Filling holes in the ceiling (what you have made)

gunark · 03-02-2009, 7:54 PM

Have any of you guys made a hole in the ceiling, like for a PJ - for the power or cables - and then, for what ever reason, had to later fill it back in? How did you do it so it was not noticeable? I understand polyfilla but surely the hole is 'straight through' to allow cables in so what's the secret. I ask as if I can do this on my rented place and get it back to good as new after, then I'll do this instead of the trunking on the ceiling.

Chars.

andy900uk · 03-02-2009, 8:09 PM

i would drill a 70mm hole out with a hole saw, slip a piece of battern into the hole so that it rests across the hole, then screw the battern in place through you ceiling, then cut a fresh piece of plasterboard using same hole cutter place this piece inthe hole ,screw to battern then fill up using easy fill witch sands up a treat. hope this makes sence
Andy

IanW · 03-02-2009, 8:12 PM

The trick to filling is to use the right stuff. Many fillers will set too hard and then cannot be sanded really smooth. I have found that for the perfect finishing touch you want something like this. If you have a large hole you will want to use a more normal general filler, and then once dry use finishing filler.

Also to help with large holes, start by stuffing newspaper into the hole so that you are only filling a small hole.

Best of luck.

Ian.

PS. I used to hate filling and always had cr&p finish, until a professional decorator introduced me to the Red Devil stuff!

IanW · 03-02-2009, 8:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy900uk

i would drill a 70mm hole out with a hole saw, slip a piece of battern into the hole so that it rests across the hole, then screw the battern in place through you ceiling, then cut a fresh piece of plasterboard using same hole cutter place this piece inthe hole ,screw to battern then fill up using easy fill witch sands up a treat. hope this makes sence
Andy

I would second this approach if you need to make large holes.

Ian.

dbeevers · 03-02-2009, 8:16 PM

if you can get to the ceiling from above stick a piece of thick card or plaster board over the hole then fill from below, sand and paint.
If you don't want to lift the floor again, insert a disc of thick card with a piece of string through the centre into the hole, centre it up and holding the string taught fill the hole a bit and wait for it to set. When set cut the string off and fill completely.

db

gunark · 03-02-2009, 10:02 PM

Excellent advice once again! May well do this then. Everyone wants that 'look, no wires!' look, so I'll do what I can to get to that and this'll help. Just need to get some discreet trunking for the walls and skirts. Or wireless rears - I've seen a Sammy thing that adds wireless to the rears, and as rears can take a little hit in fidelity I may use this. Now all I need is wireless HDMI to get going...