A customer of mine has requested a pull down stairway to access his attic. No big on that, however, the ceiling is plaster/mesh/lath. I am leery of cutting into it, worried that I will cause damage to the surrounding area. Any tips or ideas?
As Mike stated, expect a bit of plaster damage. You are framing a rough opening and you need to connect the lath/plaster combo to the framing. That's not happening.
Install the framing first, before removing the plaster and lath.
Remove the plaster only in the opening, leaving the wood lath in place.
The plaster should be removed 2" wider on each side of the rough opening.
A grinder will remove the plaster with the least amount of trauma to the surface.
Have a helper with a shop vac.
After the plaster has been removed, attach the wood lath to the newly framed opening.
Cut out the wood lath flush with the rough opening.
Sheetrock and tape the exposed wood lath.
Install the ladder and trim out the perimeter.
Ron
Mike and Ron, thank you both for your responses. This project will be a learning experience, but should be ok. I've never had to work around the plaster/lath before and was afraid that I'd really mess up his ceiling. Patience and care should be the hallmark of this one.
Use real plaster for the repairs and finishing touches. Drywall compound will not work in this situation. And if you compromise the lath structure somehow? Metal mesh stapled up there so the plaster has something to stick too.
Buy or rent a multi tool.
It will cut the plaster and wood lath without shaking it do death.
Another trick I use is to mark out the opening and then install a bunch of these "plaster washers" just outside your mark.
They will help secure the plaster and get covered with your finish trim or plaster.
Thanks for the replys and ideas. Each one of them is quite useful. I especially like the idea of the washers to secure the surrounding area and multi-tool for the cutting. This project will be interesting.
Harbor Freight sells GREAT disposable power tools. (inseret winky guy here) but they are handy when your in a pinch and need something for a one time use.
Harbor Freight sells GREAT disposable power tools. (inseret winky guy here):wink: but they are handy when your in a pinch and need something for a one time use.
Agreed. Although, I got tired of buying expensive, variable speed disc sanders that no matter how careful I was would get glogged up with drywall and plaster dust. I have had this cheap Chinese thing from Harbor Freight for five or more years now and it still hums away flawlessly. Wish the box stores would sell cheap tools that worked out as well although it is still best to buy real ones, from a tool store, for most things.
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