Closet remodling Help

[bazetrec]

I'm in the process of remodling a small closet in my room.

The problem was the 90+ year old plaster was falling apart without the help of horrible looking repair attempts by my grandfather.

Now I'm not real keen on remodling but the smallness uped my confidence in myself to handle, what I think to be, an easy drywalling process.

After removing all of the nasty plaster (and left with one huge mess of dust and debrie) all that can be seen is an ugly wall of old old slats.

My questions are as follows:

-Should I remove or keep these slats and or replace them?
-Is it possible to drywall brick? And any tips to, if so, or any other suggestings in covering up the brick wall I found in removing the plaster.

*And if any of my terminology is wrong, I would appreciate the corrections...nothing like trying to talk about something without knowing what you are talking about.*

[mrcaptainbob]

I'd bet those slats you're talking about are what's called 'lath'. As in 'plaster lath'. They were used as a support for the wet plaster many years ago. The plaster would ooz between the slats and kind of bunch up behind them to form a strong grip. Take them down. Not needed for drywall. As for drywalling over brick, yep, it can be done quite easily. Apply furring strips (2x2's) to the brick every 24" to mimic 2x4 studs. Use a utility knife to score the drywall and crack it. Use drywall screws to attach it. Get a nice 'How-To' book from a box store like Home Depot or Lowes and follow what they have to say about 'mudding' the joints. Get joint tape and joint system compound and two sizes of trowels as suggested in your book. You should be able to get a nice enough finish that sanding could be done with a dry sponge! Good luck and please...let us know how it turned out!

[Cindy B]

i have another suggestion. You leave the lathe up and use tongue and groove cedar in place of dry wall. It might be more expensive but not more work. Plus when you get done you will have a cedar lined closet. When I did my closet I put lathe strip over the existing dry wall. then put up the cedar. You can buy the cedar at Lowes or Home Depot. Good luck

Cindy B