What to Do When Your Ceiling Is Letting Go From the Rafters?

Diagnose the Problem

• A ceiling may sag down after letting go from the rafters to which it's attached for several reasons. Improper installation, such as nails that are too short or too few in number, will allow the weight of the ceiling to pull itself downward over time. If fire or water exposure damage your roof's rafters, they may expand or soften and release nails that hold the ceiling in place. Moisture can also cause drywall ceilings to expand and sag.

Take Safety Precautions

• A ceiling that has just begun to let go from the rafters does not necessarily present an immediate safety threat. Small cracks in the ceiling's finish, cracks where the ceiling meets the upper walls and visible sagging are the first signs of trouble. If ceiling panels come loose in multiple places or across large areas, clear out the room and exercise caution when you work under them. You can also brace loose panels with T-braces made from lumber to prevent them from suddenly falling.

Replace Ceiling Materials

• The proper repairs will depend on the reason the ceiling is letting go from the rafters. Damaged rafters require removal of the ceiling panels, insulation and, in some cases, exterior roofing. Once solid rafters are in place, you can reattach the ceiling panels or hang new drywall. Reinstall insulation. In cases of isolated problems, you may be able to fix a ceiling that is letting go simply by adding nails.

Refinish the Ceiling

• Even if your ceiling only lets go from the rafters in one isolated place, it may still cause visible damage in the paint or plaster ceiling surface. Refinishing the surface may be required to cover up your repairs. If you add nails, use joint compound to cover their heads and smooth out any indentations from hammering. Use the same compound to fill seams between sheets of ceiling drywall. Several coats of interior paint, or a new application of plaster, should cover the compound and eliminate signs of repair.