Disaster in the Lightning household.

Capt Lightning

Capt Lightning

Well-known Member
Location
Historic Buchan, Scotland
The style of our lounge dates back to about 1896 and the ceiling had a heavy moulded coving all round. Given its age it was not surprising that it had a few chips and cracks. One crack above the fireplace appeared to be getting worse and I had planned to repair it, but before I could, disaster struck.

We were watching TV when suddenly there was a roaring, rushing sound, and the coving split above the fireplace, falling and taking a large chunk of the plaster and lath ceiling with it. Miraculously nobody was hurt and nothing was damaged. We just sat there, shocked and surrounded by rubble. Subsequent inspection showed that the 120+ year old ceiling plaster was in a poor condition, so we removed it and are now about to start replacing it with modern plasterboard and coving.

The worst part is disposing of the old plaster - it is HEAVY, and it will take ages to get rid of the dust.
 

Maybe get an air purifier for that room to help get rid of the Microparticles of dust? Old plaster certainly does fall sometimes. Just happens. I’m glad no one got injured.
 
Capt Lightning said:
The style of our lounge dates back to about 1896 and the ceiling had a heavy moulded coving all round. Given its age it was not surprising that it had a few chips and cracks. One crack above the fireplace appeared to be getting worse and I had planned to repair it, but before I could, disaster struck.

We were watching TV when suddenly there was a roaring, rushing sound, and the coving split above the fireplace, falling and taking a large chunk of the plaster and lath ceiling with it. Miraculously nobody was hurt and nothing was damaged. We just sat there, shocked and surrounded by rubble. Subsequent inspection showed that the 120+ year old ceiling plaster was in a poor condition, so we removed it and are now about to start replacing it with modern plasterboard and coving.

The worst part is disposing of the old plaster - it is HEAVY, and it will take ages to get rid of the dust.
Click to expand...
Oh my word, that must have been terrifying, I am so happy the you are all ok.
 
Coving is a new word for me. I would have called it crown moulding. The example I just saw was beautiful, you must have a wonderful house.
Glad you weren't hurt. I hope you don't have a hard time finding someone who knows how to fix it.
 
Thank you to everyone for their posts. I haven't any pictures of the mess, but here are a couple of pics taken in the lounge...

This just gives an idea of the plaster coving. Solid plaster and very heavy. This pic is on the opposite wall to where the fall took place.
cove1.jpg

This the place where the ceiling fell - just above the fireplace. I expect the heat from the fire hastened the problem, but it was over 120 years old.
lounge.jpg
 
Oh Captain, thank heavens this triggered a big mess and formidable chore, but not a tragedy. I have no experience with plaster so can't advise on that front. Hoping you're able to right everything very soon.
 
Gosh Cpt L, I can imagine how much of a shock to the system it must have been. You have my sympathies. But tis good you're both safe and sound.

Plaster dust is awful stuff isn't it. I've eaten my fair share of it in my meals. It permeates everywhere for weeks no matter how much one tries to isolate and seal the area.

Your property sounds lovely though being 1896 and the lounge wall with the pictures displayed looks gorgeous. I love older characterful properties.

Good luck coping with all the mess and no doubt redecorating.
 

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