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How to fix garage ceiling corner dropping?

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping to get some advice on a problem I've noticed with my garage ceiling. It looks like the ceiling and the architraves have started to sag in one corner. I've uploaded a few photos to show the issue from below and from the roof space above.

I went up into the roof cavity to inspect, but I couldn't find any signs of water pooling or any heavy objects that might be causing this.

This has me a bit puzzled. What are the possible causes for this if it's not water damage or excess weight? perhaps the vibrations from the garage door over time?

House built in 2016.

Is this something that can be fixed DIY?

I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions on how to proceed!

Thanks

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JacobZ

Hi @Neo19,

There are a few steps to the repair, but each step is certainly achievable D.I.Y. Just make sure you turn the electricity off at the meter when you are working in the ceiling cavity. There are always risks involved when there are exposed cables, so do everything you can to limit those risks.

You can see along the ceiling framing here that the plasterboard sheeting has come away from the framing.

This has caused the plasterboard to sag, as this side of the sheet is no longer sufficiently attached to the framing above.

To fix this issue, you can apply stud adhesive to the back of the sheets, then drive plasterboard screws up through the plasterboard sheets into the ceiling frame to fix it back in place.

As you can't see the framing from beneath, you will have to push the plasterboard up so that it hits the framing, then use a stud finder to mark the location of the studs. Do this before applying the stud adhesive, then return to the ceiling cavity, add your stud adhesive to the back of the sheets, then screw the plasterboard up.

Once the plasterboard has been reattached to the framing, you will have to fill the screw holes with a plaster filler such as this Multi-Purpose Joint Compound, then fix the cornice back in place with Cornice Cement. You should then seal up any remaining seams along the cornice with No More Gaps.

When everything is dry, give the plaster a sand, then prime and paint to match the rest of the ceiling.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

Noyade

In addition to the above @Neo19 , 'cheap' extendable ceiling props are a great investment.

These were around $25 and support 60 kg. Position, tighten/lengthen pushing the plaster back to the wood.

Then screw.

Dave-1

Good Evening @Neo19

The ceiling props would certainly make it easier to lift that plaster back up. The glue that @JacobZ has suggested works a dream.

Dave

Neo19

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for the helpful replies!

@JacobZ , your step-by-step guide is fantastic, and I appreciate the safety reminder!

@Noyade and @Dave-1, thanks for the great tip about using extendable ceiling props and re-assurance about the glue!

I'll give it a go :-)

Cheers

Neo19

what's a good rule of thumb for spacing of screws in this situation?

MitchellMc

Hi @Neo19,

I'd suggest placing screws at 250-300mm increments.

Mitchell

Neo19

Thank you @MitchellMc

Neo19

Thank you everyone! I was able to fix it, thanks to your advices and suggestions!

MitchellMc

Amazing work @Neo19!

Well done and many thanks for sharing your results.

Mitchell

Neo19

Thanks @MitchellMc

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