Fix Sagging Drywall Ceilings
Before you attempt to fix sagging drywall ceilings, you need to find out why they are sagging. Very often it's a moisture problem, and high humidity in your attic, or a roof leak, is softening the sheets of drywall. Fixing your ceilings without taking care of whatever is causing them to sag in the first place will be a waste of your valuable time. Once the cause is addressed, you can usually straighten out the ceilings, as long as there's no extensive damage to the drywall.
Instructions
1. Brace the sagging drywall with lumber to hold it up and in place while you reattach it, if you don't have a partner to push the drywall up against the ceiling joists. Use an 8-foot piece of lumber (assuming you have a standard 8-foot tall ceiling) firmly wedged between the floor and ceiling.
2. Pound in protruding drywall nails or screws with a hammer. Try not to break through the paper covering the sheet of drywall.
3. Screw the drywall into the ceiling joists with 1 1/4 inch drywall screws, about 8 inches apart. You should be able to follow the existing seam; if not, use a stud finder (an electronic device that detects the location of joists or studs behind drywall) to locate the joists.
4. Place a level across the previously sagging section of drywall to see how flat you got it. If you still find low spots, put in some more screws--but be aware that the drywall may have permanently lost its shape and you'll never get it perfect without replacing it.
5. Fill the screw holes with two coats of joint compound, waiting 4 to 8 hours between coats for them to dry. Sand them smooth using a fine grit sanding sponge, or drywall sander and 180-grit sandpaper.
6. Texture the ceiling to match, unless it was smooth. Purchase spray can texture from a paint or hardware store--there are textures to match most ceilings, including orange peel and acoustic popcorn texture. Follow the directions on the can for application and drying time.
7. Prime over all the repairs, and paint the ceiling. Plan on repainting the entire ceiling unless it was otherwise in very good condition, and you have the exact same paint that was used originally.
Related posts
You can decorate ceilings with drywall mud.Drywall is one of the most common types of material used in building homes, making up the walls and ceilings of many structures. After drywall has been i...
Installing drywall on a gable ceiling requires a drywall lift.Drywall panels are composed of pressed gypsum particles and covered with paper to provide a smooth surface for walls and ceilings. Sol...
Plaster ceilings are delightful characteristics of old homes. It was the preferred material for ceilings before drywall came along in the 1950s. While restoring these ceilings can keep the aesthet...
Ceiling corner joints must be straight and smooth.Drywall comes in large panels, which drywall hangers install over wood studs. Ceilings require an extra level of attention during the finishing pr...
Scaffolding offers a sturdy place to stand when installing drywall overhead.Installing drywall panels on your ceiling offers a smooth surface for painting or for applying drywall texture. Drywall...
