Mr Skill

Cornice (or coving as it is also called) is the stuff that neatens up the gap between the ceiling and the walls. While originally put in place to stop the dust from falling through and to seal out cold as well, these days coving is an interior decorators delight in terms of the exciting modern designs available.

Coving can work loose or come away slightly leaving an ugly shadow line for a variety of reasons. Causes include a job not done well in the first place, slight ceiling movement beneath a poorly braced roof, somebody walking clumsily in the roof space, and even a foot pushed through by mistake. The right trade to call in is a plasterer. If the job is small enough you could attempt to do it yourself. If unsure, avoid a disaster and get a plasterer quote from Mr-Skill.

The hardest past of fitting a new piece of cornice is getting the mitred corners right. This is because after you study the ceiling the temptation is to put the coving in the mitre box the wrong way round. We recommend you practice with a piece of scrap before attempting the real thing.

Attaching a piece of cornice is a whole lot easier. The material is usually light-weight and easily attached with a product like no more nails or silicone. If it keeps on falling off attach it temporarily with a few panel pins, or some pieces of strong tape. Re-attaching a heavy piece of coving is the plastering job London tradesmen know how to do best. May we suggest you leave it to the experts?

If you are comfortable standing on a ladder, then sealing the gap between the coving and the wall and ceiling could be well within your capabilities. Simply draw a bead of white all-purpose acrylic sealer along the joint and smooth off with a damp cloth. You could use a moistened finger too. Chances you might not even have to paint again.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But will you have the time to do the job? Save the hours for your favourite soccer team, watching soap operas on telly or visiting the pub. Find a plasterer instead on Mr-Skill.