#1
Hi all,
I'm having my flat converted from a communal heating system to an independent one, so whilst the upheaval is happening, I thought it would be a good time to redecorate and get the ceiling re-plastered as there were a few previously repaired cracks in the lining paper that bugged me.
Our decorator, who has a very good attention to detail, recommended someone to strip and skim the ceilings. Unfortunately they have done a terrible job, and in the living room plastered straight on to the lining paper as they claimed they couldn't get it off the ceiling, even though they managed to take it off in no time in the hallway, which was the identical stuff.
The next day I realised the issues with plastering over paper, so paid another highly rated plasterer to do a survey. His report was that the plaster was well bonded and not lose, but that the finish was extremely poor and not suitable for decoration.
Today the decorator arrived and was so sorry for the recommendation and couldn't believe it was done like this. He confirmed it would not look good once decorated as well.
I've since spoken to a local plasterer who is highly rated, who says I have 2 viable options:
1. He can skim the ceiling with a finish coat to correct the finish issues, but cannot assure the ceiling as the base is on paper.
2. He can cut the ceiling out (there is an original 1930's cornice) around the cornice, re-board it and skim it.
My question is what would you do? Given that the plaster is over textured paper, could the plaster be scrapped off to reveal the original base, or is this an impossible task?
BTW, I haven't paid the original plasterer yet and when I spoke to him to tell him my findings, you could tell he was aware of what they had done. although he did say, "we do this all the time and it's fine" which is worrying for other unsuspecting customers!