Hi I’m wanting to patch up this hole in my ceiling in a small room (laundry room). The hole used to be smaller but the drywall around it had been damaged by water and was sagging so I tore it down. I was about to put in new drywall but my mom texted this handyman guy friend of hers and he replied (after 2 days) saying that I can’t just put it in because “the truss has to be jacked up”. I have no idea what that means. The guy does meth so I can’t really rely on him for help. Can someone explain the steps I need to take to replace the drywall? If I need additional tools my budget is like $70 so maybe I can rent something. Help me bros I’m retarded!!!
Also that piece of wood that’s attached with L brackets, I put that in myself. I thought maybe it was needed for additional support because originally I wasn’t going to go all the way to where the vent is.
You're not going to be able to match the texture for $70. So put that on the back burner. The installer that can isn't asking any questions. A sheet of drywall, screws, paper tape, joint compound, and 4" knife get you most of the way.
>>2991253I’m not concerned with the texture or even paint. I just want to patch the hole up because hot air is coming through it (I live in Arizona).
The hole is about 35x39”. My plan was to cut the drywall slightly wider about 35 1/2” then push it up and slide one side into the gap between the wall and the truss then push the other end up the same way so that both sides rest on the wall. That should hold it up in place right? Then I just nail it to the trusses. Is that going to work or do I need some kind of a contraption to hold it up? Pls advise.Also I don’t know if I maybe should take down more of the old drywall because it’s crumbling around the vent. Then again I have no idea how it’s installed around the vent and I probably wouldn’t be able to cut it properly for the hole because I only have a hand saw. Maybe just patch the area around the vent with some joint compound? Lastly, the original drywall was nailed but should I use screws instead?
If the roof is still leaking, drywall isn't going to last long at all. Otherwise, you just cut the new patch slightly smaller and let the paper tape and compound work the transitions. Screws, nails, or pl400 all work. Anybody can hang rock.
>>2991264The roof has been patched up with tarp and isn't leaking anymore. Should I get this to hold the drywall in place while i'm hammering in the nails? I dunno how else it's gonna stay in place. https://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-1-support-cargo-bar-66172.html
>>2991251Hey I gotchu man. Please don't let your mom call the methhead... there are no trusses in either of your pics so he's trying to scam you. First measure the drywall thickness, 1/2 or 5/8 is typical, then get your drywall. Shouldn't be more than $17. You mentioned it is crumbling around the vent, make sure you clean up ALL of the loose paper and gypsum with a scraper, mud knife, chisel, high grit sandpaper or whatever you got. Just make sure there is nothing loose still there. Then cut your drywall 1/8" SHORT ( do not cut it long as you mentioned) on all sides. You can then install it by first screwing in a wood pice to the joist bordering the wall (horizontal wood framing member, I repeat it is not a truss). Reference pic rel, you are patching a small piece so ignore the "dont" clickbait
>>2991251Grab your screwdriver and drywall screws. Make sure they are coarse thread (pic rel) and not fine thread which are for steel studs. Use at least 1 5/8". Hold up your patch and slot it into the holder board you just put up. Make sure there is an equal gap around all 4 sides of the patch.
>>2991251You will probably need to hold the patch with one hand and both the screw and driver with the other (very hard) or use some temporary duct tape. Once you get the patch slotted into place and fitted tape the other side to the ceiling temporarily. Then screw the patch into the joists (horizontal wood members), and make sure you follow pic rel for proper screw depth. This is critical for the durability of the patch. Then remove the tape and the holder board you put up earlier. According to the goal of the repair your posts have scoped you are now done.
>>2991251If you then want to complete the patch, get a 6" drywall knife, and you will probably also need an interior corner knife. Get them from the drywall aisle not the paint aisle of your hardware store. Also get pic rel (least amount of drywall mud you can buy, since your on a budget). This is also in the drywall aisle and not the paint aisle. Don't use spackle. You will also need regular paper drywall tape. Watch this guy's videos (1 through 3) then just do what he says (except for the mixing different mud parts, since you got the pre mix patch kit cuz budget). To texture the ceiling get a 1/2 nap paint roller then just kinda dab it on the ceiling in random orientations until it blends in. Then paint. Can't help you past that. Good luck OP!
>>2991302Oops forgot vid: https://youtu.be/EASP7bIkk0k?si=fst1_L7XvT8rNLGC
>>2991251Ok upon closer inspection there are trusses in your picture, but they should not require jacked up as they don't appear damaged (trusses are self supporting). Just make sure you kill all the mold on the wood before you do the patch, and get an exhaust fan in there ASAP to prevent further issues (although the dry Arizona air works in your favor)
>>2991297hey bro. this is really helpful, i can see that you know what you're talking abouthowever in the meantime my mom actually had the meth guy come over to show me what he meant and i believe that he might be onto something. i also don't think he wants our money because he owes us for us letting him sleep on our couch for a month.in that dark spot on the roof in the OP picture, that's where most of the water damage is located and apparently it has caused the roof to sag. he showed me outside that the tiles on the roof in that spot curve inwards, so yeah it definitely sags. he thinks it's a bad idea to put in drywall now with that part of the roof sagging. he's gone now and i didn't really ask him why, i'm just assuming it might make the ceiling crack?anyways he said that he can come over some other time and help me fix it, he said he'll use a floor jack to prop the roof upwards then we put a 2x4 between the truss and that piece of wood, or something like that.after that i'm going to use your guide to put in the drywall, because you laid it pretty clearly to me. thanks bro.
