SAGGING CEILING REPAIRS CAIRNS

A sagging ceiling will not only look unsightly, but it can also be a severe safety hazard.

Your ceiling may be sagging, and if it is, you'll need to do some maintenance on them. The sooner you can identify that your ceilings are beginning to sag, the cheaper and more straightforward the repair will be.

Cairns Plaster Professionals provide high-quality plastering services to help you repair your sagging ceilings in Cairns QLD. Our expert plasterers are experienced in all sagging ceiling repairs and work efficiently to get your job done quickly and effectively at an affordable price.

Call us today on (07) 4243 6090 to arrange a free quote for sagging ceiling repair services in Cairns.

Sagging ceilings are common in even new homes

You might be surprised to learn that sagging ceilings are becoming a common issue, not only with older homes but equally with newer homes alike. It occurs when the method of fixing the plasterboard or Gyprock to the ceiling joists or battens has started to fail. 

When even one small section of plasterboard starts to sag, the effect snowballs and it's a vicious cycle ...

Plasterboard is held in place with a combination of stud adhesive and either nails or screws; however, if these fixings start failing for any number of reasons - from incorrect original installation to water/humidity ingress into the ceiling space to foundational issues, then your plasterboard/Gyprock ceiling surface may be at risk of sagging against its own weight as well as other factors which can create even more stress on an already weakened area. It only takes a small section of plasterboard to come free from its fixings, which adds more load to the fixings around it. Over time, more fixings will let go, and it will become a vicious cycle. From below, you'll notice sagging on ceilings that can eventually lead to an entire section coming down.

Excess weight puts a lot of pressure on plasterboard. If just one sheet is weakened, the other boards will have to pick up some slack and inevitably, they'll give way too!

Act quickly when you notice a sagging plasterboard ceiling

You don't have to live with the anxiety of a sagging plasterboard ceiling in Cairns. How long will it stay put? Will it get worse?

A drooping ceiling can not only be an eyesore but also jeopardise your safety and that of those living with you. If you notice any signs or symptoms, it is best to get on top of them as soon as possible by getting reliable, affordable, high-quality sagging ceiling repair services from Cairns Plaster Professionals.

We specialise in the repair of any plasterboard ceiling in the Cairns and Far North Queensland area.

Cairns Plaster Professionals carries out repairs to sagging plasterboard and Gyprock ceilings throughout the Cairns QLD region in these suburbs:

WHY CHOOSE US?

What are the specific causes of a sagging plasterboard ceiling?

There are many possible causes for a sagging plasterboard ceiling. In some cases, it could be an indicator of serious underlying issues such as structural movement in the building or a termite infestation, or even a water leak.

Poor installation workmanship:

From a construction standpoint, several factors can cause ceilings to sag. One is the quality of workmanship exhibited during the initial construction of the ceiling.  If the adhesive was left to dry on the ceiling battens too much before the plasterboard sheet was installed, it will skin over and cause improper bonding. If the adhesive was installed too close to the fixing screws, this can also pose a problem. These issues can be alleviated by choosing experienced contractors when building your property; however, this is of no benefit if the property is pre-existing and you're stuck with the problem now.

Foundational issues:

Environmental factors such as stability of the soil and foundations can be a contributing factor causing ceilings to sag. If you have unstable foundations, sinking or shifting happens as a result (as buildings do settle into their surroundings over time). Instability will lead not only to cracking along plasterboard joins but sagging as well, so keep these things in mind before deciding who should build your new home's foundation!

Humidity or water ingress:

If humidity or water accesses the ceiling space, the paper face on the rear of the plasterboard ceiling sheets become soft and weakened. This results in the weight of the plasterboard pulling the adhesive from the rear of the sheet therefore causing it to detach from the ceiling battens. When one section lets go, it puts more stress on surrounding sections which in turn let go also.

How can you tell your ceilings are sagging?

One telltale sign of a sagging ceiling is clearly seeing pronounced 'V-shaped' channels where the plasterboard joints are. This indicates the fixings in the centre of the plasterboard sheets have let go and will need quick attention from an expert before it worsens!

