A cracked, sagging or patched ceiling makes a whole room look tired. It is often the first thing you see when you lie on the sofa or in bed. RCR Connections Ltd is Birmingham based, covering the whole of the Midlands. Ceilings are a big part of our plastering work. We plaster cracked ceilings, over-board old lath and plaster, fix holes after leaks, and make good after electricians and plumbers.
For a free quote: WhatsApp me on 07453 614095 or message the page. Send pictures or videos via WhatsApp for a quick response, a free quote and advice. A few photos of the ceiling, the rough size of the room and your postcode are enough to get started.
Plasterers by trade
I’m David, a plasterer and renderer by trade, and I still work on the tools. Across the team there are 62 years of combined experience. Ceilings are harder than walls. You work over your head, the light from the windows shows every ripple, and a ceiling that is not fixed well can come down. So we take the time to find out what the ceiling is made of, and why it has failed, before we decide how to fix it.
Common ceiling problems we fix
- Cracks that keep coming back after filling, often along old board joints that were never taped.
- Sagging or bowing in old lath and plaster ceilings, where the plaster has lost its grip on the wooden laths.
- Water damage from a leaking bath, shower, tank or roof: stains, soft patches or a part that has come down.
- Holes and patches left after new lights, rewiring, pipe work or a loft hatch being moved.
- Nail pops and visible joints on plasterboard ceilings, where the screws or nails show through as small bumps.
- Blown plaster that sounds hollow when you tap it. Our blown plaster guide explains the signs.
- Textured ceilings such as Artex that you want smooth. We have a separate page on Artex covering in Birmingham.
Signs your ceiling needs work
Look out for these:
- A crack that runs in a straight line across the room. This is often a board joint.
- A crack that is wider at one end, or one that grows over a few months.
- A dip or bulge in the middle of the room. Shine a torch along the ceiling to see it.
- Dust or small bits of plaster on the floor or on top of the light shade.
- A brown or yellow stain under a bathroom or tank.
- A soft spot that gives when you press it gently with a broom handle.
If a ceiling is bowing a lot, or bits are falling, keep people out of the room and send us photos straight away.
Repair, plaster, over-board or replace?
There are four main ways to deal with a ceiling. The right one depends on what is up there. Part of my job on a visit is to tell you plainly which one you need.
- Patch repair. For a small hole or a damaged area in an otherwise sound ceiling. The bad part is cut back to a neat shape, a piece of new plasterboard is fixed in, and it is plastered to blend with the rest.
- Plaster the whole ceiling. For a ceiling that is still well fixed but cracked, patchy or rough. Cracks are taped, the surface is primed, and a thin new coat of finish plaster goes over the whole ceiling. See our page on plastering and re-plastering walls and ceilings for more.
- Over-board and plaster. For old lath and plaster ceilings that are cracked or a little saggy but not falling down. New plasterboard is screwed through into the joists, the joints are taped, and the whole ceiling is plastered. This avoids pulling the old ceiling down.
- Take down and replace. For ceilings that are badly sagging, soaked or already coming down. The old ceiling is removed, the joists are checked, and new plasterboard is fixed and plastered. It is messier, but sometimes it is the only safe choice.
Old lath and plaster ceilings
Lots of homes in Birmingham built before the 1930s still have lath and plaster ceilings. Thin strips of wood, known as laths, are nailed to the joists. Lime plaster was pushed through the gaps so it hooks on behind. Over many years, the hooks break, the nails rust and the plaster starts to drop.
A lath and plaster ceiling can last a very long time if it is left alone. Trouble starts when it gets wet, when someone walks in the loft, or when new lights are cut in. We check how much of the ceiling is still holding. If most of it is firm, over-boarding is often the cleanest fix. If large parts are loose, it is safer to take it down.
Taking one down is dusty work. We seal the room, sheet the floor and bag the waste as we go.
Ceilings after a leak
Water and plaster do not mix. After a leak, the first thing is to fix the cause and let the ceiling dry out fully. If you paint or plaster over a damp patch, the stain comes back and the plaster can stay soft. Where the plasterboard has gone soft or crumbly, that part is cut out and replaced.
If you are claiming on your insurance, take photos before anything is removed. I can give you a written quote for the repair to send to your insurer.
How we repair and plaster a ceiling
- Protection. Floors are sheeted, furniture is moved out or covered, and the doorway is taped off. Light fittings are taken down or loosened by a qualified person where needed.
- Checking the ceiling. We check for loose areas, look at how the ceiling is fixed, and find the joists.
- Repairs and boarding. Damaged parts are cut back and new board is screwed in. Loose boards are fixed back. For over-boarding, new plasterboard goes up across the whole ceiling, using a board lifter in bigger rooms.
