Ceilings -how are they fixed ? Anyone know ?

[jack_s]

How is a room ceiling fixed ??

The ceiling plasterboard in part of a room has dropped about 2 inches.

Looking in the gap (between ceiling & board above it) it seems the fixings have pushed through the ceiling in that part of the room.

The ceiling plasterboard seems fixed to board above and this board I assume is fixed to the joists (I cannot see joists).

1) Are they just long screws with washer type things to hold plasterboard or special ceiling fixings ??

2) What is the board above the ceiling plasterboard, is it chipboard ??

Thanks
Jack S.

 

[markvirgo]

plasterboard is fixed via galvanised nails (clout) or plasterboard screws.

plasterboard should be fixed straight to the joists.

double layer of plasterboard?.

the boarding you are seeing could be asbestos that has been plasterboarded over.

or boarding could have been used to try to level the ceiling.

I would remove all the plasterboard and the under boarding (leave asbestos to the pro's)

re plasterboard and then plaster skim it.

you may need to piggy back the joists with new timber to level the ceiling if it is warped.

please supply more info like age of house etc

 

[jack_s]

I've used some No10 x 4 inch chipboard screws with washers to pull up the hanging plasterboard in a few places.

They screwed in ok & I didn't know where joists were.
I picked random places to screw in.

I don't think chipboard screws would hold in plasterboard, so that makes me think the board above ceiling plasterboard
is more solid chipboard or similiar.

My house was built 1895. I live in basement flat.

Jack S.

 

[markvirgo]

that age of house is properly lathe and plaster ceiling (strips of wood covered in plaster)
chipboard screws will hold in this type of plastering.

if it is chipboard i would remove it as it is a fire hazard.

it will keep on sagging and pulling out the screw/nails you will have to get it done one day.

has the owner/tenant upstairs had any work done?. (new flooring or carpet etc)

 

[jack_s]

that age of house is properly lathe and plaster ceiling (strips of wood covered in plaster)
chipboard screws will hold in this type of plastering.

if it is chipboard i would remove it as it is a fire hazard.

it will keep on sagging and pulling out the screw/nails you will have to get it done one day.

has the owner/tenant upstairs had any work done?. (new flooring or carpet etc)

I've just realised what I think it is/looks like, 3-5mm Hardboard.
(doesn't look like the thicker/heavier chipboard).
-I couldn't think of the right word.

The board above the ceiling plasterboard did not look old.
When pushing up screws to screw in, it felt like this board was flexing, before screw went in
(as thinner Hardboard sheet would).

Won't lathe & plaster have a rough type finish ??

Upstairs had water leak in kitchen & have laminate flooring which they want to replace.

Thanks
Jack S.

 

[AndersonC]

They screwed in ok & I didn't know where joists were.
I picked random places to screw in.

I live in basement flat.

Jack S.

Very good that!! Imagine if you'd gone through a gas or water pipe or an electric cable. Youd have had some money to shell out then!

And lath and plaster caileings are not rough - they are skimmed smooth.

 

[Hitachimad]

that age of house is properly lathe and plaster ceiling (strips of wood covered in plaster)
chipboard screws will hold in this type of plastering.

if it is chipboard i would remove it as it is a fire hazard.

it will keep on sagging and pulling out the screw/nails you will have to get it done one day.

has the owner/tenant upstairs had any work done?. (new flooring or carpet etc)

I've just realised what I think it is/looks like, 3-5mm Hardboard.
(doesn't look like the thicker/heavier chipboard).
-I couldn't think of the right word.

The board above the ceiling plasterboard did not look old.
When pushing up screws to screw in, it felt like this board was flexing, before screw went in
(as thinner Hardboard sheet would).

Won't lathe & plaster have a rough type finish ??

Upstairs had water leak in kitchen & have laminate flooring which they want to replace.
Thanks
Jack S.

I should pop up and see them, is theire kitchen in a similar position to your sagged ceiling?

 

[jack_s]

They screwed in ok & I didn't know where joists were.
I picked random places to screw in.

I live in basement flat.

Jack S.

Very good that!! Imagine if you'd gone through a gas or water pipe or an electric cable. Youd have had some money to shell out then!

And lath and plaster caileings are not rough - they are skimmed smooth.

Sometimes there isn't time, particularly if the ceiling is falling down !!

I spent a week drying out various possessions, while people upstairs worried about their "laminate flooring" and making insurance claim.

I know where I'd like to put their Laminate Flooring !!

Jack S.