Hi there,

We moved into a 1930’s bungalow last year that has plaster and lath
throughout the house. We are looking to update our kitchen. Previous
owners installed weird vinyl sheets of tile looking material on the
bottom half of the wall and then added a textured spray paint over top
of this. It looks absolutely hideous! We have removed a small portion
of this in an unobtrusive spot to see what we’re dealing with. It
appears that the vinyl was glued directly to the plaster. When we
took it off, the plaster completely crumbled exposing the lath.
We are looking for some advice as to what to do with this. Currently
we are considering removing all the weird tile stuff, which will most
likely cause most of the plaster to come down. Two of the walls are
exterior walls so we would like to put some insulation up as well. The
cost of totally re-plastering the whole room is probably greater than
what we have planned and budgeted for.
Our current game plan is to
1) remove the vinyl stuff and the plaster down to the lath, sadly this
will be floor to ceiling because I can’t figure out a good way to do
only the bottom half of the wall where the vinyl is attached
2) Install 1x3 furring strips and insert 1” pink foamboard insulation
on the two exterior walls. The alternative is to remove the lath here
as well and frame a new wall with 2x2’s or 2x3’s and insulate.
3) Hang drywall over the lath or insulation (1/4” over the insulation
and something thinker over the lath)
4) Install beadboard wainscoting with a ply cap on the bottom half of
the walls.

What we are concerned about is how to deal with the existing moulding
around the doors and windows. It’s really nice and we fear it would
get damaged if we had to remove and reinstall it.

We have also had a suggestion to remove the lath on the interior walls
and just affix the drywall to the studs.

Any suggestions as to what to do with our mess? This is our first
major DIY project and we’re just a little on the nervous side!
Thanks
Hayley

On 3/23/2011 7:25 PM, HalesC wrote:
Hi there,

We moved into a 1930’s bungalow last year that has plaster and lath
throughout the house. We are looking to update our kitchen. Previous
owners installed weird vinyl sheets of tile looking material on the
bottom half of the wall and then added a textured spray paint over top
of this. It looks absolutely hideous! We have removed a small portion
of this in an unobtrusive spot to see what we’re dealing with. It
appears that the vinyl was glued directly to the plaster. When we
took it off, the plaster completely crumbled exposing the lath.
We are looking for some advice as to what to do with this. Currently
we are considering removing all the weird tile stuff, which will most
likely cause most of the plaster to come down. Two of the walls are
exterior walls so we would like to put some insulation up as well. The
cost of totally re-plastering the whole room is probably greater than
what we have planned and budgeted for.
Our current game plan is to
1) remove the vinyl stuff and the plaster down to the lath, sadly this
will be floor to ceiling because I can’t figure out a good way to do
only the bottom half of the wall where the vinyl is attached
2) Install 1x3 furring strips and insert 1” pink foamboard insulation
on the two exterior walls. The alternative is to remove the lath here
as well and frame a new wall with 2x2’s or 2x3’s and insulate.
3) Hang drywall over the lath or insulation (1/4” over the insulation
and something thinker over the lath)
4) Install beadboard wainscoting with a ply cap on the bottom half of
the walls.

What we are concerned about is how to deal with the existing moulding
around the doors and windows. It’s really nice and we fear it would
get damaged if we had to remove and reinstall it.

We have also had a suggestion to remove the lath on the interior walls
and just affix the drywall to the studs.

Any suggestions as to what to do with our mess? This is our first
major DIY project and we’re just a little on the nervous side!
Thanks
Hayley

Any reason you can't remove the lath on ALL the walls, and just insulate
the stud bays? Or did I miss where the exterior walls are other than
stud construction? Why do you need to fur them out? 1930s-era 2x4s are
deeper than modern, in most cases, and should give adequate insulation.
Just for giggles, get a quote on getting the walls shot with foam-
highest insulation value, and will tighten up your probably-air-leaky walls.

The molding is not a big issue, unless it is some exotic profile that
you cannot buy at local lumberyard. It likely has multiple coats of
lead-based paint anyway, so unless it is quarter-sawn oak or something,
is not worth the labor of stripping. If it IS hardwood with a clear
finish, you can pull it off and reuse it. A couple of Stanley flatbars
and stiff putty knives will handle it. Note that the wall you put back
needs to be same thickness as the old plaster and lath, or you will need
to add a thin layer of wood under where the molding sits, to make it all
line up.

