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Fireplace plaster skim

  • 13-03-2019 4:00pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,391 ✭✭✭


    Hi guy's,
    Having removed an old fireplace I'm looking to close it up and try skimming with plaster, but looking for some pointers.

    Does the fireplace have to be built up with bricks, or can I cut a piece of plasterboard from side to side and put it in place? If it's the latter, around the edges which I assume will be rough, do I need to fill first with the likes of easi fill and then plaster or just build the plaster up?

    20190313-152816.jpg

    Secondly I wanted to do the sides aswell, but one has a crack as per below

    20190313-152824.jpg

    Again does it need to be filled first or just plaster on? Which brings me to the third question, the wall's have been stripped of paper and have a plaster finish, do I need to PVA all the surfaces first, then 2 coats of thistle multifinish or does it need a different primer/plaster applied?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,531 ✭✭✭Car99


    Slab the whole chimney front and sides , insulate the gap where the fire was. Tidier and better finish.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,216 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    Careful with sealing him the Chimney (if that is what you are doing)

    You cant just seal it up as it will cause internal damp in the flue and create problems structurally if left with no ventilation.

    Chimney would have to be sealed properly both ends or a vent has to be provided for somewhere it the stack.



    in short sealing up from the bottom = bad news


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    5500 wrote: »
    Does the fireplace have to be built up with bricks, or can I cut a piece of plasterboard from side to side and put it in place? If it's the latter, around the edges which I assume will be rough, do I need to fill first with the likes of easi fill and then plaster or just build the plaster up?

    I'd have a hard time believing that plasterboard infill won't ultimately crack at the interface between it and the wall. The wood on which you hang it will shift. Maybe if you set it back further in the fireplace, put some expandable mesh over brick/plasterboard (after removing some plaster from the brick surround), bond then skim you'd have a chance.

    Me, I'd brick it up (bearing in mind the comment about sealing the top of the chimney as well / else a vent in your new plasterboard.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,391 ✭✭✭5500


    Thanks for the advice guys. For sealing the top will the likes of one of these caps do the trick or do we need to be airtight?

    https://www.birdstop.co.uk/c-cap-disused-chimney-cap.asp

    If I go the slab route, is it just batons onto the breast, then slabs onto batons/skim slabs? The room is a second living room and unused as such, so no hurry or pressure working in it, I wanted to try my hand with plaster and see how I got on, but want to do things right and not be cutting corners either while trying to learn


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    5500 wrote: »
    Thanks for the advice guys. For sealing the top will the likes of one of these caps do the trick or do we need to be airtight?

    https://www.birdstop.co.uk/c-cap-disused-chimney-cap.asp

    If I go the slab route, is it just batons onto the breast, then slabs onto batons/skim slabs? The room is a second living room and unused as such, so no hurry or pressure working in it, I wanted to try my hand with plaster and see how I got on, but want to do things right and not be cutting corners either while trying to learn

    Looking at the photos I'd go with the earlier advice to slab the whole breast and sides.

    Infill the fireplace with batten / plasterboard to get that flush, then slab the lot (putting more adhesive/ mushrooms where new board meets old wall / ceilings. Use either mushrooms or dab and slab + plus a few mushrooms).

    Its easier to skim the whole surface than try to work half new into half old. The corner beading you use give good edges to work from


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,391 ✭✭✭5500


    Hi guys, just one other thing on this, measured the wall today to see how many boards I would need, but forgot all along about the coving at the top. It measures about 5mm sticking out from the current surface, assuming thinnest board I can get is 9.5mm, is my only option to try remove the coving that's around the fireplace already and try find a similar piece to replace it with?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,370 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    Do you have pictures of the coving?
    Its usually one of 2 standard profiles unless its very old.
    Just pull it down and replace


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,216 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    5500 wrote: »
    Hi guys, just one other thing on this, measured the wall today to see how many boards I would need, but forgot all along about the coving at the top. It measures about 5mm sticking out from the current surface, assuming thinnest board I can get is 9.5mm, is my only option to try remove the coving that's around the fireplace already and try find a similar piece to replace it with?


    I had to do the same job recently to wall mount a TV and hide the cables .


    There was existing coving there. And it was not replaceable (old) and patterned. We wanted to keep it. So I chopped the mitres with an angle grinder for clean cut and trimmed the top with the same. Had it down in ten minutes. When all done I fitted it back up. Wouldn't even know it was taken down.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,531 ✭✭✭Car99


    If it's old and not available off the shelf you could carefully cut it out , reuse what you can after making a mold so you can replicate a section if necessary . YouTube has plenty of how to videos.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 390 ✭✭tradesman


    My advice is to get a plasterer in. Plastering is not a job you will get right 1st time & you will be looking at the fireplace for a long time to come.


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