Plaster Ceiling Demo Question

HitchC&L

I worked on a similar job this summer.

A valuable asset was a good sawzall with a demolition blade, hacked it up great and didnt dull or bend like most blades, we cut it up to where we could get it started. I dont know how yours is held up but once we got it started we just took what I called a "rock bar" (basically the same as the "shale bar" above) and pried it off the joists, it was a pain in the ass job but we got it done. Lot of hard work, lot of dusty, dirty, nasty crap, but its over now.

SNC

Forget the demo saw, thats ridiculous. May as well use tnt.
there is no easy way, you have a dirty messy job ahead of you.
sawsall, hammer, prybar, and flat shovel.

PA woodbutcher

My way is similar....I help cover the floor with cardboard and tarps and tell him...I'll be back in a while, pull it down. When I get back, the chitty job I give him is usually done.

I would try a digging pick....drive it into the ceiling and use the joist as the fulcrum

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Mitchell Const.

'Round deez here parts we call them maniac saws

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sk071077

yep...just a lot of labor no way around it. One trick I learned if you can work from above. Down here most places are 1 story with attic space. I crawl up ther with a sledge and drop it along thedge of the joist/truss and even kick downward. I was getting twice as much done as the guy working from the floor.

knucklehead

Ther ain't no easy way. Jump in there with both feet, you will figure it out. I did this last summer, and I always ended up with my straight claw framing hammer in my hand, hacking away.

buildstrong009

the job is risky...take out pieces one by one with the best tool you can think of...and save our head while doing it.

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Century Man

Thanks to MDshunk and GregDi I'm having flashbacks.

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rustyjames

I can't see someone running a gas saw overhead lasting for more than a minute or two; that's if they don't get hurt in the meantime. That's just not a practical way to demo a ceiling IMO.