Filling holes in ceiling (expanding foam = lol?)

OCdude · 16 Jan 2010 at 09:33

Okay so my ceilings look a bit like Swiss cheese at the moment, after having a bit of a nightmare installing some surround sound speakers!

Anyway, i've got a few chunky holes that need filling and I was wondering what the best way to fill them would be!

Someone suggested first plugging the holes with kitchen roll/newspaper that's been soaked in a polyfilla/water mix, then to fill over it. I'm assuming that's the usual way?

I was thinking of being a bit lazy (seeing as i've got loads of holes) and using some of that expanding foam stuff, to fill in the worst of it, then polyfilla to smooth over the last bit?

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

OCdude · 16 Jan 2010 at 09:36

Clum said:
I understand if you just leave them, then cats will appear.

I don't want them seeing what I get up to tbh

OCdude · 16 Jan 2010 at 10:01

Oh? How so? Just messy?

I should probably mention that some of these holes are about an inch in diameter....... if that makes any difference!

OCdude · 16 Jan 2010 at 10:19

wonko said:
I'd avoid expanding foam - it's evil stuff and getting the right amount in so that it expands "just enough" would be a nightmare. How about sticking something behind the plasterboard, then stick a bit of plasterboard to that to fill the majority of the hole, then fine surface polyfiller to make good. Something like:
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/repair.htm

Hmm I thought about that for filling the holes in the walls, but the gap between the ceiling and the "exit hole" in the loft - is about half a metre! (I had to use a pretty huuuuuuge drill bit haha)

OCdude · 17 Jan 2010 at 11:59

Kawolski said:
This is always going to be your best option.

A few things first:
Not sure what you're getting on about with that half metre gap thing?
As you have mentioned that the holes go into to the loft, rather than putting the extra board with contact adhesive (as in the link) through the hole, why not simply fix a piece of board from the other side of the hole.
Having done that, that still leave you with the matter of making good.
Guessing that you ceiling has either 10 or 12 mm board already on it, that'd be a 10 or 12 mm gap you need to fill.
Personally, I'd suggest a multifinish plaster for this job (plasterer/painter and decorator for 20 years), polyfilla is ok but tends to bag if applied in large amounts over large areas.
Once applied you can 'play' with it till you are happy with the finish.

Like to see pics to give a better assessment.

Edit:
Disown the person that suggested the kitchen roll/newspaper approach!

Cool, i'll give it a go and try to get pics!

As for the actual thickness of the ceiling, it's hard to describe, but basically there's plasterboard, then the actual ceiling. So when you drill down "from" the loft, you first go through the floor board in the loft, then you have a gap of about 10" or so, then you hit the actual ceiling. So, using the method of covering it with another bit of board, then smoothing it over with plaster, won't really work...... unless i make a massive hole in the top layer, so I can get access to the 'ceiling' layer lol

Oh and also, with some of these holes I've had to drill right next to joists (not through them!) so that will also make it fiddly.