[TRD_Power]

Oh, everybody.... Was finishing up some duct work up in my attic for a new range hood this weekend, when I decided to take a different route in the attic than usual due to the amount of stuff I had in my hands. Managed to step on a loose board, and the rest is history.

Going to attempt this repair in a few days, but haven't worked on anything this big yet. Figured I'd go the route of cutting out a square, screwing in some 1x4 fir planks behind the old, then screw in the replacement piece + tape, putty, texture, paint. Any pointers for the noob?

 

[mark sr]

screwing in some 1x4 fir planks behind the old

Not sure exactly what you mean. If you intend to sister to the ceiling joist a 2x4 would be better - gives you more edge to screw to. 1x4 is fine to secure the old drywall to the new between joists.


I couldn't tell from the pic - what type of texture is it?

 

[SPS-1]

Any pointers for the noob?

Only step on the joists.

 

[TRD_Power]

Not sure exactly what you mean. If you intend to sister to the ceiling joist a 2x4 would be better - gives you more edge to screw to. 1x4 is fine to secure the old drywall to the new between joists.


I couldn't tell from the pic - what type of texture is it?

Was just going to follow this guy's steps:

Only step on the joists.

Where's the fun in that? The crunch of your leg going through the ceiling is too satisfying.

 

[mark sr]

That works but I'm assuming by the time you trim/cut the broken drywall you will be against the 2 ceiling joists. If so it makes more sense to sister a 2x to each joist and attach the patch piece to those 2xs. You can still add 1x4s like the video if makes you feel better about the repair.

 

[mx13]

Where's the fun in that? The crunch of your leg going through the ceiling is too satisfying.

Glad you weren't hurt!

 

[CaptTom]

Glad you weren't hurt!

Ditto that! Could have been serious.

As kids we used to play in the attic of my cousin's house. The lath and plaster ceiling was clearly visible, and we knew to always step on the joists. But still, we were kids. I'm amazed we didn't ever misstep and go right through. I've been sort of paranoid about walking around attics ever since, which is probably a good thing.

 

[Clutchcargo]

Oh, everybody.... Was finishing up some duct work up in my attic for a new range hood this weekend, when I decided to take a different route in the attic than usual due to the amount of stuff I had in my hands. Managed to step on a loose board, and the rest is history.

LOL... that was exactly the catalyst for the start of my total home renovation project 10+ years ago and still going... Good Luck with the repair.

 

[MTN REMODEL LLC]

Probably should not admit this....but it was a long long time ago...

But we had sold our home to a corporate buyout program and were litterly in the midst of the moving company packing their truck.....when I went up in the attic for something and stepped right through the ceiling.

Luckily, I came through in a closet.

Without any tools available and all ready on the truck....I ran out and got some tape and a can of white spray paint..... pieced that drywall sort of together, and taped it up, again sort of as best as possible, hit it with spray paint and closed that closet door.

This is not the way you want to fix it. Wish I had a picture...but no time for that.

 

[Nealtw]

Bin there dun that. At about 10 years old.

 

[JBoot]

The Griswold's having an attic home inspection done:

 

[ChuckF.]

Tips? Get some cheap plywood 4x8's ripped into 16" at the home center, and use them to make walkways in your attic. Space them up as necessary to keep them above the insulation. Use deck screws and const adhesive.

 

[3onthetree]

What, repair? What's that saying about life handing you lemons? Well, you're halfway complete for doing one of these:

 

[AllanJ]

Check all those attic floorboards. Fasten them down to the joists as close to the ends as possible

You were lucky that the other end of the floorboard did not come up and smack you in the nose

 

[TRD_Power]

What, repair? What's that saying about life handing you lemons? Well, you're halfway complete for doing one of these:

You know what, that'd be a great idea for the attic. It'd pitch black up there, even during the daytime.

 

[Nealtw]

You know what, that'd be a great idea for the attic. It'd pitch black up there, even during the daytime.

That's not for attic light, it would be for the room below the hole you have now.

 

[TRD_Power]

That's not for attic light, it would be for the room below the hole you have now.

I know, but I was just saying it'd be a good idea for the attic since it's so dark up there with the one little light that's hooked up. I suppose I could always put some lighting in up there, which would probably be easier than drilling holes in the roof.

 

[mark sr]

Skylights can let in a lot of heat and have been known to leak as they age. I'd rather install extra lights.

 

[TRD_Power]

Well, I did it... But I want to do it again one day. I'd tear it all out now and give it another whirl, but I'm pretty sure my wife would switch the locks on the house if I did. I know where I messed up, got a little sloppy with the outline I traced and left a couple gaps around 1/2" on a couple sides. The sides where I had no gaps look great, but the notorious joint compound globs showed their ugly faces after everything. The pics attached aren't the best, but when the right light hits, you can definitely see where the work was done. First ever drywall cut/replace repair job, so I can't be TOO hard on myself, and it definitely beats having a hole in the ceiling. Next time, I'll just cut a bigger section out and really take my time. The texture is pretty spot on at least. Thanks for all the input!

 

[F250]

For a first-time effort, your repair looks good to me. I know what you mean about wishing you could do it again, but some things are not worth being good at!

I had to do the same thing this time two years ago. I had TWO large places to patch, though, because I stepped through the ceiling sheet rock twice while I was working for 3 months to renovate and floor the entire space above a vaulted ceiling living room. No one will ever step through that attic space again, now that it is solidly floored with 3/4 T&G subflooring (it's ready to be converted to a living space now, but it also now belongs to someone else since we sold the house and moved three states away).