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The two rooms that are most likely to benefit from gutting are kitchens and bathrooms: one because the wiring and plumbing runs will probably need major work, and the baths because of decades of water damage. It's tedious and strenuous, but definitely possible. In total, youre looking at around 4. Removing plaster and replacing it with drywall gets expensive. This method was favored for its fire resistance, insulation properties, and soundproofing capabilities, advantages that were significant in an era before modern building materials were available. Should I Repair or Replace Plaster Walls It depends. It's amazing what you can do to fix plaster, and if the lath is intact, replastering is not out of the question. Lath and plaster were widely used for interior walls and ceilings, especially between the 1700s and the mid-20th century. Cracks can be filled, loose areas re-attached with "plaster washers", and missing areas can be replaced. Many renovators and owners of older properties will discover lath and plaster ceilings when they come to remodel and decorate their homes. If the nail encounters a piece of lath, the pilot hole will let it pass without damage. Gently tap the hook and nail into the wall. Hold the hook as a guide to drill your pilot hole (s) at the correct angle. Take a survey of the walls and ceilings - tap on them, and push on them and map where they are "squishy" or sound hollow (plaster separated from lath). Attach a 1/16-in drill bit to create a pilot hole for the hook’s nail. Get several estimates for "if gutted" versus "make holes", ask owners of fixed-up homes in your area who they used, and take your time. Hoopersjudge - You will have to be REALLY certain what your plans are for each room. And if you remove 'too much" old material, it becomes a remodel and not a repair. If you get hit with lead or asbestos remediation because of removing large quantities of old materials, it quickly gets really expensive to gut. Ideally, Id like to restore the plaster walls if possible. The lath and plaster was completely removed from some of the lower sections to run the plumbing, which gives us a view of the plaster cross section. Then (10-15 years ago) new drywall was put up over this surface.
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When you add up the cost of demolition and rubble hauling, and then the drywall and finishing costs you don't save much if anything. The tiles were removed, leaving the adhesive on the wall. First, you’ll repair the lath and then patch the hole. Bill - Yes, fishing wires takes more time than stapling them to bare studs, but it's not going to be so expensive that it's more cost effective to gut the place. If you’re dealing with damaged lath and plaster wallsfor example gaping holes in the wall because of electrical workhere are techniques you can use to repair them.