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Our wood frame home was hit by a trash truck last year. In the course of repair estimates, we find that we have to update all or part of the original wiring (from 1940). To do so will require that we knock holes in the walls to locate the wire, get it out and rewire. Some of the walls are lathe and plaster and others are wallboard. Should we just take down what little lathe and plaster will remain and replace with wallboard? My husband and brother in-law will be re-doing the walls after the electrical contractor has finished. Any ideas?
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If alot of the wall will have to be tore into to find the wiring, then it may be alot easier to patch up by just using drywall instead of trying to patch up the plaster. Removing the lathe and plaster wall is a major job, really dusty and dirty work but still may be easier in the long run. One advantage, if this is an outside wall, is that you can insulate it if there's none there now. After the lathe is down and the electrician has done his work, then install bat insulation between the studs, and if you're in a cooler climate, make sure you either install paper faced insulation or a vapor barrier over unfaced insulation. Then install your drywall over top of that.
The studs may not be 16" on center in older homes and nailer studs may have to be added so the drywall fits on the walls. You may also need to buy some drywall cardboard shims to staple to the stud faces in order to bring them all out level. Plaster on the lathe was not always the same thinkness as drywall is.
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