Hi,

Just started to redo my living room – and have finished removing the
woodchip! The house is a 1860s Victorian mid-terrace and the walls are
currently plastered – the bottom layer having hair in it – so I guess
original. I have removed the skirts for replacement (along with big chunks
of plaster). I intend to have painted, plastered walls and ceiling, so a
good finish is essential. At some point UPVC double glazing front door and
windows were installed, but instead of being plastered right up to the
window, they put in fat white UPVC trim all around where the plaster
bead/corner should be and siliconed it all in (oh, and installed a thin
plastic windowsill for good measure!). I took this off, and the reason for
it (other than being cheap!) became obvious – it wasn’t rebeaded
underneath when the UPVC was installed. So…

- I want to remove the trim and plaster the corner/bead right up to the
window and door – will there be any problems with cracking due to shutting
and opening of the window/doors, i.e. do you seal the join with a flexible
material? What about draughts?
- Is there anything I need to be aware when plastering onto this old base
of hair-plaster. Some of it will have to be hacked off as its rattling,
but most is sound. Is there compatibility problems to be aware of?
- I have a few cracks in the lath and plaster ceiling – if they are taped
before plastering should this stop further cracking once skimmed over?
- I’m putting plastic channelling in for wires before plastering over them
– is it feasible to get wires into the channels after plastering – i.e. a
year later when I need to run another circuit for e.g.?
- Is plumbing hot water pipes into plaster acceptable?

I have a marble fireplace which I need installing at the same time. Would
you advise getting a specialist to do this first, or should any competent
plasterer be able to do this for me??

Any help, ideas or advice gratefully received.

Thanks,

Richard.