Removing a plasterboard ceiling

Suspended plasterboard ceilings are a common type of ceiling surface. It hides imperfections in the rough finish well and does not require painstaking care. But a situation occurs when the installed GKL sheets need 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 this competently and accurately.

Dismantling gypsum board ceiling

Disassembly is always much simpler than the installation itself. But here, too, there are some subtleties in order to quickly and without damage remove materials and base.

When dismantling is required

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

1. Repair update. The design of the room requires alterations, including changing the ceiling. This can be either a new design made of gypsum plasterboard, or a tension or rack profile.
2. Flooding by neighbors above. In this case, the drywall becomes almost completely unusable. It is unlikely to be reused.
3. Temperature changes. Changes in the indoor microclimate lead to swelling or deformation of the ceiling. If damage is detected, dismantling will have to be carried out.
4. Lack of professionalism of builders. Violation of the interval between load-bearing profiles leads to loss of structure geometry.Because of this, after a short time, quite large and very noticeable cracks appear on the surface.

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

Necessary tool

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

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

Plastic film will also come in handy to cover furniture and floors. This will help protect against dirt and dust that is inevitable during work.

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

Possible difficulties

The main inconvenience is the high location of the structure. Usually there's no way to reach it from the floor. It is better to start removal with an assistant, especially if you want to save the plasterboard sheets for later use.

It is also more convenient to disassemble the frame with two people. And in this case there will be much less dust.

Step by step guide

To carefully disassemble a plasterboard suspended ceiling, You only need two steps: remove the sheets and frame.

Removing gypsum board sheets

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

• dismantle lighting fixtures, having first 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 first moistened the plastered surface with water;
• cut the seams between the sheets, but keep in mind that the seams are covered with a special tape - “serpyanka”;
• remove the screws - it is better to do this with an assistant who will hold the freed edge of the sheet, which will prevent breaks.

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

Frame disassembly

After removing the gypsum board sheets, the base is dismantled. It is worth paying attention: if a new plasterboard ceiling is installed, the guides are not touched. It is recommended to leave it in place if it is in good condition and meets the specifications of a new finish.

Cleaning is carried out in the following sequence:

• eliminate jumpers;
• remove main profiles;
• dismantle the guides that are fixed 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 them, reuse is possible. But Usually it is not possible to save. In addition, rarely during the installation process does a person have a clear idea of ​​the future design.

The sheets are usually simply thrown away or used in other rooms, for example in the garage or in the country house.

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