For a ceiling that is cracked and possibly stained, a good method is to re-cover the entire ceiling with a new layer of drywall. By re-covering the entire surface of the ceiling it allows you to basically start over to achieve that nice smooth and even surface you want.
Instructions
1. Measure the surface area of the ceiling by standing on a ladder to measure at the top of the wall where the wall meets the ceiling. Have a helper hold a tape measure for you at the opposite end of each wall.
2. Calculate the ceiling surface area by multiplying the length times the width of the room. Each 4-by-8 sheet of drywall is 32 square feet, so divide the ceiling surface area by 32 to determine the number of sheets you will need. As a beginner or novice you should buy at least one extra sheet.
3. Clear the room so that you can work safely and more efficiently.
4. Set up the drywall elevator rack in one corner of the room. The elevator rack has two hooks on one side that allow you to place a sheet of drywall on in a vertical orientation and then tilt it horizontally to lift it into place with a ratcheting vertical cylinder.
5. Lift the first sheet of drywall into place tightly against the surface of the ceiling in one corner of the room.
6. Using an electronic stud finder locate the ceiling joists that the old drywall is attached to and then mark the location of the ceiling joists.
7. Drive 2-inch drywall screws through your new drywall, through the old drywall and into the ceiling joists. Screws should be driven in every 10 to 12 inches along every ceiling joist.
8. Repeat Steps 5, 6 and 7 for the rest of the sheets of drywall by measuring for each sheet and cutting to fit. Use a keyhole saw to cut a hole in the location of the electric box where the light fixture will be.
9. Use general purpose joint compound to fill in over all of the screw heads. Apply paper joint tape over all of the joints and along the ceiling corners by pressing it into place with a wide putty knife and joint compound. Repeat this step until the surface is smooth and even by sanding down the joint compound between applications.
Related posts
Cut through the drywall using a utility knife.Drywall comes in 4-by-8 foot sheets and is 5/8-inch thick for ceilings (weighing 75 lbs.) and 1/2-inch thick for walls (weighing 50 lbs.). Use nails t...
Tape, followed by drywall mud, covers drywall seams for a flawless finish.Drywall -- sometimes called sheetrock or gypsum board -- arose in the 1940s as a wall covering that came in strips 16 inch...
Cracked plaster is common in older homes, because the homes have shifted and settled over the years. This can cause unsightly cracks. If repairing the plaster is not possible or too expensive, ano...
Drywall (also referred to as gypsum board or sheetrock) is an interior wall sheathing material used in most types of construction in both residential and commercial projects. Metal studs are an al...
A drywall jack helps attach drywall to ceilings.Installing drywall on a ceiling is not a one-person job. One piece of drywall can weigh up to 100 pounds. This is why a drywall jack or lift is a mu...
