Bathroom ceiling : skim artex or ceiling panel?

[cooa99]

Hi, my bathroom is currently being redone at the moment by a fitter. My existing ceiling is Artexx and my thoughts was to have it skimmed. He said I would be better off using ceiling panel instead because no chance of it getting damaged with mould due to moisture. I then said well the current ceiling never had such issues in the last 20 yrs so why would that be a possibility after skimming. He said this is what he has seen happen lots of times but he failed to convince me. He has agreed to skim though .....

Its a small bathroom, about 1.7m x 2.5m.

So my question is whether or not such issues can arise after skimming and why?

Also are more bathrooms being fitted with ceiling panels? I have not seen one so keep assuming it just looks like white laminate on the ceiling instead of on the floor

Thanks

 

[Wayners]

Pack plenty of insulation over plasterboard in loft. Don't miss a spot.
This keeps the plasterboard warm and no condensation forms on the surface.

If you put your hand under the insulation at this tine of the year you can feel its warm

 

[cooa99]

He will be putting 4 led downlight in as well so no idea he can put insulation of the fire rated lights

 

[Wayners]

Yes you can cover lights with insulation.

20+ years ago insulation was removed above bathroom ceilings to allow for spotlights. The ceilings went black with mould in 6 weeks and I was getting called back. Then people started to use terracotta pots or expensive fire hoods to keep insulation away from lights.
My bathroom ceiling in picture. Not even bathroom paint just regular emulsion and last painted in 2008 Ish. I don't get any condensation on the ceiling because of the insulation above.

 

[cooa99]

So chances are that fitter is partially right about mould occurring, he just did not have a technical understanding why i.e. the space above may not adequately insulated .... assuming of course that the bathroom itself has good ventilation.

After he skims, how long before we can attempt to use the shower and how long before it can be painted? I would rather do the painting myself If its meant to be left for a while ...




Thanks

 

[drives]

Ventilation is key. We have two upstairs showers- one with no extractor fan, and one with a DMEV fan right above the cubicle. The one without gets minimal use but whenever we do use it in the winter, we get a fair bit of moisture on the ceiling even if we have the window open. The one with the DMEV fan is bone dry.

I'd definitely look at skimming rather than panels.

 

[cooa99]

He has now skimmed, though I am now left to finish the rest myself that is sand and paint. Not pleased about that considering he should have started the bathroom job with skimming so that its dry by the time he finishes tiling since I had already taken everything out and replaced the walls myself.

We use the bathroom for showers, so how can be make sure it stays dry enough for sanding and painting? should I try to put some sort of big covering above the shower area to divert steam away from the whole room? ideas welcomed please. Not sure we want to stay in a hotel again just to have a shower!

Other thing I am not pleased with are 2 lightings he placed above bath area. I assumed he will put them outside of that zone though rated IP65 but he had cut the holes by the time I got back home


Thanks

 

[cooa99]

Hi, sorry to drag this post up again.

I am now ready to paint the ceiling.

I was told I need to sand down the newly skimmed wall with 120 grit sandpaper. That seems a bit coarse to me and could end up with imperfections, should I use 180 grit instead or 120 will be fine?

I was then going to use Zinsser Gardz to prime the ceiling, should I be using 1 or 2 coats?

Thanks