You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I could do with improving the venting/airflow in our bathroom, as there's a bit of a deadspot in one corner, conveniently by a cold outside wall, so that wall gets a lot of condensation. The existing vent is on the diagonally-opposite corner.
I'm thinking of sticking an extra ceiling vent in at that corner and ducting it through to the existing inline fan that's in the loft (so the fan would now be sucking two vents, this seems to be fine from some googling).
What's the easiest/least messy way of cutting the hole in the ceiling?
What's the ceiling made of? Probably a multi-tool is your best bet, this kind of thing:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-emt300-qc-300w-electric-multi-tool-kit-230-240v/804PP
(Can't recommend that one specifically, though I do rate Erbaur tools. Mine is a cheap Parkside Lidl one...)
Big hole saw is probably the easiest to get a nice round circle and clean finish.
Beware any cabling above obviously.
Then 100mm Flexi duct plus tee piece and a nice white internal vent cover
If just plasterboard, a hole saw? Get a nice perfect circle to fit the circular vent.
NB Do it from the attic, that way you can avoid the joists...
If you start from underneath, you could end up with a joist spanning your hole!
I can't recall what I used in the end, don't think it was a multi-tool, possibly a plaster board hand saw. The vent surround had a 1" ish flange which covers any imperfections in the hole itself, so I didn't have to be uber precise.
I use a hole saw on my drill. Obviously you need to avoid any supporting woodwork Gets a nice neat round hole. I cute a 30 mm hole first so I can check the location of the woodwork then take it out to 100mm with a hole saw
Edit - if you can get above it then a simple small hole where you want it centered then work from underneath to cut the hole - neater that way
Ah, off course, hole saw, ta
What’s the ceiling made of?
Very old lathe and plaster
I use a hole saw on my drill.
You need a drill with a clutch for anything over 3" as if it jams the drill can break your wrists (or in my case smack my knuckles at 600 rpm leaving some nice bruising).
Very old lathe and plaster
Ah, off course, hole saw, ta
Definitely want a drill with a clutch! Lots to catch the hole saw blade in an old ceiling and with a 5 or 6" hole saw, it won't have much torque, so can catch easily.
3" soffit vent hole saw in pine timber..
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/8091/8423961808_ae5126336d.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/8091/8423961808_ae5126336d.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/dQp1mQ ]Ouch. Drill caught using holesaw and whipped out my hand at 300rpm![/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
Very old lathe and plaster
Ooh, fun. I have plenty recent experience with these. Hopefully you won't start drilling and then 2 seconds later be surrounded by a deluge of dust and soot while half the ceiling falls around your ears 🤣
Hole saw. If its old lathe and plaster, depending on its condition you may end up with big chunks coming off. I'd try and pin a rubble sack over the place I would cut the hole and then do it from in the loft. The idea being to try and contain as much of the mess as possible. Otherwise it'll be a big clean up job
I'd probably cover over the old vent and just use the new one. unless you have a really good inline adding extra ducting and vents could make it not work very well
Ooh, fun. I have plenty recent experience with these. Hopefully you won’t start drilling and then 2 seconds later be surrounded by a deluge of dust and soot while half the ceiling falls around your ears 🤣
Oh, you will! Hateful stuff.
Others have already said it but a big hole saw generates a load of torque when moving slowly and WILL hurt you badly if you’re not prepared and use the wrong drill.
Very old lathe and plaster
Old lath and plaster ceilings have an unfortunate habit of occasionally failing unexpectedly and all at once when they’re disturbed.
A bit comes loose, which was holding up a bit that was loose, which was holding up a bit that was loose…..
If it’s a small bathroom, i’d plate the ceiling in plasterboard first then cut the hole.
I cute a 30 mm hole first
if you do this in the correct place, your larger hole won't be able to use a pilot bit to anchor its position, making it a ballache to keep straight.
I'd drill down from the loft with the holesaw until the pilot bit is poking out below (so probably before the holesaw has even touched the plasterboard, but you'll know the position is good) then cut up from below as the edge of the hole will be neater
true - It was plasterboard I was cutting which is a lot easier
This sounds like its one of my 'quick' diy jobs, which quickly escalate from a couple of hours work to several days of unintended other 'stuff' that needs sorting
May as well check the wiring while your up there, and update if old 🙂
This sounds like its one of my ‘quick’ diy jobs, which quickly escalate from a couple of hours work to several days of unintended other ‘stuff’ that needs sorting
Yeah, this is becoming a concern...
With any sort of household drilling into plaster, I'd usually ask my glamourous assistant to just hold the pointy end of the vacuum cleaner crevice tool up near the drill; that stops 90% of the dust flying around. But with old lath and plaster, as others have said, all bets are off.
This sounds like its one of my ‘quick’ diy jobs, which quickly escalate from a couple of hours work to several days of unintended other ‘stuff’ that needs sorting
That feels familiar.
Me: Right, couple of holes for this new radiator.
Wall: ...
Me: *drills
Wall: *bodge job over-plaster, far too thick and unstable says hi, most of wall falls to floor.
Me. F***!
The plasterer three doors down loves me.
Very old lathe and plaster
I've recently cut a large hole in the hallway ceiling through l&p (only about 80 years old). It was unpleasant and dirty. Wear a mask and gloves and eye protection.
I used a multitool and went carefully - but the hole was about 20cm across so I didn't have a suitably size holesaw. Not saw the end result would have been neat if I had ried one though, with the lathes being a bit, er, spindly and generally prone to bouncing around!
As already said, check from loft that you have clearance from beams etc. You should also be able to ee the state of the l&p from up there to make an informed descision.
If you're using a hole saw then take it easy and use a vacuum you dont care about too much to try and cut down on the mess.
If you want to borrow a multitool, give me a shout.
Si
3″ soffit vent hole saw in pine timber.. Drill caught using holesaw and whipped out my hand at 300rpm
Drills that have a 2nd handle on them are good to own.
Ive a number of cordless drills, but when needing something with a large bit, or where theres the possibility of it catching i use my percussion drill. Stanley fatmax. the front handle make a big difference.
Other uses are with a wire brush or wire disc wheel, where it wants to kick off the job, the handle gives far more control.
The right tool for the right job 😉
I've got a similar looking drill labelled Dewalt. The 2nd handle on mine is as shown...but it clamps around plastic...last time I drilled a large dia. hole in a wall with it I ended up with a similar injury to Footflaps caused by the 2nd handle slipping down on to the chuck when the holesaw jammed.....My 15 year old son coming out with a well meaning 'ca va papa?' got a slightly less polite response I'm ashamed to say.
Anway, lath and plaster, I'd be trying a multi-tool first...whilst holding my breath...
I used one of these
https://www.diy.com/tools-equipment/hand-tools/saws.cat?Navigation+type=Plasterboard
and a junior hacksaw when it looked like big sections would snap.
I wouldn't use a circular drill on lathe and plaster, could just rip big chunks out if it bites. Could work ok but could go very wrong