Best "TOOL" for taking old plaster off brickwork

[Chickcatcher]

As per title I am stripping all old plaster 90 odd year old from brick work and lathe and plaster off of ceilings, Advise to what "IS" the best tool for this. So far done 14 walls using an old spade takes about 1hr per wall Still got 24 walls to do!

 

[SilliamWhale]

Sds drill and chisel bit
Be gentle though if its lime plaster

 

[RayG]

Stripping it off in layers works for me. Assuming its lime work Lath and plaster, bash it all over with a shovel and sweep up the plaster, bash it all again to break the lath, pickup and burn. Hard walls gentle use of sds drill with a chisel. I always do demolition as a removal in reverse order of build rather than just bash it all off and end with a horrible pile to pick through. There is a risk plaster before 1900 ish has horsehair in it with possible Anthrax risk. Not sure how true this really is but I use a good mask in any case.

 

[Tinman Steels Ltd]

Ive got a Bosch gbh36v with the chisel bit eats through any plaster I've but it up against, its paid for itself many times over in time saved for chasing walls out for new wiring, but it can be a bit brutal on any brick that's not in decent condition.

 

[phillipe]

The lad who works for me!!!!

 

[renewablejohn]

Also any artex on ceilings or walls is likely to contain asbestos so again always wear a good quality mask and eye protection. I find engineers glasses easier to wear than goggles which steam up.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Possible one of the dirtiest jobs ever, removing lath & plaster ceilings! Spade is the best tool wearing a paper suit & quality mask with goggles. A hose with fine spray attachment would be handy. All doors & windows open on a windy day helps too. Often the plaster will come down easily once you start so as has been said, clear this first then the laths then the nails with pincers or claw 'mer.
Removing old lime plaster from brickwork, be gentle here. Yes a little Makita type breaker and a small bolster is good or by hand with a wide bolster & small lump hammer. Care not to disturb the bricks please.
Remove all old timber fixing nogs in doorways & window reveals, replace these with bricks. (Victorians put these everywhere!) Remember the perp skirting wedges too & fill the remaining holes.
SS

 

[Chickcatcher]

Thanks "Boys" @skinnyhoskins Idea seems the best so far I don't think his north Location is close to my North Herts though. The brick is a bit soft and the house has a date of 1911 on it so presume that was when she was built. Might just try the SDS method if the walls fall down shouldn't be to "BAD" I have been told by a builder it would be cheaper to flatten and re build than what I am trying which is do it up myself with subby help.

 

[Chickcatcher]

Update @suffolksmallholder I really think this is a job you would "RELISH" thanks for all advice feel free any to drop in and see progresss SG9 0RG

 

[Chickcatcher]

Further thinking for the ceiling removal, Orange Box and Milk crate came to mind but 3 members of the extended Family in Hospital this week perhaps I should get some better "gear" to get closer to the Ceiling any Ideas, @suffolksmallholder @skinnyhoskins @RayG @SilliamWhale

 

[SilliamWhale]

Further thinking for the ceiling removal, Orange Box and Milk crate came to mind but 3 members of the extended Family in Hospital this week perhaps I should get some better "gear" to get closer to the Ceiling any Ideas, @suffolksmallholder @skinnyhoskins @RayG @SilliamWhale

I removed a lath and batten by getting in the loft and breaking it down by standing on the ceiling joists. I'd say some trestles or stepladder or hop up

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Our local builders merchants have these on offer. Band-stands. Can be had for £10 ish second-hand too.
Alternative is in the other picture but more suited for when you are much younger or start putting things back together & I was glad to only have two rooms to do, for an old friend, as I had to hang onto the walls quite often......Stilts
SS

 

[rob1]

I removed a lath and batten by getting in the loft and breaking it down by standing on the ceiling joists. I'd say some trestles or stepladder or hop up

By far the easiest is to lift the floor boards and beat it down from above with a spade, at least the dead mice and spiders dont end up down the back of your neck that way

 

[Chickcatcher]

@rob1 Thanks that does sound more up my street. If I Take boards up of down stairs and do that first, second floor will then be on the ground and easier thanks "good lad"

 

[TripleSix]

Go to local hire shop and hire a "chipping hammer"

Like a large SDS drill, cheap to hire, easy to use.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Why are you taking it off anyway? If you want to modernise you can skim on top of lime quite successfully or even fix plasterboard on top

 

[Chickcatcher]

Why are you taking it off anyway? If you want to modernise you can skim on top of lime quite successfully or even fix plasterboard on top

"OH" Silliam Your question has haunted me for 2hrs, its now 3am and cant sleep. Twas thought that to remove all plaster would reveal any and all problems with the actual structure. I had expected and am seeing damp and a bit of brick work in not that good a "shape"..A couple of days ago a visitor had also posed the similar question of why not just leave the ceilings there and refix fresh insulation and plaster board. Dose @suffolksmallholder have an opinion following his post from above?

