How to Put Sheetrock on a Ceiling Over the Plaster

Mark the joists in the ceiling with your electronic studfinder, level and pencil. Draw lines completely across the ceiling to denote the position of the joists.

Measure the ceiling from one corner outward along the wall that's perpendicular to the joists, to make sure the edge of an 8-foot piece of sheetrock will line up with the middle of a joist.

Cut a piece of sheetrock, if necessary, by scoring and snapping it with your utility knife. The sheet should be sized so that when it's hung starting at the corner, the far end will sit along the middle of a joist.

Apply carpenter's glue to the back of the piece of sheetrock, running it in beads all over the surface and within an inch or two of the edges.

Hold the sheetrock up to the ceiling, with the help of an assistant and two ladders. If you had to cut the sheetrock, set the cut side toward the wall at the end of the ceiling and the finished side along the marked joist. Secure the piece with drywall screws every foot or so, driving them in with your screwgun.

Install the rest of the sheetrock the same way, butting them against each other in courses. Stagger the ends of the sheetrock along alternating joists from course to course, so there are no four-way lines.

Put mesh drywall tape over the seams. Spread joint compound on the tape with a taping knife. Let it dry, sand it lightly, the put on a second layer. Repeat the process three times, getting the seams smooth and flat. Paint the ceiling.