Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: cutting lath and plaster wall

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Wallboard/Veneer Plaster
Remote Name: 207.82.209.53
Date: 04 Jan 2001
Time: 08:50 PM

Comments

If you are removing old lath and plaster from an existing wall, you can use a Skilsaw with a masonry or diamond blade to make a clean cut. The lath is pretty thin and will cut easily.

If possible, try to identify where the studs are and cut along the inner edge of the stud such that the existing lath and plaster remains on the stud. You might try a stud finder or drill some pilot holes to locate the studs. Be careful not to drill or saw through electrical wiring, so keep the depth of any penetrations to an inch or less.

When attaching the sheet rock, you'll have to add a new stud alongside the old stud to provide a new nailing surface. Try to use a kiln dried stud so it doesn't shrink after nailing it in place.

Measure the thickness of the existing lath and plaster (may be approximately 3/4") and determine how thick the sheetrock needs to be to match. If it's in a bathroom, you could also use greenboard. Sheetrock is available in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" and even 3/4" thicknesses. Pick the right combination to match.

Then, after cutting the sheetrock to size, screw it in, tape and fill as you normally would. You will have to feather the old and new joint to provide a seamless interface. Using a bright light, skim along the wall surface looking for shadows -- this will show you any high spots or low spots that need filling or sanding.

Then prime and paint as normal.

To make sure the lath and plaster doesn't fall off as you're cutting, you might use a couple of screws to anchor the edge of the existing lath and plaster to the stud just as an extra precaution. Then, you can fill these holes when you add the sheetrock.

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