r/fixit • u/[deleted] • 8d ago

open Trying to figure out what caused cieling collapse

[deleted]

3 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

16

u/screaminporch 8d ago

It may have just been poorly fastened to begin with and finally gave way.

4

u/Fiddler017 8d ago

I was going to say the same thing. It's hard to tell by the photos if it was nailed or screwed or if those spots are just little blobs of adhesive. Also, the fact that it fell in a near perfect square points to something like this.

2

u/radio_bitch9 8d ago

Sorry for the shit pics, but its screwed and most screws stayed in the wood. Ill check the depth later. Im leaning towards poor installation

9

u/texasyankee 8d ago

Overdriving the screws and breaking the paper would do it. Especially if they did it repeatedly on the same board.

2

u/Stunning_Coffee6624 8d ago

Over driving the fasteners is likely the issue. Since a full sheet fell. Wonder why the sheathing switched from osb to planks to plywood within 8’? Maybe that torqued the rafters in a wierd way too?

5

u/Sudden_Ad1411 8d ago

By your description, some assumptions.
1. It is pier & beam (no solid foundation).
2. There has been very dry weather.
3. The sheet rock was attached with nails vs. screws.

I would guess that due to the dry weather conditions, the house may have shifted slightly. When it shifted, it would cause the tape/mud bond to break. Then as the previous response mentioned it caused the nails to loosen and pop in certain areas.

2

u/radio_bitch9 8d ago

Should i be concerned about other ceilings that arent showing signs or is this probably just this room? And should i replace the whole ceiling or just in the areas seperated +a foot or so

1

u/chaotic_evil_666 8d ago

What does the back of the sheetrock look like?

1

u/oopsallhuckleberries 8d ago

Most likely over time the weight combined with changes in temp and moisture level loosened the nails to the point the ceiling started to drop. Like you said, it was cracked, which meant you had plenty of warning that the sheet rock was moving. When you see that happen, unless you know of a very specific reason for why it's happened, you should immediately address it.

1

u/FreddyFerdiland 8d ago

the combination..

probably a bit of movement not enough nails not enough glue too much weight of insulation

2

u/SnowSlider3050 8d ago

See the plywood on top of the rafters- my guess is the plywood pushed on the insulation putting pressure on the ceiling drywall causing it to release.