Hi,

I'm quite new in drywall.

I went up to attic to install insulation a few months ago. But by accident, I stepped on the drywall (part of the ceiling of the room beneath). The 8x4 drywall just literally dropped on the floor with a big bang. My friends helped me put a new drywall up but part of the drywall edge doesn't level with the existing ones. It doesn't look like drywall compound will be able to smooth it out. But I don't want to take it down and put it up again: it wasn't easy.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

John

 

Ya, drywall doesn't make good flooring

What you are describing is probably the factory edge with is beveled to make it easier to hide the tape. If it makes it easier, you can prefill it with joint compound before you tape. I usually tape it like it is and use the next coats of j/c to bring it level with the rest of the ceiling.

..... and you aren't the first person to step or fall thru a ceiling from the attic - life happens

 

It is also possible that you replaced the drywall with a different thickness.
You may be able to make the transition hardly noticeable if you use the widest taping knife you can get.

Here is a 14" one:



Image courtesy of homedepot.com

 

Good point Greg! The ceiling would likely be either 1/2" or 5/8" drywall. You should be able to tell at the 4" end of the drywall if the replacement board is the same thickness. But as already stated the further you float out the j/c, the harder the difference will be to spot. The smaller the room [or angle of sight] the easier it will be to get it where it won't be noticed.

 

Thanks Greg and Mark! You guys are really helpful.

I don't want to replace it with thinner drywall since the other side fits perfectly. If changing to a thinner one, the side that is OK will have problems that I have now. I will try what both of you guys suggested, except going for replacement. BTW, my drywall is of 1/2" thick. I don't want 5/8" drywall because it might kill someone downstairs if it drops. The room is not small: about 400 sqt. feet.

It will sound silly but why we put up drywall as ceilings. If the ceiling was of plywood, it wouldn't break and drop even I danced on it. I raised the similar question to my friends, they said plywood was too heavy. I doubt it, because so is drywall. Drywall is like cracker and it can hold nothing. Considering cost, there is no big difference.

Thanks again. I'll try your ways in a couple of days. If I come across something, I will have to bother you.

 

The whole sheet of drywall should not have fallen no matter how heavy it is.
It was either installed with not enough screws or has maybe gotten wet and was totally rotten.

If you place proper type and length screws every 16" along the bottom of the three of four rafters it contacts there is no way a sheet in good condition will fall.
You had better at least double the number of screws in the rest of your room.

 

I'm just wondering....did you have to trim the width of the new sheet at all? Or was the remaining piece cut? Could you see the gypsum between the paper?

The reason I say, it sounds like you have the factory beveled edge against a full thickness cut edge.

As to your question of ply vs sheetrock....fire code is one reason. Finishing is another. Making a sheetrock wall or ceiling look good is cheap and easy.

You said considering cost? A smooth finished plywood is prob $30 or more a sheet for 1/2"-5/8". Sheetrock is what? Maybe $8? $10?

 

......and how would you address the joints if you used plywood instead of drywall?