Stained Ceilings
If the plaster is still sound, a stained ceiling may only need a stain-blocking primer before painting. We’ll tell you if that’s all it needs.
Water-damaged ceiling repair
Leak damaged your ceiling? we’ll put it right
Stained, bubbled, sagging and collapsed ceilings repaired or replaced once the leak is fixed, for homes across Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset.
- Free, no-obligation quotes
- Ceilings repaired or replaced
- Clean & tidy on every job
Since 2015Poole & Dorset
Water-Damaged Ceiling Repair in Poole & Dorset
Get in TouchHad a leak from a bathroom, pipe or roof? Four Four Finishes repairs water-damaged ceilings in homes across Poole, Bournemouth and the rest of Dorset.
Water damage ranges from a brown stain to a ceiling that has bubbled, sagged or come down. Once the leak is fixed and the ceiling has dried out, we repair or replace the damaged section and skim it so it matches the rest of the ceiling.
Every job starts with a visit and a free, no-obligation quote with the work and the price set out clearly, which is handy if you’re claiming on your home insurance.
What We Repair after a leak
We repair the plaster. The leak itself needs fixing by a plumber or roofer first. For other ceiling work, see ceiling plastering and repairs.
Plaster that has bubbled, cracked or softened is cut back and repaired, then skimmed to match.
Sagging Plasterboard
Soaked plasterboard that has sagged or crumbled is cut out and replaced with new boards, then skimmed.
Old ceilings loosened by water are secured, boarded over or replaced, depending on how much has come away.
Whole Ceilings
When too much is damaged, the ceiling is taken down and replaced with new plasterboard and a smooth skim.
Wall plaster damaged by the same leak repaired or re-plastered at the same time.
Ceiling damaged by a leak?
Tell us what happened (a photo helps) and we’ll arrange a time to take a look. You’ll get a free, no-obligation quote with the work and the price set out clearly.
Interior Services
Exterior Services
Since 2015
After a Leak what to do first
Stop the water first: turn it off at the stopcock and get the leak fixed. If water is near light fittings or the ceiling is bulging, keep everyone out from under it, switch the electricity off at the consumer unit if it’s safe to do so, and call a plumber or electrician.
Then give the ceiling time to dry out. Plaster and plasterboard hold a lot of water and can take days or even weeks to dry, depending on how wet they got. Repairing or painting too soon traps the moisture and the damage comes back.
Water stains often bleed straight through ordinary emulsion, so a stain-blocking primer is needed before painting. If the plaster has softened, sagged or come away, it needs repairing or replacing, and that’s where we come in.
How Ceiling Repairs Work after a leak
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Leak fixed
The source of the water is fixed by a plumber or roofer and the ceiling is left to dry out.
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Visit and quote
We check how far the damage goes and give you a free quote, with the work and the price set out clearly.
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Repair or replace
Damaged plaster or boards are cut out and replaced, then the ceiling is skimmed to match.
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Ready to decorate
We clear up and let you know when the new plaster is dry enough to paint.
Why Choose Four Four Finishes?
Searching for a dependable plastering company near you?
At Four Four Finishes, we are trusted by homeowners throughout Bournemouth, Poole and the wider Dorset area for several reasons.
We have years of experience in plastering, rendering and dry lining
Our professional, friendly and reliable service is unmatched
As a business, we ensure that only the highest-quality materials are used in our work
All our pricing is competitive and our quotes transparent
What Our Customers Say
5.0 out of 5 from 15 reviews on Yell (opens in a new tab)
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Skim plastering Plasterboard Walls and Ceilings
Tom skim plastered two small rooms in our cottage. The work was done in a day. Tom was very polite and completed the work to a high standard. The the job was left clean and tidy. We are very happy with the work. We would use Tom again.
SimonL-1056 September 2026 · Yell review -
Brilliant lime plasterer
Tom was an absolute genius. Had a large room lime plastered. Took 3 days. They were quiet and very clean. The results were amazing. Wish I had found this company earlier and highly recommend
EmmaF-718 November 2025 · Yell review -
Excellent work.
Tom delivered outstanding workmanship with impressive efficiency, completing the job promptly and to a superb standard. He was attentive to every detail I requested and showed genuine consideration for everyone in the household, keeping the space clean, tidy, and disruption to a minimum throughout. A pleasure to deal with, and I wouldn’t hesitate to call on him again.
Read the full review from JamesB-854880JamesB-854880 October 2025 · Yell review
Water-Damaged Ceiling FAQs
Can a water-damaged ceiling be repaired?
Usually, yes. Small areas can be cut out, replaced and skimmed to match the rest of the ceiling. If most of the ceiling is damaged or sagging, replacing it is often better.
How long should a ceiling dry before it’s repaired?
It depends how wet it got. A small leak may dry in days; a soaked ceiling can take weeks. Repairing too soon traps moisture, so we check it’s dry before starting.
Is a sagging ceiling after a leak dangerous?
It can be. A ceiling holding water or bulging can come down. Keep people out from under it, turn off the electricity if water is near light fittings and it’s safe to do so, and get the leak fixed straight away.
Will the water stain come back after painting?
It can if you use ordinary emulsion, because water stains bleed through. A stain-blocking primer stops that, as long as the ceiling is fully dry.
Can you help with an insurance claim?
We can give you a free quote with the work and the price set out clearly, which you can pass on to your insurer.
Do you repair water-damaged walls too?
Yes. Wall plaster damaged by the same leak can be repaired or re-plastered at the same time.