sandspider Posted October 2 Report Share Posted October 2 Hi folks We have a plasterboard ceiling in our bathroom, with downlights installed (quite shoddily) through it. One of the lights has been pushed in and out so much that the plasterboard around it is giving way, I could push it right through into the ceiling. I'd like to cut out this square of plasterboard and replace it. Is this just a matter of cutting out a square, putting in a new square of plasterboard (screwed to a batten or something on top to hold it all together), filling the gaps, painting with suitable paint, and putting the light back through the patch? Or is there more to it than that? I'm guessing the latter! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted October 2 Report Share Posted October 2 (edited) Cut out the square. Get some timber say 50mm x 25 mm to go on the inside place. It the hole have it inch hanging out of the hole all the way around. Screw. The battons through. The existing plasterboard recess the screws a little into the board Cut the piece you need. To fill screw that to the. Batton exposed. In the hole. . Get some tape its like a nylon. Thread then skim it with. Filler. Then sand and feather the edges. Makes a nice. Strong finish .. Edited October 2 by johnphilip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted October 2 Report Share Posted October 2 You have guessed right , there is a bit more to it but it can be done , the thickness of plasterboard would most likely be 3/8th for a ceiling rather the 1/2 inch which is mainly used for walls , your ceiling might also have a skim of finished plaster on top of the boards so that need to be taken in account when you make good around the new piece you are replacing , your first job will be removing the old piece as far back to where the existing board is in good condition , if there is no edge of the old board on your ceiling joist then you need to cut the old board level with the joist and then nail a piece of tile batten so you have got something to nail your new piece of board on , once your new piece of board have been nailed up then it is just the case of plastering your repair to match your existing , GOOD LUCK and if you need any advise then by all means get in touch . MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted October 2 Report Share Posted October 2 (edited) Hello, I presume the electric cable is in the cavity ? I had the same happen with my Sons bathroom, First isolate the electric, You could use battens , short screws and hard as nails glue in the cavity over the cut out then glue a new piece of plaster board below making sure the cable was long enough to refit light, glue and screw the back plate and re fit light, but I cut out a 6 inch square then measure corner to corner and use that measurement to cut another square with a hole for cable , glue in cavity , once dry glue in the new square flush with ceiling with cable pulled through, once dry then glue and screw back plate , when dry fit light, it is quite a long repair but my sons light is still good and fixed after a few years, a paint over will help to finish off, Let us know how you get on 👍 Edited October 2 by oldypigeonpopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted October 2 Report Share Posted October 2 1 hour ago, sandspider said: Hi folks We have a plasterboard ceiling in our bathroom, with downlights installed (quite shoddily) through it. One of the lights has been pushed in and out so much that the plasterboard around it is giving way, I could push it right through into the ceiling. I'd like to cut out this square of plasterboard and replace it. Is this just a matter of cutting out a square, putting in a new square of plasterboard (screwed to a batten or something on top to hold it all together), filling the gaps, painting with suitable paint, and putting the light back through the patch? Or is there more to it than that? I'm guessing the latter! Thanks I'd say that's got it covered . I'd just be aware of any artex on the ceiling they often contain asbestos . But if its a flat plaster skim you should be fine to just cut it out and patch back in just make sure the patch is big enough to take the new light hole with strength to spare . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted October 2 Author Report Share Posted October 2 Thanks chaps. Will investigate further and see if I can face it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted October 2 Report Share Posted October 2 (edited) Hello, The advent of the Hard as Nails glue was a revolution for old DIY ers like me 😄, Edited October 2 by oldypigeonpopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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