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Estimating weight of plaster/lath demol.

WillieWonka | Posted in General Discussion on September 21, 2007 07:10am

Is there some kind of estimating formula for how much plaster and lath debris will weigh for a given sized room?

I’m about to demolish a room that is 12x12x8 and trying to figure out a cost for debris disposal. A 10yd container costs $365 and includes up to 2 ton of debris removal cost. Beyond that it’s $62/ton over. I’m just wondering if for that sized room I’ll be within the 2 ton limit. Plaster/lath is very heavy per bag load, I’d think it’d add up quick.

If at first you don’t succeed, try using a hammer next time…everything needs some extra persuasion from time to time.  -ME
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  1. User avater
    enduringcharm | Sep 21, 2007 07:23pm | #1

    I don't know the weight, but I do know there could be a LOT of plaster you don't know about yet.  I've taken apart walls built around the 1900s with as much as a foot of plaster at the base of the wall on the inside, which is the result of the excess falling through the lathe from both sides of the walls.  It sure FELT heavy coming out by the bucketload.

     

    John

    1. WillieWonka | Sep 21, 2007 07:46pm | #2

      Yeah that stuff is absolutely amazing. It has got to be one of the most heavy stuff ever. You wouldn't think for a minute it'd be thaat heavy,then you go to pick up a bucket or trashbag load and instant hernia. Makes it all the more laborious to get rid of.If at first you don't succeed, try using a hammer next time...everything needs some extra persuasion from time to time.  -ME

  2. User avater
    Mike8964 | Sep 21, 2007 09:46pm | #3

    10# per SF. Learned that as a laborer 20+ years ago, when I filled a trash can with plaster rubble.

    Foreman looked at the can, looked at me and said he couldn't wait to see how I was gonna' get that can in the dumpster....much less move it there.

    "FYI, college boy...", he said "plaster's about 10# per SF....do the math."

  3. WayneL5 | Sep 22, 2007 01:14am | #4

    Concrete weighs about 150 pounds per cubic foot.  Plaster is probably in that neighborhood.

  4. JTC1 | Sep 22, 2007 02:32am | #5

    Assuming, 12x12x8 foot room, demo 4 walls plus ceiling = 528 sqft.

    528 sqft x 10 lbs = 5,280 pounds.

    So, no, you will not make it on the 2 ton allowance.

    So now for my question ---- what are you going to do with the predicted 1280 pound overage?

    I would put it in the dumpster and pay (about $35) for disposal along with the other 2 tons allowed.

    Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

    1. Piffin | Sep 22, 2007 03:22am | #7

      according to my ref, plaster weighs in at 85#/Cu Ft 

       

      Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      1. WillieWonka | Sep 22, 2007 04:36am | #8

        85#/CuFt??? If that is the case I'd never be able to lift a Cu ft because I struggle lifting my son who is about 85#, and I usualy can carry out a trash bag 1/4 full of the stuff, so it must be less than 85#. I wonder if they tell you to take that number so that you can figure out how much to charge to get rid of it or something. Then again...the stuff is extraordinarily heavy so maybe it is 85# and the stress of carrying it makes the adrenaline flow and I don't realize it's actually heavier :)If at first you don't succeed, try using a hammer next time...everything needs some extra persuasion from time to time.  -ME

        1. 9ENGEL | Sep 22, 2007 06:17pm | #14

          Back in January I demoed my living room (12x14x8). Plaster on wood lath covered with 1/2" drywall. Ceiling and all but one 12' wall. Wood lath went out with household trash. I put the plaster and drywall in my truck, and it was under 2000# at the dump.

          I feel bad for you though. When I demoed another room a couple of weeks ago, I didn't want to mess with going to the dump so I got a 12yd dumpster. A flat $200.00, no weight limit.

           

  5. Piffin | Sep 22, 2007 03:19am | #6

    You have about one yard of plaster there, unless a lot of extra behind the keys in the lathe.