You do know that you will need to remove the cabinets to do this rehab
correctly, right? And that in a 1930s house, if they are they original
cabinets, they were probably built in place? Unless you want to replace
with modern box cabinets, building new cabinets in place is not a DIY
job unless you have a table saw and experience.

Pictures speak louder than words- try library or bookstore and look at
books on period renovations. Any one task is easy- it is only when you
are standing at the foot of the mountain that it seems impossible. Start
knowing that it will take more time and money than you think it will. If
there is no way to set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in house (like
in laundry area, with a microwave to cook), seriously consider hiring
out part of the work. Eating takeout constantly gets tiring, and is hard
on wallet and health.

--
aem sends...

On Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:25:35 -0700 (PDT), HalesC
wrote:

Hi there,

We moved into a 1930s bungalow last year that has plaster and lath
throughout the house. We are looking to update our kitchen. Previous
owners installed weird vinyl sheets of tile looking material on the
bottom half of the wall and then added a textured spray paint over top
of this. It looks absolutely hideous! We have removed a small portion
of this in an unobtrusive spot to see what were dealing with. It
appears that the vinyl was glued directly to the plaster. When we
took it off, the plaster completely crumbled exposing the lath.
We are looking for some advice as to what to do with this. Currently
we are considering removing all the weird tile stuff, which will most
likely cause most of the plaster to come down. Two of the walls are
exterior walls so we would like to put some insulation up as well. The
cost of totally re-plastering the whole room is probably greater than
what we have planned and budgeted for.
Our current game plan is to
1) remove the vinyl stuff and the plaster down to the lath, sadly this
will be floor to ceiling because I cant figure out a good way to do
only the bottom half of the wall where the vinyl is attached

I've got a similar project in mind for my kitchen. House is circa
1959. Outside wall and one adjacent wall.
Wife doesn't like the 1" tiles on lower half, the built in cabinets
are shot, and the electric needs upgrading.
Here's my plan, and it should be basically what you'll do.
Tear out the 2 walls (you might do 4 walls) to the studs.
In my place the outside wall is brick, so there's furring strips and
little space for insulation.
It's all drywall. With plaster you want to be aware that sometimes
the backing isn't level - the plasterer made the wall level.
So check that before you slap up drywall.

You didn't mention whether you have studs or furring there.
I haven't decided whether or not to build out the exterior wall with
studs. Would have to box out the back door and a window.
But I could get good insulation in and standard electrical boxes.
The ceiling will need taping at minimum.
Might have to do more there, not sure yet. But I'm anticipating.

Here's the main issues to think about.
Don't worry about moulding. It's easily replaced.
Think about the insulation, plumbing and electrical to be done now.
Think about transition points - can they be taped/plastered or should
they be replaced?
If you have a plastered ceiling and don't want to replace it give some
thought to cutting it where it meets the wall so it can be replastered
nicely. You may want to gut the entire room.
Give some thought to disposing of the old stuff, taping sheeting at
the doors so you get dust throughout the house, vacuuming, dust masks,
etc.
You don't want to do a lot of work to end up with a butchered job.
Sometimes less is more, but sometime you just have to do more to get
enough.
If you plan it well you can continue to use the kitchen to cook.
But you might eat out or use the microwave more.
Cover appliances with plastic sheeting and move them off the wall you
are working on.
The sink might be a bigger problem, so you might have to wash dishes
elsewhere. I can use the basement sink.
I know my sink will be down for most of the job.
Anyway, think it out well and plan well.
If you have specific questions, there's guys here who can answer them.

