Replacing Ceiling Drywall , When you have to replace some ceiling drywall, you probably need to remove the old drywall and install new drywall. However, if the gap between roofing and ceiling is small, insulation materials like fibreglass or rock wool can easily fall off from time to time.
Replacing ceiling drywall is not that difficult if you have the right tools. This article will guide you through helpful tips and professional advice from an expert.
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How to Replace Ceiling Drywall Without Insulation Falling
When you replace the ceiling and drywall, sometimes the insulation falls down. This can be a really big load and a big mess. What can you do to fix this problem and have a new ceiling without insulation falling down?
1. Clear out the Room.
Clear out the room and remove any furniture, light fixtures or other items that are not screwed down to the floor. Remove all wires and cables above the ceiling, including electrical wiring, telephone lines and sprinkler systems. Make sure you have enough room to work comfortably in your home while replacing the drywall.
2. Remove old drywall
If there are nails still holding your old ceiling up, pull them out with a hammer or pliers before removing the drywall itself. Pry up the edges of the drywall with a flat pry bar or chisel so that it pops off easily when you hit it with a hammer or mallet.
If wires or cables are behind the drywall, you removed earlier, cut through them with wire cutters before removing them completely from their moorings to prevent damage to any of your electrical components while installing new drywall materials.
3. Turn off the power to the room.
Disconnect any electrical wiring by cutting off exposed wires with wire cutters or snipping them with pliers if they’re in conduit; then disconnect any electrical boxes by loosening their mounting screws with a screwdriver or nut driver.
If the insulation is still attached, push on its upper edge using your hands or a rubber mallet until it comes free from nails or screws in studs, then pull down on it while pulling up on the top edge of drywall until it’s completely removed.
4. Install the new drywall screws and wires.
To install ceiling drywall without insulation falling, you will need to take the following steps:
- Cut out the damaged drywall section. Use a utility knife to cut along the perimeter of the damaged area. Then, use a hammer and chisel to remove any remaining pieces.
- Measure and cut the new drywall panels. Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the measurements on both sides of each panel. Then, use a circular saw to cut out each panel.
- Insert new insulation into the cavity between joists or studs above the ceiling. The distance between joists or studs varies depending on your home’s construction and layout, so refer to your local building code for specifications before installing new insulation in your home’s attic or crawlspace.
- Attach furring strips around the perimeter of each joist or stud beneath your new drywall panels using 1-5/8″ screws. This creates a gap between your new drywall panels and existing ones, allowing airflow between them while preventing moisture from building up behind them over time due to condensation from hot steamy showers or dirty dishes draining into sinks in kitchens or bathrooms below yours.
What Type of Drywall is used for the Ceiling?
Ceilings are the last place most people look when making home improvements. But if you’ve ever tried to paint or wallpaper a ceiling, you know how important it is to take care of that area.
Two types of drywall used for ceilings are gypsum board and fibreglass mesh. Gypsum board is the most common choice because it’s inexpensive and easy to install. Fibreglass mesh is more expensive but is stronger fire resistant and provides better acoustical insulation.
Heat and pressure push water, sand, glue, and paper fibers into gypsum board. Lightweight and easy to cut with a utility knife or jigsaw. It doesn’t work well in humid environments like bathrooms or kitchens, where moisture can cause bulging or buckling.
Resin presses glass fibres into fibreglass mesh. It’s stronger than gypsum board and works well in high humidity since it can be moulded into corners or curves instead of placed flat, making it easier to put in corners without coves.
Difference Between Ceiling Drywall and Regular Drywall
The difference between ceiling drywall and regular drywall is that the ceiling drywall has a thicker paper on the surface of the gypsum core. The edges of ceiling drywall are also slightly bevelled, which makes it easier to nail or screw them down.
Ceiling drywall is used in ceilings where there is no insulation under them. When you add insulation above your ceiling, you need to use regular drywall instead because it will be harder to get a nail or screw through the insulation when using ceiling drywall.
Ceiling drywall is 1/2 inch thick vs 1/4 inch for normal drywall. The thickness is because it’s meant to withstand gravity without joists or studs, unlike ordinary walls.
Final Verdict
When replacing ceiling drywall, you’ll need to determine what type of drywall is used for the ceiling. The type of drywall will determine whether you need to use insulation or not.
You may repair a gypsum drywall ceiling without insulation. Gypsum drywall is designed to be used without insulation and has a vapour barrier on one side. Remove a layer of gypsum drywall and install new sheets with the paper side up to avoid sticking.
