Walls and Ceilings - soffit removed, HELP w/ repair needed

Hello all,

I am in the process of remodeling the kitchen. I have removed the soffit, and did not find any pipes, vents or heavy wiring, etc. My plan was originally to just re-drywall, and keep the soffit out competely. However, the drywall on the wall side is 7/8 inch with mesh sticking out of it. We cut away the mesh, and do not think we will have a problem with doing this part. The ceiling however is plastered so well(built in the 1950's), that I don't know if it could be leveled off with just putting drywall up, thus making a not so level ceiling. The alternatives are to stick up another soffit (which would totally suck & make the whole thing pointless) or remove the entire ceiling, which would obviously be quite extensive and expensive.

Anybody have any suggestions at all?

Thanks in advance.

Pete495


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If I understand you I think you should plaster the area where the soffit was. What is now at the ceiling where the soffit was? You can use lath and plaster to make it fit the existing plaster. Nothing fits plaster as well as plaster.

As a matter of acedemic curiousity, what kind of mesh stuck out of the drywall on the wall? Drywall that is 7/8" thick in houses is rare. i think maybe you have plaster on gypsum lath. That would explain the thickness. The age of the house would support that.

Can you show is a picture of what you have now?

You could also strip the ceiling with 1x4's, shim them down where needed, (if the ceiling has dips and swales) and screw them to the ceiling joists. Then you'd have something decent to screw drywall onto, and a new perfectly flat ceiling. (provided you know a good taper!) ;)

Thanks for your replies. Currently, where the old soffit was, the joists on the wall are exposed. There was no ceiling under the soffit when it was ripped down, except a flimsy cardboard material that probably goes the length. You are correct in that there are two different boards on the wall below where the soffit was. the board closest to the wall is a 5/16 board with a 1/2 inch plastered dry wall on top of that with the mesh in the dry wall. The ceiling is 3/8 inch plastered dry wall w/ the wire mesh. I'm not sure as to the type of mesh actually, but it is rather a pain in the ass.

My thought was to just replace the boards w/ the proper measurements if I can find them, and see what I can do to fill the cracks. I plan on using joint compound in between the cracks, and some dry wall tape to level it off, as well as sanding the boards down, and giving it many coats of paint. I am hoping this will be sufficient. Any suggestions will be well recieved however.

Thanks again.

pete495

I had a similar situation. In some plastered homes they used expanded metal in the corners, which I think you have encountered. I used standard cardboard drywall shims on the studs and joists to make the new drywall flush with the old plaster. Then tape and mud the joints between the drywall and the plaster. My job turned out fine.

Thanks. I bought boards to specific measurements, but I still think we will have use some shims. Thanks for the advice.

Pete495