--Vic

We moved into a 1930’s bungalow last year that has plaster and lath
throughout the house. We are looking to update our kitchen. Previous
owners installed weird vinyl sheets of tile looking material on the
bottom half of the wall and then added a textured spray paint over top
of this. It looks absolutely hideous! We have removed a small portion
of this in an unobtrusive spot to see what we’re dealing with. It
appears that the vinyl was glued directly to the plaster. When we
took it off, the plaster completely crumbled exposing the lath.
We are looking for some advice as to what to do with this. Currently
we are considering removing all the weird tile stuff, which will most
likely cause most of the plaster to come down. Two of the walls are
exterior walls so we would like to put some insulation up as well. The
cost of totally re-plastering the whole room is probably greater than
what we have planned and budgeted for.
Our current game plan is to
1) remove the vinyl stuff and the plaster down to the lath, sadly this
will be floor to ceiling because I can’t figure out a good way to do
only the bottom half of the wall where the vinyl is attached
2) Install 1x3 furring strips and insert 1” pink foamboard insulation
on the two exterior walls. The alternative is to remove the lath here
as well and frame a new wall with 2x2’s or 2x3’s and insulate.
3) Hang drywall over the lath or insulation (1/4” over the insulation
and something thinker over the lath)
4) Install beadboard wainscoting with a ply cap on the bottom half of
the walls.

What we are concerned about is how to deal with the existing moulding
around the doors and windows. It’s really nice and we fear it would
get damaged if we had to remove and reinstall it.

We have also had a suggestion to remove the lath on the interior walls
and just affix the drywall to the studs.

Any suggestions as to what to do with our mess? This is our first
major DIY project and we’re just a little on the nervous side!
Thanks
Hayley


*First thing you should do is set up a temporary kitchen somewhere else in
the house. You need to have some sense of normal living while your kitchen
is demolished. Hang sheets of plastic over the door openings of the
existing kitchen to keep the dust contained.

Strip all of the walls and ceiling back to the original wood framing. As
someone else pointed out there will be lead paint on everything. You can
neatly remove the existing wood moulding and strip it yourself or have it
striped or just plan to buy new stuff. Remove the wood lath because some of
that will need to be taken down anyway for plumbing and electrical work. It
will be easier for the contractors if there aren't any obstacles.

Prepare for the worst. Most likely you will discover other problems such as
plumbing and electrical issues. You should also plan on bringing the
kitchen up to the current electrical code. Think about heating and cooling.

Because of the age, you will need to follow EPA guidelines for working in a
home with lead. There is plenty of information on the EPA's web site about
this.

Plan as much as possible before starting the project. You can save some
money by doing some things yourself, but it will take longer. You should
consider your experience and skills and tool collection when planning on
what you will do instead of paying a qualified contractor to do.

Get permits and inspections for everything.

Talk to suppliers, contractors, designers, neighbors, friends, relatives,
your mailman, etc as almost everyone has some experience doing a remodeling
project on different scales. You will hear horror stories and good stories.

If the job is well planned and well financed and contractors do all of the
work, this project could be finished in 4-6 weeks. I had a husband and wife
call me for the wiring of two 1950's bathrooms that they were going to
remodel themselves. They had a third bathroom that they were going to use
for a family of four. They did the demolishing themselves and called me
when they were ready to do the rough-in the wiring and paid me for the
rough-in. They called me back a year later when they were ready to finish
the electrical work. They did everything else themselves.

"HalesC" wrote in message
...
Hi there,

We moved into a 1930’s bungalow last year that has plaster and lath
throughout the house. We are looking to update our kitchen. Previous
owners installed weird vinyl sheets of tile looking material on the
bottom half of the wall and then added a textured spray paint over top
of this. It looks absolutely hideous! We have removed a small portion
of this in an unobtrusive spot to see what we’re dealing with. It
appears that the vinyl was glued directly to the plaster. When we
took it off, the plaster completely crumbled exposing the lath.
We are looking for some advice as to what to do with this. Currently
we are considering removing all the weird tile stuff, which will most
likely cause most of the plaster to come down. Two of the walls are
exterior walls so we would like to put some insulation up as well. The
cost of totally re-plastering the whole room is probably greater than
what we have planned and budgeted for.
Our current game plan is to
1) remove the vinyl stuff and the plaster down to the lath, sadly this
will be floor to ceiling because I can’t figure out a good way to do
only the bottom half of the wall where the vinyl is attached
2) Install 1x3 furring strips and insert 1” pink foamboard insulation
on the two exterior walls. The alternative is to remove the lath here
as well and frame a new wall with 2x2’s or 2x3’s and insulate.
3) Hang drywall over the lath or insulation (1/4” over the insulation
and something thinker over the lath)
4) Install beadboard wainscoting with a ply cap on the bottom half of
the walls.

