Drywall on ceiling questions

[TheRic]

I have drywall on my ceiling in my basement, it was there when we moved in 5+ ago. The drywall is pulling the nails down/out. I'm going to put in screws to pull the drywall back up. In doing this I know the nails will pop out more, already about 5-10% have popped.

Should I pull the old nails out, which will probably make a bigger dent/hole. Or should I drive them back in, and hope they do not start to come out later. Either way I will have to mud over everything.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Drive them back in or cut them off flush. Screws will hold weight of drywall thus drywall will not be putting pressure on the nails again.

Nails in ceiling drywall . . . .

[TheRic]

Drive them back in or cut them off flush. Screws will hold weight of drywall thus drywall will not be putting pressure on the nails again.

Nails in ceiling drywall . . . .

Yea, the screws will hold the drywall. I guess I'm more worried about them vibrating loose, and popping out. Can here our 65 lb. Lab-Mix walk on the floor upstairs. Joists are 1 5/8" X 7 1/8" from around 1940's - 1960' depending on who you talk to.

I think the nails in the drywall was put up BEFORE drywall screw were popular, or at least before they were economical.

[blame]

my self i would use a flatbar with a 1x board and pull them out save you the time of having to do it later because its always going to happen just be careful and you shouldnt have a problem

while i was working for a contractor every bit of drywall we hung was screwed in the center and nail around the edges saved alot of time 4 guys hung 8000 sq ft in 4 days was very fast pace but we all had 5 or more years exp hanging drywall

i've since quit doing construction i do alittle roofing from time to time but wont be doing that much more after this year its a waste of my shop time lol

blame

[newood2]

I just refinished the ceiling on a house that was built in the 60's. . I use screws as in installing a new ceiling. It's a good idea to screw up first, as this will cause other hesitant nails to show their ugly heads. I then drive the nails in and use plaster to level and finish.
The owner is very happy and has branded me the "ceiling doctor". Unfortunately I didn't get a doctors fee.

Howie

[Hellrazor]

It's a good idea to screw up first

Hence my tag

[Stormbringer]

ric,

Speaking from experience, the nails won't work themselves loose if you pound them back because they won't have any weight on them. The screws will be doing the holding and taking the weight of the sheetrock.

One thing I would do, if many of the nails have worked themsleves a little loose, is to brace a 2X4 aginst the piece your going to screw back in as to not tear it when you drive that first screw in as it will try to "lift" the sheet back up against the joist. The 2X4 will put the sheet nice and snug.

Good luck,
Greg

[TheRic]

.... One thing I would do, if many of the nails have worked themsleves a little loose, is to brace a 2X4 aginst the piece your going to screw back in as to not tear it when you drive that first screw in as it will try to "lift" the sheet back up against the joist. The 2X4 will put the sheet nice and snug.....

Thanks for that TIP!!

Thanks everyone for the reassurance that if I pound the nails back in they won't come out years later. I prefer to fix things once and be done with them.

[jseklund]

I agree with everyone else- screw them first, then nail it and smooth it with plaster. Also, you'll be working overhead. Drills are heavy. Maybe a good excuse to get a li-on drill j/k

[Greg.B]

When I had drywall installed on the ceilings they used nails just to get it in place, then the rest is about 90% screws. I would say to just put some screws in and use a center punch and put the nails back in. They will stop popping out once the screws are put in as the screw will stop the ceiling from moving/dropping. Just put a screw like 6 inches on either side of the pop.