Fixing Plain Face Slabs to Ceilings

There are different methods to fix plain slabs to ceilings. The method you use will depend on the ceiling. Fixing Timber to a Ceiling. Firstly, centre lines need to be set out and you need to make where the plain face slabs are going to be placed. To work out where the first line of the slabs will need to be fixed, a string line will need to be fixed in position. The slabs need to be supported while they are being fixed so dead men are used. The slabs can then be manoeuvred to the line and a straight edge will need to be used to check the face. The first slab can then be fixed into position through the front of the slab into the timber joist. The second slab can then be fixed in the same way. Fixing to a suspended Ceiling. To fix to a suspended ceiling, centre lines need to be set out and you need to mark where the slabs are going to go. A string line can be used to go through the first line of the slabs. Holes need to be drilled diagonally at both sides of the lath at about 75 mm so that they line up with the fixing points on the grid. A long narrow cut should be made between the holes below the surface of the slabs. The first slab will need to be supported when it is in the correct position by dead men. 18 SWG needs to be passed through the slab and then they can be adjusted with top cutters to get the slab level. From behind the cast, the slab needs to be wadded up and then the whole process needs to be repeated for the slabs in that line. The string has to be repositioned for the second line and the process repeated until the ceiling is finished. Finishing the Ceiling - Stopping in Canvas wads are soaked in plaster and a gauging trowel is used to lay it across the length of the rebate joint. A small tool and joint rule or a busk are used to finish off the joints. A plaster mix is used to fill in any holes. Mitring and Stopping in Plaster soaked strings of canvas should be put into the mitres and joints. Mitres need to be fully soaked in water, a small tool will then be used work a soft mix of plaster in to the mitre. Joint rules are used to go around the outline of the mould both side of the angle until the moulding sections have all been finished. A tool brush is used to help finish the mitres. Plaster mixes that are fresh will be used until you get the required finish. Make sure you let the plaster you have put on harden a little, do not keep working on the same mitre constantly. If you keep working on the same mitre, the plaster you have applied will end up being removed. Make sure that you always stop in the ceiling and walls. When finishing, a tool brush helps to stop old plaster soaking up the water in the new plaster. The ceilings should be flat when they are finished.