Over the last 8 years of carrying out plaster surveys, you would think that we would have found that the most common cause of all ornamental ceiling damage was water ingress. Whilst this is true in many instances very close runners up are over cleaning the back of laths, despite asbestos air tests showing no danger, and the insertion of ill-considered walkways. These walkways often rest on timbers which are supporting the ceilings and cause deflection and failure or worst still cut through or damage ceiling supports or plaster wads when they are inserted.

Water Damage

Inserted safety walkways threatening the safety of ceilings below

Over-cleaned ceiling backs with plaster nibs broken and lost

Distress caused by over cleaning and walkway insertion