Ceiling Plastering and Repair Services Across Essex

Ceiling plastering is a highly specialist job. Working overhead is physically demanding and requires specific tools, technique, and experience. Because ceilings are often illuminated by large windows or modern spotlights, a poorly plastered ceiling will show every ripple, trowel mark, and line. At Fitt Plastering, we deliver a flawless, perfectly flat finish on every ceiling we touch.

Common Ceiling Problems We Fix

• Cracked Plaster: From minor hairline cracks to large structural fissures across the room.
• Sagging Ceilings: Often found in older properties where the old lath and plaster has failed and is detaching from the joists.
• Water Damage: Staining, bubbling, or collapsed plaster following a bathroom leak or roof issue.
• Artex Ceilings: Covering up dated, textured artex (including artex covered in woodchip wallpaper) with a smooth modern skim.
• Access Holes: Repairing holes left behind by electricians fitting downlights or plumbers fixing pipes.

The Ceiling Plastering Process

We don't just plaster over problems; we fix the root cause first:

1. Assessment & Structural Fixes: We check if the existing plasterboard is securely screwed to the joists. If it's sagging, we add new drywall screws to secure it. If the ceiling has failed completely, we will recommend over-boarding.
2. Preparation & Priming: We tape all joints to prevent future cracking and apply a PVA bonding agent to old plaster to ensure perfect adhesion.
3. Applying Plaster: We apply two coats of finishing plaster, working quickly across the ceiling to maintain a wet edge.
4. Feathering & Finishing: The plaster is trowelled repeatedly to iron out any ripples, leaving a glass-smooth surface.

New Plasterboard Ceilings (Over-boarding)

For ceilings that have failed completely, or old lath and plaster ceilings that are beyond repair, the best approach is often "over-boarding". We screw new plasterboard directly through the old ceiling into the joists above, creating a brand new, perfectly level surface, which is then skimmed. This is far less messy than pulling down an old ceiling.

Safety and Dust Control

Ceiling work can be messy. Gravity means dust, debris, and wet plaster want to fall to the floor. We take extreme care of your home, laying down heavy-duty floor protection and masking off walls and furniture to ensure the rest of your room remains pristine.

Frequently Asked Questions