Suspended gypsum board ceilings are also known as drywall ceilings, and they give the home a clean and finished look when they are installed correctly. However, if certain conditions are not met, they are prone to cracking over time. While this condition is not necessarily a structural problem, it is an obvious aesthetic problem that could suggest that the home is unsound. If you are installing a suspended gypsum board ceiling, take pains to prevent cracks from developing in the future.
Instructions
1. Install a suspended gypsum board ceiling only when both the air temperature and the temperature of the framing surface have been at at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two days. Not only does this reduce the amount of moisture in the lumber of the framing, it also encourages a better bond between the adhesive and the lumber. Hanging the ceiling at this temperature prevents cracks from occurring as soon as the temperature changes.
2. Butt the edges of your gypsum board against each other during installation. They should touch gently along their entire length when they go in, as gaps between the sheets will later require more joint compound. If the sheets shrink slightly, an larger amount of joint compound prevents the sheets from moving as freely, which in turn leads to more cracks.
3. Flatten the edges of the lumber frame where the gypsum board will sit using a plane or sandpaper. If the frame is not entirely flat, it causes a misalignment between the sheets and where they sit. Over time, this misalignment causes the gypsum board sheets to crack under the inappropriately distributed pressure.
4. Tape the joins between the gypsum board sheets appropriately by ensuring that the paper joint tape is properly embedded. Put down a coat of drywall mud along the join of the gypsum board, smooth it out thoroughly and then apply the tape over it. Flatten the tape so that no bubbles or blisters exist.
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