What we are concerned about is how to deal with the existing moulding
around the doors and windows. It’s really nice and we fear it would
get damaged if we had to remove and reinstall it.

We have also had a suggestion to remove the lath on the interior walls
and just affix the drywall to the studs.

Any suggestions as to what to do with our mess? This is our first
major DIY project and we’re just a little on the nervous side!
Thanks
Hayley


I have done this quite a few times. Careful work can save the trim.

First score the joints at the wall and where it meets the wood on the other
side. A utility knife or one of those scoring tools made for hardie backer
will cut the caulk and paint and break the seam.

Then slowly and carefully start prying at the bottom on the wall side using
a flat bar. The miters at the top will be cross nailed from the sides and
the top. Extra care is needed here.

Label each piece as you remove it. Don't drive the nails back out. Pull
them from the backside using vice grip type pliers.

If you break a piece just glue it back together.

Your studs will need to be furred out so that half inch drywall will mate
with you window and door casings.

Questions? I am a regular here.


--
Colbyt
Please come visit http://www.househomerepair.com

On Mar 23, 7:25*pm, HalesC wrote:
*Hi there,

We moved into a 1930’s bungalow last year that has plaster and lath
throughout the house. We are looking to update our kitchen. Previous
owners installed weird vinyl sheets of tile looking material on the
bottom half of the wall and then added a textured spray paint over top
of this. *It looks absolutely hideous! We have removed a small portion
of this in an unobtrusive spot to see what we’re dealing with. *It
appears that the vinyl was glued directly to the plaster. *When we
took it off, the plaster completely crumbled exposing the lath.
We are looking for some advice as to what to do with this. Currently
we are considering removing all the weird tile stuff, which will most
likely cause most of the plaster to come down. Two of the walls are
exterior walls so we would like to put some insulation up as well. The
cost of totally re-plastering the whole room is probably greater than
what we have planned and budgeted for.
Our current game plan is to
1) * * *remove the vinyl stuff and the plaster down to the lath, sadly this
will be floor to ceiling because I can’t figure out a good way to do
only the bottom half of the wall where the vinyl is attached
2) * * *Install 1x3 furring strips and insert 1” pink foamboard insulation
on the two exterior walls. The alternative is to remove the lath here
as well and frame a new wall with 2x2’s or 2x3’s and insulate.
3) * * *Hang drywall over the lath or insulation (1/4” over the insulation
and something thinker over the lath)
4) * * *Install beadboard wainscoting with a ply cap on the bottom half of
the walls.

What we are concerned about is how to deal with the existing moulding
around the doors and windows. It’s really nice and we fear it would
get damaged if we had to remove and reinstall it.

We have also had a suggestion to remove the lath on the interior walls
and just affix the drywall to the studs.

Any suggestions as to what to do with our mess? *This is our first
major DIY project and we’re just a little on the nervous side!
Thanks
Hayley

DON'T EAT IT. Cancerous material is not cancerous as long as you do
not touch it. But it you knock into it or hit it with a hammer it WILL
KILL you.

Don't let these capitalist conartists fool you. Chinese drywall was
recalled because they are communists. All the other muderous material
is OK.

I still demand the monitoring device out of my back Richard Nixon and
the CIA stuck there when George H W Bush kidnapped me in 1982.

On 3/24/2011 3:33 PM Colbyt spake thus:

I have done this quite a few times. Careful work can save the trim.

First score the joints at the wall and where it meets the wood on the other
side. A utility knife or one of those scoring tools made for hardie backer
will cut the caulk and paint and break the seam.

Then slowly and carefully start prying at the bottom on the wall side using
a flat bar. The miters at the top will be cross nailed from the sides and
the top. Extra care is needed here.

I like that you acknowledged the OP's desire to save and re-use the
trim, something that seems to have escaped other respondents who
breezily suggest that you can just replace it (you can't, at least not
easily, at least not if you want to retain the profile of the existing
trim).

After all, the OP did say:

What we are concerned about is how to deal with the existing moulding
around the doors and windows. It’s really nice and we fear it would
get damaged if we had to remove and reinstall it.


