Over time, gypsum (plasterboard / sheetrock) ceiling panels can detach and come away from the joists. Especially when there has been a lot of activity in the loft (fitting insulation?) or heavy light fixtures have taken their toll

Do you really want to pay for a handyman or builder when it's a job that you can easily complete yourself?

Preparation

  1. Before starting work, remove or cover all of the furniture in the room. I would advise moving any fragile items to prevent damage from larger pieces of falling gypsum. Also, anything that will be affected by dust.


  2. Turn off the electricity at the consumer unit/electrical panel, before removing any light fixtures that are fitted near the detached panel


  3. Remove any nails or screws left in the joist from

    where the panel has become detached. Nails can be awkward to reach with a claw hammer so try using a pair of pliers.

Reattaching the board

  1. Support the detached panel with vertical lengths of wood or a wallboard jack (available for hire from your local plant hire). If you are using wooden lengths, they can be raised (to the required height) by inserting wooden shims or wedges at the bottom. Ensure that wooden supports are secure before proceeding. If you are concerned that they may damage your flooring, place a rug (preferably rubber backed) under the wood.


  2. Reattach the detached panel by screwing it onto the joist. Drive the screws in just below the surface of the plasterboard. Using drywall screws, position the screws at least 1 inch from the holes left by the original nails (screws).

Finishing

  1. Carefully remove any old jointing tape and compound from the detached panel; you may need to use a scrapper for this.


  2. Apply jointing compound down the joins before pressing in the jointing tape (make sure there are no air bubbles. Apply another thin coat over the top of the tape. You should be able to see the tape through the compound, if not, you have applied it too thickly. Allow to dry before applying a final layer, this can be sanded down to create a smooth finish.


  3. Fill screw heads, when dry sand to a smooth finish.

Reinstall lighting

Reinstall any light fittings that have been removed and turn on the electricity at the consumer unit/electrical panel.



Once complete, your ceiling will need to be repainted. Unfortunately, it would be too noticeable to only paint the repaired board, especially with a texture ceiling.