Downlights slipping from ceiling?

[mAdMaCCA]

Hi, after having a new ensuite ceiling fitted, I had downlights installed (with chicken wire caging in the roof space to ensure sufficient ventilation around the fitting/bulbs and that the insulation couldn't fall back over the fitting at any time. Done sort of like a chimey so always clear right up to the felt etc).

All is working fine and looked great for the first 9-10 months, but then I guess the plaster finished drying out and now the holes must be a mil or two too big, cos the fittings seemed to have slipped and are no longer flush to the ceiling (nor will they stay flush when I push them back up).

I work in the building industry (though not involved in building in any way), and so have often come across this where the spark has then used some sort of sealant/silicon/no nails whatever around the rim of the fixing to hold it up to the ceiling.

Is this actually ok to do, and if so, what is probably best and safest?

If its not ok to do...what the heck DO I do?

Many thanks in advance ?:|

mAdMaCCa

 

[binky]

Plaster should have finished drying out long before that! Sounds like the hioles were slightly too large, but worth checking that nothing in attic is putting any weight on the fitting or cable and pushing down against the springs. If going the sealant route, you can get fire-rated sealants (intumescent) but would have thought no more nails or grip fill would be OK

 

[mAdMaCCA]

THNX, I can now get on with making it look good again

 

[stephenf8542]

I would make a frame out of thin ply with the hole the same size as the fittind so the spring clips attach to the wood not the plaster.If you use sealant you may damage you ceiling ifyou have to remove your lights and the fittings will need jammed upwhilst the sealant sets

 

[Apache]

what about a few circles of tape arround the fitting to increase it's girth slightly?

If you glue them up there then someone will hate you when a fitting fails and needs to be replaced and half the ceiling comes down?!

 

[Evans Electric]

Do what Stephen above says, a small piece of thin ply, hole to suit, you could cut a slot to save disconnecting fitting, then crawl into the utterly vile ,pain in the ass fibreglass and fit it above the hole. If its lath and plaster it may have crumbled , those springs are quite strong.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

what about a few circles of tape arround the fitting to increase it's girth slightly?

Now theres a phrase you don't hear very often....

:OBlushing

101 ways to increase your girth!

 

[Evans Electric]

Sounds like a good old Yorkshire term to me , Eeee look at the girth on that !

 

[Apache]

Sounds like a good old Yorkshire term to me , Eeee look at the girth on that !

"Aye lass, grand isn't it"

 

[green-hornet]

I would make a frame out of thin ply with the hole the same size as the fittind so the spring clips attach to the wood not the plaster.If you use sealant you may damage you ceiling ifyou have to remove your lights and the fittings will need jammed upwhilst the sealant sets

This is common practice on industrial and commercial installations very usefull for suspended ceilings, given the weight of some units its a must.

 

[Zeespark]

I used to have to cut plywood for the fittings that I wired at Heathrow Airport because of the weight of them, bloody heeavy things they were.

AndyGuiness Drink