Not always. If the framing and foundation are stable, and the connection of the lath to the framing, the plaster to the lath is secure, plaster cracks generally WON'T come back. We can offer a 'No Crack/No Collapse Guarantee' on ceilings when we use our proprietary 'Triple S' procedure.

Yes...if your damage was caused by a burst pipe, tree damaged roof or any other 'act of God' not considered a deferred maintenance issue. In other words, if you let your roof deteriorate and you have had a long term slow leak, insurance generally considers that a maintenance issue. In general, wall and ceiling cracks aren't covered unless such cracks were the result of a definable impact, such as a tree landing on the roof.

Covering a plaster ceiing with drywall is a solution that is regularly offered by general contractors. When the only tool you have is a hammer....everything is a nail! Covering an ugly plaster ceiling with drywall might be cheap and may seem to take care of the problem, but done incorrectly, the drywall can detach or worse, the added weight of the drywall can pull the plaster ceiling down. To some people, the obvious flatness of drywall and the often visible taped joints take away from the original character of the house. Additionally, if you have plaster crown molding, you will lose some of the detail or 'reveal' of the molding. If its wood, it will have to be removed and replaced. Most plaster ceilings can be repaired, without adding the extra weight of drywall, but that requires skill and some labor. We specialize in repairing plaster ceilings and offer a guarantee that it won't crack, peel or collapse, if that is something you want. That being said, if you don't mind the uncharacteristic flatness of drywall, it can be safely used to cover a plaster ceiling....if the contractor or drywall installer knows what they are doing....and care to do it properly. That involves using screws (not nails) and furring strips, ensuring that the furring strips are secured to the framing. The biggest no-no is the installer simply shooting screws willy-nilly into the ceiling without regard to whether they are going into the framing. So there you have it....in the end, you have to decide which is best for your home.