Replacement ceiling - help please

[chillout]

My plasterboard ceiling has cracked at the joints where they were not taped up. Would it be best to take it down and reboard or is it best to board over the existing? Also should I use 9.5mm or 12.5mm? Tapered?
Many thanks for any advice.

 

[chillout]

Just wanted to add its an old ceiling that's been up for a while. Thanks

 

[HERTS P&D]

Just supply and fit a new ceiling over what you already have, making sure the screws go through to the joists and re-plaster.

That is what I have done in my house, lovely new flat ceilings. (Use 12.5mm)

Andy

 

[chillout]

Cheers mate, tapered better?

 

[cajar]

How do you find the joists without taking the existing ceiling down?

 

[wingcoax]

SIMPLES Use a bradawl or similar tool and poke through where you think the joists are until you have the centre line. You are OVER boarding after all.

 

[cajar]

So simple I didn't even think of it!

 

[joe-90]

The cracks will tell you where they are.

 

[noseall]

We go along each side of the room where the ceiling meets the wall, tapping with a claw hammer. When the acoustic sounds right we smack through each side of the joist, thus revealing the joist.

I then get my laser and line and line it up with the centre of the joist both sides then mark along the line with a pencil.

You could do a similar thing with a straight edge or a builders line.

It is important that you stagger the joints, so knowing where your exact centres are is essential.