"Colbyt" writes:
"blueman" wrote in message
...
We have a plaster-covered chimney in the 3rd floor home
office. However, over the decades, it appears that the plaster has
developed many warts, bumps, and patches so that it looks more like
hilly countryside than a flat wall.

You sure have a lot of projects going on. I bet your house is a zoo.

We recently purchased the house and there is a lot to get done. I have
been trying to prioritize and then do some myself and hire
professionals for the hardest, most time consuming stuff. Either way,
I try to do my research first online so I can bring in the right
people, ask the right questions, and make sure that I am not
overlooking important factors or alternatives.

Used only a gas vent with a liner you can do about anything you want and be
safe. I can't promise "to code" in your area but it will be okay.

New drywall (green board preferred) attached directly to the existing mess
with bugle head Tapcon screws is the least messy easy way to go. Use a
liberal amount of drywall adhesive and just the minimum amount of screws.

Should I be using the Type X (fire resistant) drywall?

Option 2 is to furr it out and hang drywall in the normal manner.

Someone else mentioned possibility of using "hat channel" furring
mounted with Tapcon screws followed by Type X drywall as a way of
ensuring code compliance (though I will need to check with local
building inspector for confirmation).

Plaster is a really hard DYI project. You could use Durobond as a base coat
and regular sandable mud for the top coats.

I probably would hire a plasterer here directly. My most pressing
question is really whether it is better to just go hire a plasterer or
to hang drywall (which I can either do myself or hire for).

If there is an open hearth or thimble that your failed to mention, brick it
up before adding the drywall.

No hearth. Won't know about thimbles if or until I remove the current
layers of plaster.

BTW, is bricking out thimbles a DIY job or not? Note, I have never done
brickwork but other than the fact that I'm sure it will take me longer
and won't look as good (which doesn't matter here), I am not "afraid"
of doing it.