    That would weigh between 1400 and 1800 pounds, depending on the mix, less than a ton.

    Add the weight and volume of the lathe - maybe 150# or so - volume depends how you handle and stack it.

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

  6. User avater
    basswood | Sep 22, 2007 05:44am | #9

    Plaster from demo work makes good base material for patios, walkways, driveways, etc.

    I like to put the stuff to use, on site, if possible...that way I save money on waste disposal and avoid spending money on road base/gravel.

    If you remove topsoil for a patio area too...you can build a raised flower bed as a third project. ;o)

  7. User avater
    popawheelie | Sep 22, 2007 06:15am | #10

    10# a square foot sound right but I'd make sure if you could.

  8. User avater
    JeffBuck | Sep 22, 2007 06:23am | #11

    it'll fit and I bet U won't be charged extra.

     

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

  9. alwaysoverbudget | Sep 22, 2007 06:48am | #12

    i don't know what it will weigh but by the time you get it off the walls ,hauled outside ,thrown in the dumpster,you will really care less about cost of disposal!

    my guess is 2 t0ns will probably get it,but then you have to figure all the stuff the neighbors throw in,just cause the dumpster is there. larry

    hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.

  10. JTC1 | Sep 22, 2007 04:28pm | #13

    We should start a pool - "How much will WillieWonka's dumpster weigh?"

    Everyone seems to agree that the plaster / lath will fit in the 10 yard dumpster unless he is really sloppy loading it, or if the nieghbors beat him in the race to fill it.

    Piffin has submitted two entries - 1) under one ton and 2) 1.2 tons.

    JeffBuck and AlwaysOverBudget agree at "under 2 tons".

    JTC1 is the pessimistic bidder at 2.7 tons.

    Let's see......did we factor in the weight of the plastic bags?.......

    Prize?......maybe we could get some of those dog bones........

    Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

     

     

     

  11. OldHomeDIYer | Apr 09, 2015 02:14am | #15

    13x11x8 Plaster & Lathe Room

    I demolished a bedroom that was 13x11x8, all plater & lathe for the walls and ceiling, and hauled it to the dump myself. I did 2 truck loads in a 1/2 ton pick-up, (probably should have been 3 loads since I only had about 1.5 inches to go before bottoming out and it was very unsafe. Be sure to go outside and check on how your truck is sitting occasionally if you go that route since you can't really tell when tossing bags out of a window into the bed). It had a 6ft bed and I ran sheets of plywood all the way around it for 4ft of height and I believe bed width is about 6ft wide. That is (6x6x4)/27 equals about 5 yards a truckload and I did not fill to the tippy-top. I don't recall exactly what the total weight of the loads were, but it was not over a ton all said and done. I believe the first load I took only weighed 500lbs-600lbs because I just threw the lathe in randomly and it took up alot of room. The second load was mostly plaster with some lathe and it was in the ball park of 1200lbs...just shy of a ton all together. I would recommend bundling the lathe together with string and it'll save you alot of room or you could throw it in your regular trash little by little, but a 10 yard dumpster should do. Put the lathe bundles a side until you get all the plaster in first and then see how much lathe you can fit on top. I will be renting a dumpster soon in order to continue with another room, about the same size, alond with a stairway/hallway that leads from the first floor up into the second floor area. My guess is I will need a 20 yard for that project. When I have it all ripped out I'll try to post an update to give others a good idea. Also, for just a side note, a 5-gallon bucket filled with sand or joint compound weighs in at about 60lbs to use as comparison. I was using 6mil heavy duty trashbags to move the stuff and I'd say they weighed about 100lbs filled up about a 3rd of the way. It wasn't easy tossing them out of the window and getting them into the truck bed.

  12. oops | Apr 09, 2015 05:08pm | #16

    weight of plaster

    10 #/sf. for 1/2 thick plaster per Architectural Graphic Standards

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