretch, it's best to replace your plaster.

If you ever encounter the above-highlighted problems with your plaster ceiling, you'll most likely require a plaster ceiling replacement. Contact a plaster repair and replacement specialist to discuss and resolve your issues.

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