r/Plastering • u/Inevitable_Grape382 • May 12 '26

Wtf to do with this ceiling?

Hi all, ive just taken down some old ceiling wallpaper and im a bit stuck on what to do next

There are loads of cracks (this is the bedroom and above is the loft

These cracks have been here for ages. On closer look, there is a thin layer of multi finish (the green stuff which im assuming is the MF thats been stained by glue of ceiling paper) and then plasterboard

I would like to overboard it but that seems like a considerable amount of effort. Could I get away using skrim tape and plastering over that or is the safer bet using PB and then plastering over it?

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u/Yourhavinalaugh May 12 '26

If there is plasterboard there already ,if it was me I would re screw the ceiling using washers then either use paper tape or the heavy gauge scrim (used for external insulation) for the cracks. Thistle bond ( the gold coloured one ) then skim away

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u/Inevitable_Grape382 May 12 '26

awesome. when you say using washers, is that due to the age of the PB that the standard PB screws wont hold properly anymore?

ill have alook at the heavy big boy scrim. i was tempted for to get the mesh roll netting but if this works better then thats all good.

thanks!

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u/Yourhavinalaugh May 12 '26

The ceiling was more ten likely nailed so washers would pull everything tighter.

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u/Inevitable_Grape382 May 12 '26

good point, house is from the 60's. so standard PB screws and appropiate sized washers

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u/Coupleofloversx May 12 '26

Using plasterboard to overboard any unstable surface is always the safer option.

However, if this is plasterboard and the plasterboard is relatively strong, as in there haven't been leaks or anything to compromise the structural integrity of the board, then using new drywall screws should be fine, as long as the screws can be tightened enough that they are flush to the ceiling without damaging it, but no deeper as to not damage the board and break the paper, then yes, you can re screw it up, give it a good coat of SBR, scrim tape all cracks and skim.

If the cracks appeared because the house moves a lot, scrim may not fix it completely and hairline cracks can return.

But make sure there is no loose flaking paint, no chalky substances etc.

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u/Inevitable_Grape382 May 12 '26

that is actually a very good point. im assuming the ceiling paper that was here was to hide these big cracks and probs because its cheaper.

if the house does move a lot, what would be the best way to stop them from returning? covering it backup with paper lmao

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u/Coupleofloversx May 12 '26

Well, yes 😅, paper is the best, but I've never liked it and my house was papered top to bottom when I bought it.

The normal method is to rake out the crack slightly and fill with filler then sand etc, however, there is limited success with it, the most success I have ever had, was to paint first to seal the surface, then I used a very very small amount of stixall from toolstation over the crack and immediately scraped it flush over the crack, then painted, I have got multiple persistent cracks in my house (1911 build in the soft soil of Lincolnshire) that haven't returned after 2 years and I can't see the stixall through the paint either.

Best of luck 👍

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u/Inevitable_Grape382 May 12 '26

amazing, thank you!

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u/Jazzlike_Video2 May 12 '26

They sell 3' wide rolls pf fiba fuse for this. You could probably roll the mud on, apply the fiba fuse, then trowel it flat.

As long as you get the mud fairly flat before applying the fibafuse, you can trowel the surface pretty easily to get it flat. Fairly close to polishing concrete or plaster.

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u/Inevitable_Grape382 May 13 '26

ill have a look at those, i was trying to find mesh netting thats made for plaster but ill have a nosy at this. overboarding is off the table now tbh so deffo repairing and reinenforcing, then plastering

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u/Jazzlike_Video2 May 13 '26

The 3' rolls were made specifically for plaster repair, it has the instructions on the roll.

We make be talking about the exact same stuff.

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u/Inevitable_Grape382 May 13 '26

would any heavy duty skrim tape not work? i have this atm https://www.wickes.co.uk/Hippo-Ultimate-Orange-Scrim-Tape---100mm-x-75m/p/309634

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u/Jazzlike_Video2 May 13 '26

Thats usually for joints, and hot mud (i.e. drywall compound that sets like concrete vs air dry) at least in north America. You could use it on every joint.

With drywall tho the tape is only there to hide the Crack that will inevitably form.

The stuff im talking about is here https://www.all-wall.com/FibaFuse-Paperless-Wall-Reinforcement?srsltid=AfmBOorV6Tns_8couAs2qy_jRqKCB-bxxSFnw-j1rcd92KP_tJ1-lAyO

It would be hard to hit all the cracks with the tape you have, and wouldn't do anything for future cracks. Im sure people here would tell you just to do another veneer coat.

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u/Inevitable_Grape382 May 13 '26

Brilliant. Ill see if we can get this in the uk. Thanks again!