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Ok. Yes I have an opinion....By all means cover the ceiling lath & plaster over using new plasterboard. Removing the existing does give you an opportunity to run cables/pipework though AND if you are that way inclined, insulate too using insulated plasterboard or 25mm & then plasterboard. This particularly applies to upstairs ceilings. Exposing the floor/ceiling joists will also allow you to 'see' their feet where they enter & are supported in the walls. I have had to reinforce these on occasions as damp brickwork has rotted any bearing they may have had.......Not good.
'Tis difficult to 'do' later as you can imagine.

Once you have started on this route PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF MY NEXT SENTENCE. All your ceilings, if they are lath & plaster are at risk of falling down. Building work, particularly if you are doing what you are doing causes massive disturbance.... (Later)... You have just finished & your house is much warmer, the plaster has pulled unbeknownst to you in some places, the new found warmth weakens this a little more and WALLOP the ceiling plaster drops as one,
Now I have been blamed for this but I have seen it happen too many times for it to be coincidence. It usually happens just as you have finished the decorating or even six months after!

The moral of this is, If you have attached new plasterboard to ALL ceilings even over the existing lath & plaster you will be ok. If not DO SO Please. Or take the bl**dy things down.

The majority of full 'renovations' that I have been involved in, and that's more than I care to remember has resulted in removal of all lath & plaster. In the long run it's usually for the better. Now that's only my opinion but I do speak fron experience

OH, there's a PS here too....You can spray for insect infestation. Wood-worm are a menace.
SS

 

[simon-0116]

Ok. Yes I have an opinion....By all means cover the ceiling lath & plaster over using new plasterboard. Removing the existing does give you an opportunity to run cables/pipework though AND if you are that way inclined, insulate too using insulated plasterboard or 25mm & then plasterboard. This particularly applies to upstairs ceilings. Exposing the floor/ceiling joists will also allow you to 'see' their feet where they enter & are supported in the walls. I have had to reinforce these on occasions as damp brickwork has rotted any bearing they may have had.......Not good.
'Tis difficult to 'do' later as you can imagine.

Once you have started on this route PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF MY NEXT SENTENCE. All your ceilings, if they are lath & plaster are at risk of falling down. Building work, particularly if you are doing what you are doing causes massive disturbance.... (Later)... You have just finished & your house is much warmer, the plaster has pulled unbeknownst to you in some places, the new found warmth weakens this a little more and WALLOP the ceiling plaster drops as one,
Now I have been blamed for this but I have seen it happen too many times for it to be coincidence. It usually happens just as you have finished the decorating or even six months after!

The moral of this is, If you have attached new plasterboard to ALL ceilings even over the existing lath & plaster you will be ok. If not DO SO Please. Or take the bl**dy things down.

The majority of full 'renovations' that I have been involved in, and that's more than I care to remember has resulted in removal of all lath & plaster. In the long run it's usually for the better. Now that's only my opinion but I do speak fron experience

OH, there's a PS here too....You can spray for insect infestation. Wood-worm are a menace.
SS

Ha ha agree. Remember plastering ceiling old thin boards 9mm ish. Joists 20" centers. Skimmed it went back next day like a banana. Weight bowed it as little clout nails used. Pulled it down in end.

 

[SilliamWhale]

I wouldn't skim on lath and batten because the ceilings are rarely dead flat (although I don't totally agree that it would fall down as lath and batten can last for a long time) but I wouldn't be too eager to strip down all walls off lime plaster if the plaster is sound unless for insulation purposes not least because if its sound skimming with multifinish on top of this works well.

All depends on the house and the state of things I suppose and whether you fancy keeping some of its period features or not. I have saved a few lath and batten ceilings because they've been in decent shape but some I've walloped out.