Removing a plasterboard ceiling: a step-by-step guide

Plasterboard suspended ceilings are a common version of the ceiling surface. It hides the flaws of the rough finish well and does not need painstaking care. But there is a situation when the established plasterboard sheets are required to be dismantled. To do this, you will have to not only remove the cut drywall, but also disassemble the frame. In this article I will tell you how to do it correctly and accurately.

Dismantling the plasterboard ceiling

Parsing is always much easier than the installation itself. But here, too, there are subtleties to quickly and without damage to remove materials and bases.

When dismantling is required

Sometimes reinstalling is simply necessary. This happens for a number of reasons:

1. Renovation repair. The design of the room requires alterations, including the change of the ceiling. It can be either a new structure made of gypsum plasterboard, or a tension or rack profile.
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2. Flooding by neighbors from above. In this case, drywall is almost completely unusable. Reusing it is unlikely to work.
3. Temperature changes. A change in the indoor climate leads to swelling or deformation of the ceiling. If damage is found, you will have to dismantle it.
4. Non-professionalism of builders. Violation of the spacing between the bearing profiles leads to the loss of the geometry of the structure. Because of this, after a short time, rather large and very noticeable cracks appear on the surface.

All these reasons sooner or later lead to reinstallation. And the first step to a new ceiling will be to dismantle the old one.

Required tool

For work you will need professional equipment. However, all the attributes are likely to be found in the arsenal of a self-respecting owner of the house:

• screwdriver;
• sharp construction knife;
• ladder;
• brush;
• spatulas of different widths;
• screwdrivers of different shapes and sizes;
• convenient container for water.

You can also use plastic wrap to cover furniture and floors. This will help protect against dirt and dust inevitable during work.

Armed with tools and theoretical knowledge, we proceed to dismantle the plasterboard ceiling.

Possible difficulties

The main disadvantage is the high location of the structure. Usually you can't reach him from the floor. It is better to start removing with an assistant, especially if you want to save the drywall sheets for later use.

It is also more convenient to disassemble the frame together. Yes, and dust in this case will be several times less.

Step by step guide

To carefully disassemble the plasterboard suspended ceiling, only two steps are required: remove the sheets and frame.

Removing sheets of plasterboard

To correctly and accurately remove the cut materials, follow the instructions:

• dismantle lighting devices, having previously turned them off;
• remove all decorative ceiling trim;
• clean the sheets from the layer of plaster covering them - it is more convenient to do this with a spatula, having previously moistened the plastered surface with water;
• cut the seams between the sheets, but keep in mind that the seams are closed with a special tape - "serpyanka";
• turn out the screws - it is better to do this with an assistant who will hold the released edge of the sheet, which will prevent breaks.

In general, everything is simple. If the work is done together, there will be no difficulty.

Disassembling the frame

After removing the sheets of gypsum board, the base is disassembled. It is worth paying attention: if a new plasterboard ceiling is installed, do not touch the guides. Leaving it in place is recommended if it is in good condition and meets the parameters of the new finish.

Cleaning is carried out in the following sequence:

• eliminate jumpers;
• remove the main profiles;
• dismantle the guides that are attached to the walls.

The disassembly sequence is the reverse of the frame assembly process.

Can the sheets be reused

In theory, if, during dismantling, the sheets were carefully removed without damaging, reuse is possible. But usually cannot be saved. In addition, rarely, during the installation process, a person has a clear idea of ​​the future structure.

Sheets are usually just thrown away or used in other areas, such as a garage or country house.

Dismantling the plasterboard ceiling is easy to do yourself. Moreover do it neatly, with a minimum amount of debris and dust. But if you are not confident in your abilities, we recommend that you entrust this work to professionals.