Pillowing ceiling question

[Hayleypea]

We are looking to buy a Clay Lump cottage built in 1900-1929 in Norfolk. The ceilings look like this. Upstairs are more obvious than downstairs. Is it pillowing? Do they need replacing? I am a novice so please do throw any advice at me.

Thanks!

 

[Stevers]

I'm getting a heavily modernised vibe from the photos. That must be 'Artex' and the 'panelling' looks more like modern plasterboard - so perhaps they've already been replaced.

 

[Hayleypea]

I'm getting a heavily modernised vibe from the photos. That must be 'Artex' and the 'panelling' looks more like modern plasterboard - so perhaps they've already been replaced.

Thanks! Is it normal for plasterboard to show through with those squares? I took one look at them and thought they looked unstable - but know nothing about ceilings!

 

[Stevers]

Is it normal for plasterboard to show through with those squares?

Perhaps not so much unstable as poorly done. Not necessarily plasterboard either, there are other wood based sheet materials that have been used in the past (and currently), although it might be a bit of a stretch to find Artex on them.

 

[mardinor]

If you haven't already, search online for a postal kit to test the artex for asbestos. About £50. And don't drill into it or sand it until confirmed clear.
Nothing to panic about, but most artex will contain it, which means a plasterer is more likely to overboard than rip down what you have.

 

[Glenn586]

Strange to see the joins running through as rectangles. It's normal practice to stagger plasterboard like brick bond. Also strange to see the un-supported centre of the panels bellying upwards. Newtons law of gravity would suggest the opposite would happen. My guess is that these are not plasterboards.

 

[Hayleypea]

Strange to see the joins running through as rectangles. It's normal practice to stagger plasterboard like brick bond. Also strange to see the un-supported centre of the panels bellying upwards. Newtons law of gravity would suggest the opposite would happen. My guess is that these are not plasterboards.

Interesting. What could it be?

 

[Hayleypea]

If you haven't already, search online for a postal kit to test the artex for asbestos. About £50. And don't drill into it or sand it until confirmed clear.
Nothing to panic about, but most artex will contain it, which means a plasterer is more likely to overboard than rip down what you have.

Thank you. Will order a testing kit.

 

[paulc]

My guess is that these are not plasterboards.

A quick look at the back of them (from inside the loft ?) should tell if it is plasterboard. Assuming that the old ceiling had been removed first. If not. drill a small hole somewhere inconspicuous.

 

[Gothichome]

Looks like a sh!tty plaster board and spackle repair. The taping and mudding is nothing to be proud of either.

 

[Hayleypea]

Thanks for your advice everyone, much appreciated.

 

[malcolm]

If the ceiling was replaced in the 1970s it might well be a thin wood fibre board which is much softer than plasterboard and can't be plastered with any success. I've been replacing it when I find it.

 

[Cubist]

A simple test, if you can't get into the loft space, in each of those rooms would be to remove the ceiling rose above the lights to examine the depth and nature of the materials above. If you have one this would also be a good point of access for a cheap borescope.