What to do with mesh in the ceiling when removing kitchen soffit?

Zaa33532155
by Zaa33532155

We are removing the soffit from our newly purchased 1958 ranch and have encountered mesh bead at the ceiling and along the back wall. What should we do with the mesh so that we can put up new drywall, before hanging cabinets?

Corner bead mesh?

  4 answers
  • Beth Beth on Aug 10, 2018

    STOP! Have you had your ceiling looked at by professionals to make sure you do not have asbestos?! Homes before 1978 were built using it and you can not disturb it. Do not pull up what looks like linoleum flooring or attic insulation or this "mesh" you speak of without making sure it isn't asbestos. Please.

  • William William on Aug 11, 2018

    The mesh was used as a base for plaster instead of lath like in the old days. Also asbestos was used as a binder rather than horse hair. Definitely have the plaster checked for asbestos. Do not disturb it anymore. Homecenters have asbestos test kits you can buy. You may need to have the air checked for any asbestos fibers. Hopefully there is no asbestos or you may have opened Pandora's box.

  • Beth Beth on Aug 17, 2018

    Jan, I hope you will take me and William seriously about this. Asbestos fibers are so tiny you can't see them, and you breathe them in and they get in your lungs and cause cancer. Note I did not say "MAY cause cancer."

    • Jan Marie Jan Marie on Sep 10, 2018

      My credentials are a journeyman's license and a contractor's license. I also have a degree as a histology technician so I have spent plenty of time looking through a microscope looking at tiny things. She asked about the wire mesh so I answered her question about the wire mesh. I have my lungs and blood work done every year. Pretty soon any house built before 1978 will be unsaleable because people go off the deep end. They can spray the exposed plaster with water and then proceed with adding their drywall. Wear a respirator and googles. Wear a disposable Tyvek suit and keep hair covered.

  • Zaa33532155 Zaa33532155 on Aug 17, 2018

    Clip the mesh with snips, cover with new drywall and plaster. Done.