- Taping the joints. Every joint gets scrim tape. This is the step that stops cracks coming back along the board lines.
- Priming. Old plaster and painted ceilings get a bonding primer so the new plaster grips.
- Plastering. Two thin coats of finish plaster, then trowelled up as it sets for a smooth, flat surface.
- Clean up. Edges are cut in neatly at the walls and coving, and the room is left swept.
How long does it take?
Most ceilings in a normal house take one day to plaster. A patch repair can be done in a morning. Over-boarding a ceiling and plastering it often takes one to two days. Taking down an old ceiling and putting up a new one can take two to three days for one room.
Coving and finishing touches
We can fit new plaster coving, repair damaged coving, or take off old coving if you want a clean, modern line. If only part of the ceiling has been repaired, we will talk about whether to plaster the whole ceiling so the finish matches. A patch can show in side light even when it is done well.
After we finish: drying and painting
New plaster is dark pink when it goes on. It turns light pink as it dries. Most ceilings are dry in about a week, but it can take longer in cold or damp weather. Keep the room warm and open a window when you can.
Once it is an even light pink, give it a mist coat first. This is a thin coat of watered-down white emulsion that soaks in and seals the plaster. Then paint as normal. Our guide on how long plaster takes to dry before painting explains more.
What goes into your quote
Every ceiling is different, so we quote each job on its own. The main things that change the quote are:
- The size of the room and the height of the ceiling. Stairwells need a work platform.
- Whether it is a patch, a full plaster, over-boarding or a full replacement.
- How much prep there is, such as old coving, loose areas or textured coatings.
- Whether there is old ceiling to take down and waste to take away.
- How much furniture needs moving, and how easy access and parking are.
Quotes are free and written, so you know what is included before any work starts.
We also do rendering, including K-Rend monocouche and silicone. See our rendering in Birmingham page if the outside of your house needs work too.
Where we work
We are Birmingham based, covering the whole of the Midlands. Ceiling jobs often take us across Birmingham and out to Sutton Coldfield, Shirley, Harborne, Moseley, Kings Heath, Coventry, Tamworth, Lichfield, Wolverhampton and Worcester. Local pages: plastering in Birmingham · plastering in Sutton Coldfield · plasterer in Shirley · plastering in Coventry · plastering in Tamworth · plastering in Harborne. See every town on our areas we cover page.
Related services: plastering walls and ceilings · plasterboarding and dry lining · Artex covering · all services · plastering and rendering services.
Ceiling questions
Do you do ceiling plastering in Birmingham?
Yes. RCR Connections Ltd is Birmingham based, covering the whole of the Midlands. We repair, plaster, over-board and replace ceilings.
Can you plaster over an old lath and plaster ceiling?
Often, yes. If the ceiling is cracked or a little saggy but still holding, we over-board it with new plasterboard screwed into the joists, then plaster it. If it is badly sagging or coming down, it is safer to take it down and replace it.
Why does my ceiling keep cracking in the same place?
Most often the crack runs along a plasterboard joint that was never taped, or the board is not fixed well enough. Filling alone will not stop it. The joint needs fixing, taping and plastering.
Can you repair just part of a ceiling?
Yes. A damaged part can be cut out, boarded and plastered. A repair can sometimes show in strong side light, so for the best finish many people choose to plaster the whole ceiling.
My ceiling has a water stain. Can you just paint over it?
Not until the leak is fixed and the ceiling has dried out. If the plaster or board is soft, that part needs replacing. A stain-blocking primer helps on a dry, sound ceiling.
How long does a ceiling take?
Most ceilings take one day to plaster. Over-boarding takes one to two days. Taking down and replacing a ceiling can take two to three days for one room.
Do I need to move out while you do the ceiling?
No. Most people stay at home. We need the room empty or the furniture covered, and we keep the dust and mess to that room as far as we can.
When can I paint my new ceiling?
Wait until the plaster is an even light pink, often about a week. Then put on a mist coat of watered-down white emulsion before you paint as normal.
What are your working hours?
Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm, Saturday 7am to 1pm. We are closed on Sundays.
How do I get a quote?
WhatsApp me on 07453 614095 or message the page. Send pictures or videos of the ceiling, the rough room size and your postcode.
More services: Plastering repairs · Plastering and coving · Plastering extensions and lofts.
Get a free ceiling quote
WhatsApp me on 07453 614095 or message the page.
Send pictures or videos via WhatsApp for a quick response, a free quote and advice. Show us the ceiling, tell us the rough room size and your postcode.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm, Saturday 7am to 1pm, Sunday closed.
See finished work on our projects page, or use our contact page. RCR Connections Ltd, Birmingham based, covering the whole of the Midlands.