NEED HELP !!

[schmoe147]

I'm looking for the answer as to what would cause my ceiling sheetrock to sag and crack in between seems. One particular spot is so bad I'm thinkin about cutting it out in fear that it will just give away and fall one day. Is there anyway to fix this without putting all new sheetrock up ?? What to do to prevent this from getting any worse or from happening again ? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Jethro80]

More than likely you will be replacing it. You would have to explore a little bit to see the reason for it. If the rock is pulled away from the joists, the rock failed, if the joists are sagging also then its a slightly bigger issue and you would want to have the piece of mind that your 2nd floor or roof doesn't collapse. You could try screwing it off some more. Just don't bury the screw, meaning don't break through the paper but sink it just enough so you can patch the holes

[DrKen]

I've never seen rock just fail like that. I would be concerned with a moisture problem behind the rock. This is the main reason the rock would fail. It would be a good idea to pull the rock and check for leaking or condensation behind it. As Jethro stated when putting up the new rock, don't bury the screws. Just deep enough to barely get head below the paper level.

[Fishinguy40]

Some localities require that ceiling sheet rock be 5/8 and not 1/2 inch. You would think that the 5/8 would be heavier and more prone to what you describe but the reasoning is that it is thicker/stronger and less prone to sagging.

[walleyeseeker]

5/8" sheetrock is made to span 24" on center joist spacing while 1/2" can only span 16" on center joist spacing. Check to see which one was used and what the spacing is before ripping everything apart. If this is a ceiling under a truss roof, then it will probably be 24" spacing. Basement ceilings could be either one.

[reddog]

Its possible that it wasnt installed correctly, and it runs parallel with the joists, not perpendicular. Seen that before.

Could be wind driven snow in the attic, causing the excessive weight/moisture.

[311Hemi]

Its possible that it wasnt installed correctly, and it runs parallel with the joists, not perpendicular. Seen that before.

Yep, that's how mine is. Trying to decide what to do about it...if anything. It was like this when I bought the house.

[crothmeier]

if you replace it all they now make a 1/2" "no-sag" that is rated for 24" o.c. joist spacing. its lighter and easier to handle than the heavy 5/8" and also passes code. I do believe its less expensive than the 5/8" also.