Just wondering if there is an easy way to remove lathe and plaster without making a huge mess.
I have figured out that a tarp on the floor below demo site really speeds cleanup.
Also is there a good method for cutting larger holes (for attic access or maybe an art niche) without disturbing surrounding plaster too much.
getting into a little more remodel latey and would appreciate any suggestions.
thanks
jim at great white
Replies
Easier?
Yeah, take the room outside.
For sure do it before April 22nd of this year. New Lead Paint laws take effect, unless delayed.
I don't like tarps-they tear too easily. I'll put down visqueen (now), taped to the floor (if not carpeted and we are removing the carpet) first. Then 1/8'' masonite sheets taped to themselves. Next I'll line up drywall buckets along the wall. Starting at the top I usually start hitting the plaster with the side of my happer. If it's loose, I might take a flat shovel at an angle scraping off the plaster. As much as goes into the buckets I don't have to shovel.
Carry the buckets outside, then dump into a trash can, dumpster, roll off, all positioned so I don't have to lift much. If the cans, then the cans are already in the back of the van. (With new lead rules-supposed to be bagged for removal from the room.)
After all the plaster is done (or most) I'll pry off (however is easiest on this job) the lath. If wall open on the other side-I'll blast off (loosen) the lath and plaster from the open side.
Cutting Holes: Score or cut somehow (angle grinder - new lead laws? doubtful) the plaster and remove (multimaster with grout or diamond blade), then cut the lath with circ. saw, multimaster or sawzall (be careful of dislodging surround plaster). If a larger hole I would screw furring surrounding the hole to "hold" the lath from moving around.
Sucks just thinking about the new Lead Rules and a job like this...........
thanks calvin
seems like I just about have it figured out. there really is no easy clean way to do it! The new laws will tend to make it a more tedious process.(PITA)
jim at great white
You're welcome Jim,
If there's one thing (and there isn't just one) I detest it's demo'ing plaster and lath. It gets in your pockets, down your shirt, hellyes, in your pants. Imagine that scenario and the new lead laws.............
lath and plaster tip
My preferred method, depending on how careful you need to be with the existing floor is to
1) Tape off the floor with either poly or paper (red rosin or tar paper work well) and then lay down some nasty old carpeting along side the wall. The carpet can be whatever old scrap from wherever because it will eventually be chucked out.
2) Knock of the plaster leaving the lath intact and dipose of it via 5 gallon bucket or chute made out of sonotubes if on an upper floor.
3) Come back and remove the lath separately and bundle it and save it, chuck it or use as kindling. whatever ...
My favourite tip however is, if you have a plaster wall or ceiling that you want to save rather than knock down is ... Lee Valley sells these little stainless steel washers (they used to come with SS screws too but now you just use plain old drywall screws) that will suck up any loose or bulging plaster back to the lath. It will require some mud to smooth out the wall and hide the washers, but it is WAY easier than lugging out tons of plaster from a place.
Here's the link
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=1&p=40099&cat=3,41306,41316
They work great and are a godsend for a quick repair. That and 3/8" drywall.
Good luck from one who isn't terribly fond of being dessicated/dehydrated by lime and isn't all that wild about breathing in 100 year old horse hair :-)
cbolton
I like to put 1/8'' masonite over that carpet so what misses the bucket is easier to flat shovel.
And the comment above on leaving lath (channeling it out for running wire etc) to be a backer for sheetrock is a good one. Brings the surface finish closer to the original and easier to trim out.
A lot of people like to cut the plaster into manageable widths so they can take it out in chunks. I don't know the procedure exactly, but it's something like make a cut to one side of each stud (and a couple of horizontal cuts in the wall) so you have roughly 16'x30" rectangles. Then pry them off the wall.
Of course others like to pound all the plaster off and then remove the lath separately.
Both strategies are helpful in terms of minimizing dumpster volume. What you don't want, in that regard, is stuff piled in higgly-piggly.
It helps a lot when there are 6 layers of wallpaper holding the plaster together...
lathe & plaster
Your question was about clean up but if you're this new at it, there's other lathe and plaster issues to know about. First is save enough lathe intact that you can nail to the faces of all framing if you have door and window trims going back up on original door frames or windows. 1/2" sheetrock over the framing alone will leave you packing the backside of the trim everywhere it goes back in. A layer of lathe under that same sheetrock will put you in much better shape for the trim out.
1/4 inch drywall
on top of lath llnes up almost perfectly to match original wall thickness, in my experience.
thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great tips in there
jim at g reaat white