how to protect ceiling rose?

[jungle_jim01]

We've got a high victorian ceiling with what looks like an original ceiling rose in the centre (despite the ugly light dangling from it). The lath/plaster ceiling has been covered in artex which in places has flaked off due to prevous water damage. The structure of the ceiling feels ok so was originally thinking of skimming up to the rose. However, just wondering about whether it's possible to remove the rose, skim, or board+skim then put the rose back on. Someone must have done this before?

Thanks as always for the useful advice.

 

[Feltwell]

I doubt it's impossible, but the chances of breaking the rose whilst getting it off are quite high I'd say and I don't see any reason to try to remove it anyway. If the structure of the ceiling is OK, i.e. the original plaster is still firmly attached to the laths which are in turn still attached to the joists, then there's certainly no need to board. Even if a section was coming away you can usually re-attach it carefully to the joists using screws and washers, burying them into the plaster and filling afterwards.

Have you tried a wallpaper steamer on the artex, if you say it's coming away anyway? If you skim over then obviously whatever artex is left needs to be firmly attached. If the artex is of the "spiky" variety then knock the high spots off with a trowel before skimming.

One word of caution though - old Artex can contain Asbestos. Not the really nasty variety, but it's still advised not to disturb it if you can help it (search on HSE website for more advice). If you do need to scrape dodgy areas off, knock high spots off or steam strip it then make sure you wear the right grade of mask at least (not just any old dust mask), follow HSE advice for cleaning up afterwards and whatever you do DO NOT sand it under any circumstances.

Much as it pains me to say it, if the Artex is firmly attached probably the best route is to PVA it and then skim over with gypsum plaster, rather than disturbing it. If you're careful you can usually skim up to ceiling roses OK. Breathability doesn't matter for ceilings. If you wanted a lime finish (but I'm guessing from your earlier posts that you're not too fussed) then Mike Wye sells a primer you can paint on prior to skimming with lime.

Artex is the work of the devil.

 

[AMc]

Have you tried a wallpaper steamer on the artex, if you say it's coming away anyway? If you skim over then obviously whatever artex is left needs to be firmly attached. If the artex is of the "spiky" variety then knock the high spots off with a trowel before skimming.

I used a steamer to remove lining paper over mostly lime plaster which worked well but a couple of inattentive moments also popped off some gypsm skim that was poorly adhered. Good gently and pay attention to how wet your making the surface aiming for just enough to loosen the finish rather than sopping wet!

 

[jungle_jim01]

Thanks for all the advice. The walls aren't damp and the plaster i've removed was patchy some lime and some cement. I think i'll stick to original plan of skimming the artex, but will chip off the largest lumps.