An additional way to tell if you have a sagging ceiling is by pushing the plasterboard ceiling upwards. If you see movement or if screws/ nails/fixings become noticeable through the plasterboard's surface, that means there are gaps in between the battens and the back of the plasterboard sheet, indicating some sagging is occurring.

Telltale signs of a sagging ceiling are:

• Large or small cracks visible in your ceiling or cornice
• Visible lines along the joins of the plasterboard sheets
• Screw or nail holes showing
• Noticeable bowing in the ceiling
• Visible gaps between ceiling and battens when viewed from above in the roof space
• Pushing on sections of your ceiling and noticing movement
• Creaks and groaning noises

To detect potential ceiling sagging, measure the height from ground level up to the upper cornice line and then compare it with measurements in different room parts. If you find a difference between your two heights, take this to indicate that one section may be slouching lower than the other.

If your ceiling gets to the point where you can see a noticeable convex bow in the ceiling, it is possible that sagging has reached an advanced level and should be addressed as soon as possible.

What is the cost to have a sagging ceiling repaired in Cairns QLD?

When determining the extent of damages, it is difficult to produce an accurate estimate without examining the damaged ceiling. Once this has been quantified and we have gained more information about what needs repairing, we can come up with a solution together and provide you with an obligation free quote.

The price will depend on the extent of damage suffered by it, the area of plasterboard affected, the height of the ceiling, whether the ceiling is on the rake, accessibility etc. Using an experienced sagging ceiling repair service like Cairns Plaster Professionals can offer you peace of mind knowing we'll not only meet but exceed the relevant Australian Standards and workmanship required.

How we repair a sagging plasterboard ceiling in Cairns:

There are four different methods we employ for fixing sagging plasterboard or Gyprock ceilings. The method of repair will depend on the magnitude of the sag (i.e. the distance from the ceiling to the ceiling joist or battens) and how long the ceiling has been sagging.

1. The first method simply involves re-screwing the plasterboard to the ceiling battens at intervals of every 300mm. This method is only effective where there has been a minimal amount of sagging which has been addressed quickly. When the sag is too far advanced, screws will not exert enough pressure on the plasterboard sheet and will simply pull through the paper's face on the sheet when screwed in.
2. This particular method is for plasterboard ceilings that can't be pulled back into shape with screws alone but has still been caught reasonably early. It involves affixing temporary timber battens to the underside face of the plasterboard to correct any sagging, which will return the plasterboard surface to its standard flat shape. The sheeting is left in this state for usually about a week or so before re-screwing the sheet back to the battens. If any joints have been affected during the surface, they'll need filling too.
3. The third process is to pull down the entire old plasterboard ceiling and cornice and start from scratch for ceilings that are too distorted to be fixed by either of the first two methods above. 
4. The fourth method is to replace the ceiling by installing permanent timber or metal battens under the old plasterboard and install a new plasterboard ceiling underneath. This saves time and money by not having to remove and dispose of the existing plasterboard. Additionally, you will enjoy increased insulation benefits with the existing ceiling left as is with this method. Bear in mind, however, that you will lose about 40mm in ceiling height with this method.

All four methods above require painting, often of the whole area to achieve a seamless finish.

Remember that if you install a new ceiling, an electrician will need to remove and refit any electrical fittings in the room, such as lights or ceiling fans, which will need to be factored into your budget.

In need of a plasterer to repair a sagging ceiling in Cairns, contact the experts at Cairns Plaster Professionals ...

If you've noticed that your ceilings are sagging, it may be time to call in a qualified ceiling professional. Cairns Plaster Professionals can assess the situation and recommend an appropriate solution for repairing your ceiling.

As the old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." It may seem like just another bump in the road to you now, but repairing your sagging ceiling before it does any more damage can save you from hefty repair costs and potential injury down the line. To prevent this problem from escalating into an even bigger disaster down the track, call Cairns Plaster Professionals for help with your sagging ceiling today!