--
The current state of literacy in our advanced civilization:

yo
wassup
nuttin
wan2 hang
k
where
here
k
l8tr
by

- from Usenet (what's *that*?)

On Mar 23, 6:25*pm, HalesC wrote:
*Hi there,

We moved into a 1930’s bungalow last year that has plaster and lath
throughout the house. We are looking to update our kitchen. Previous
owners installed weird vinyl sheets of tile looking material on the
bottom half of the wall and then added a textured spray paint over top
of this. *It looks absolutely hideous! We have removed a small portion
of this in an unobtrusive spot to see what we’re dealing with. *It
appears that the vinyl was glued directly to the plaster. *When we
took it off, the plaster completely crumbled exposing the lath.
We are looking for some advice as to what to do with this. Currently
we are considering removing all the weird tile stuff, which will most
likely cause most of the plaster to come down. Two of the walls are
exterior walls so we would like to put some insulation up as well. The
cost of totally re-plastering the whole room is probably greater than
what we have planned and budgeted for.
Our current game plan is to
1) * * *remove the vinyl stuff and the plaster down to the lath, sadly this
will be floor to ceiling because I can’t figure out a good way to do
only the bottom half of the wall where the vinyl is attached
2) * * *Install 1x3 furring strips and insert 1” pink foamboard insulation
on the two exterior walls. The alternative is to remove the lath here
as well and frame a new wall with 2x2’s or 2x3’s and insulate.
3) * * *Hang drywall over the lath or insulation (1/4” over the insulation
and something thinker over the lath)
4) * * *Install beadboard wainscoting with a ply cap on the bottom half of
the walls.

What we are concerned about is how to deal with the existing moulding
around the doors and windows. It’s really nice and we fear it would
get damaged if we had to remove and reinstall it.

We have also had a suggestion to remove the lath on the interior walls
and just affix the drywall to the studs.

Any suggestions as to what to do with our mess? *This is our first
major DIY project and we’re just a little on the nervous side!
Thanks
Hayley

You have gotten some good advice. I will concur/reinforce a few
points and add a point or two. Agree on saving the moulding and how
to do it. Also agree with the poster who said to remove all the
cabinets and everything first then figure on stripping down the whole
wall, whichever walls you are doing.

When you take off the plaster and see the lath, what is behind the
lath? Most likely the lath is nailed onto studs and the best thing is
to take off the old lath, and insulate between the studs on the
outside walls. First do or have done whatever wiring or plumbing
needs doing. Then consider installing fiberglass insulation - it's
pretty good insulation, cheap, comes precut to standard stud cavity
sizes, doesn't rot or burn, and is pretty easy to work with except for
the nasty itch factor. Wear a mask while working with it. Then cover
with drywall. Drywall is great stuff, again easy to work with and
cheap. Since the old lath and plaster is probably thicker than
standard half inch drywall, you might need to shim it our or use two
layers. You might consider jobbing the drywall out, it's not too
expensive and they do it well and fast; also they will know how to
handle the shimming. If you do it yourself read up on the finishing
process, it's a little tricky but certainly doable for the DIYer. One
other tip, I think someone mentioned this but the scoring tools made
for cutting cement board (e.g. Durock or Wonderboard) work great for
cutting plaster. It's a simple cheap hand tool. Use it for example to
make a clean edge where the wall meets the ceiling. Don't try to use
a power tool for cutting plaster it will just wreck the blade, make
sparks and so on - that plaster is like cement. Removing the lath and
plaster will make a big mess and you will have a lot of stuff to get
rid of, no way around that. -- H

On Mar 25, 4:10*pm, Heathcliff wrote:
On Mar 23, 6:25*pm, HalesC wrote:









