Plaster board moving where the crack is – how should I secure it?
I am busy working on the downstairs of my house. There was wood panelling over the plasterboard. So, I am in the process of filling holes and such. Lo and behold, I came across a crack, that when I push on either side of it, the whole plastboard piece moves slightly (it is not like a hinge, but moves enough to for me to know that if I patch the crack, it might crack again). So how can I secure each of the pieces before I fix the crack? Thank you in advance.
Replies
David
Screw it.
Screws are what I was thinking as well, but just wanted to make sure. Even though it isn't drywall (plaster board from the 60's), it should work just the same?
David
Yes it should.
However, you need to take it slow or set your screw gun clutch to a light setting-the old board is more brittle, the paper not as strong. I'd start with 1-1/4" coarse thread-maybe use fine thread-perhaps have to move up to 1-5/8's if necessary.
If you have trouble-you might have better luck with drywall nails.
Same goes tho-a curved faced drywall hammer would be best to set the entire surface of the board (a dimple) that will fill easily with compound when finishing, while not bashing the shit outta the board.
I was thinking pilot holes in the drywall to start and yes you are ready, it is very brittle indeed. Now the crack is about 2 feet long, how much spacing should I put between screws?
David
Pilot holes? shouldn't be necessary.
How many-simple answer-enough to hold it firm.
Put them on opposite sides of each other-maybe every 6-8 inches.
Then, if you have some white or yellow glue-squirt,force,slather some of that into / on the crack. Don't leave a bunch on the board afterwards. If any gets in the crack-yeah. If not-no damage done.
Use fibreglass tape and the real Durabond setting compound.
or
paper tape and All purpose bucket mud.
ok?
ok, thank you Calvin.
David
If............
This doesn't work out for you to make the board solid, the best long lasting fix would be to cut out the bad board and install a new pc that isn't fractured.
The crack is there for a reason, perhaps settling of the framing. Sometimes / often, the crack will open up again because the board is too far gone to repair. If that's the case here-you'll need to replace that area.
If the thickness allows it, a reinforced drywall like 5/8ths Firecode would be the best bet. There is 1/2" Firecode (not sure if this has fibres in it like the 5/8ths. You'd only need to replace an area maybe 6-12" bigger than the fractured area.
Keep it simple.
Hang a mirror over it.