<p>In this episode of <em>Talking Conservation</em>, we’re joined by expert heritage plasterer <strong>Sean Wheatley</strong>, who brings decades of hands-on experience in the restoration of traditional ceilings and plasterwork in older homes. From sagging lath and plaster to hairline cracks and inappropriate repairs, Sean explains what to look out for, how to fix it — andwhen to call in a pro.</p><p>🧱 We discuss:</p><p>●      What materials were historicallyused for ceilings (and why it matters)</p><p>●      How to tell if a ceiling needsrepair or replacement</p><p>●      Spotting signs of serious failurevs. cosmetic issues</p><p>●      Why modern materials often makethings worse</p><p>●      DIY options vs. when to leave itto specialists</p><p>●      The pros and cons of differentlime plasters for interiors</p><p>●      Myths around steamers, fillers,and patching old ceilings</p><p>●      What goes wrong when corners arecut</p><p>●      What <em>not</em> to do with cracked or sagging ceilings</p><p>🛠️ Whether you&#39;re dealing with acrumbling Victorian ceiling or just curious about traditional internalfinishes, this is packed with insight.</p><p>🔗 <strong>Mentioned in this episode:</strong><br><strong></strong>👉 <a href="https://www.expertible.com/">Expertible– 1:1 video consultations with independent heritage professionals<br></a>👉 <a href="https://beconservation.com/about/">Stephen Boniface Associates – Chartered building surveyorand conservation specialist</a></p><p>📌 <strong>Who is this for?</strong><br><strong></strong>Homeowners of older UK properties, tradespeople working with traditionalbuildings, and anyone interested in practical conservation.</p><p>🎬 <strong>Don’t miss our full lime mortar series</strong> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxfra7EOt7Rue3Uq4zDLajljkNee29pkz">Watch the full playlist here</a><u></u></p><p><u>Contents</u></p><p>00:00             Introduction</p><p>00:54             Sean’s background</p><p>04:07             Worshipful Company of Plaisterers</p><p>05:45             Apprentices</p><p>07:13             Working at distance from home</p><p>08:30             Ceiling constructions and laths</p><p>11:53             Choosing riven or sawn laths</p><p>13:35             Application and fixing of laths</p><p>18:21             Gaps between laths</p><p>19:49             Reed as a backing</p><p>23:03             Board backings</p><p>24:41             Earth plasters</p><p>27:07             Identifying ceiling constructions</p><p>28:19             Dealing with cracks and discussionabout hair</p><p>33:17             Patching ceilings</p><p>34:13             Checking the soundness of a ceiling</p><p>37:10             Repairing lath and plaster</p><p>41:41             Causes of ceiling failures</p><p>46:28             Lime plaster mixes</p><p>50:19             Hot lime mortar mixes</p><p>51:26             Hydrated (bagged) lime</p><p>53:04             Using plasterboard</p><p>55:29             Overboarding a ceiling</p><p>58:27             Concluding comments</p><p>59:18             Outro</p><p><br></p>