*Hi there,

We moved into a 1930’s bungalow last year that has plaster and lath
throughout the house. We are looking to update our kitchen. Previous
owners installed weird vinyl sheets of tile looking material on the
bottom half of the wall and then added a textured spray paint over top
of this. *It looks absolutely hideous! We have removed a small portion
of this in an unobtrusive spot to see what we’re dealing with. *It
appears that the vinyl was glued directly to the plaster. *When we
took it off, the plaster completely crumbled exposing the lath.
We are looking for some advice as to what to do with this. Currently
we are considering removing all the weird tile stuff, which will most
likely cause most of the plaster to come down. Two of the walls are
exterior walls so we would like to put some insulation up as well. The
cost of totally re-plastering the whole room is probably greater than
what we have planned and budgeted for.
Our current game plan is to
1) * * *remove the vinyl stuff and the plaster down to the lath, sadly this
will be floor to ceiling because I can’t figure out a good way to do
only the bottom half of the wall where the vinyl is attached
2) * * *Install 1x3 furring strips and insert 1” pink foamboard insulation
on the two exterior walls. The alternative is to remove the lath here
as well and frame a new wall with 2x2’s or 2x3’s and insulate.
3) * * *Hang drywall over the lath or insulation (1/4” over the insulation
and something thinker over the lath)
4) * * *Install beadboard wainscoting with a ply cap on the bottom half of
the walls.

What we are concerned about is how to deal with the existing moulding
around the doors and windows. It’s really nice and we fear it would
get damaged if we had to remove and reinstall it.

We have also had a suggestion to remove the lath on the interior walls
and just affix the drywall to the studs.

Any suggestions as to what to do with our mess? *This is our first
major DIY project and we’re just a little on the nervous side!
Thanks
Hayley

You have gotten some good advice. *I will concur/reinforce a few
points and add a point or two. *Agree on saving the moulding and how
to do it. *Also agree with the poster who said to remove all the
cabinets and everything first then figure on stripping down the whole
wall, whichever walls you are doing.

When you take off the plaster and see the lath, what is behind the
lath? *Most likely the lath is nailed onto studs and the best thing is
to take off the old lath, and insulate between the studs on the
outside walls. *First do or have done whatever wiring or plumbing
needs doing. *Then consider installing fiberglass insulation - it's
pretty good insulation, cheap, comes precut to standard stud cavity
sizes, doesn't rot or burn, and is pretty easy to work with except for
the nasty itch factor. *Wear a mask while working with it. *Then cover
with drywall. *Drywall is great stuff, again easy to work with and
cheap. *Since the old lath and plaster is probably thicker than
standard half inch drywall, you might need to shim it our or use two
layers. *You might consider jobbing the drywall out, it's not too
expensive and they do it well and fast; also they will know how to
handle the shimming. *If you do it yourself read up on the finishing
process, it's a little tricky but certainly doable for the DIYer. *One
other tip, I think someone mentioned this but the scoring tools made
for cutting cement board (e.g. Durock or Wonderboard) work great for
cutting plaster. *It's a simple cheap hand tool. Use it for example to
make a clean edge where the wall meets the ceiling. *Don't try to use
a power tool for cutting plaster it will just wreck the blade, make
sparks and so on - that plaster is like cement. *Removing the lath and
plaster will make a big mess and you will have a lot of stuff to get
rid of, no way around that. *-- H

Waste of time.Just spread some drywall mud over the tile and smooth it
some then blow knockdown. It even sticks to veneer paneling.

On 4/3/2011 4:59 PM, Tooth Sucking Idiot wrote:
(snip)
Waste of time.Just spread some drywall mud over the tile and smooth it
some then blow knockdown. It even sticks to veneer paneling.

People like you give a bad name to the trades. What about the poor SOB 5
years from now that has to do repairs on that mess? Do it right, or
don't do it at all. Don't just put another of crap over it.

--
aem sends...

On Apr 3, 6:11*pm, aemeijers wrote:
On 4/3/2011 4:59 PM, Tooth Sucking Idiot wrote:
(snip)

Waste of time.Just spread some drywall mud over the tile and smooth it
some then blow knockdown. It even sticks to veneer paneling.

People like you give a bad name to the trades. What about the poor SOB 5
years from now that has to do repairs on that mess? Do it right, or
don't do it at all. Don't just put another of *crap over it.

--
aem sends...

**** them this the US(them)
Death and destruction to the department of justice. Death to Northco
Construction Frank Winston Crum and his stinking Insurance Company. MY
hat is off to anyone who executes my senator congressman or governor.
We need to ban capital punishment and start executing people at the
golf courses.