Walls and Ceilings - 1/2" DRYWALL ON CEILING..POSSIBLE SAG?

I have a section of a ceiling soffit that will have 3ft. between screws. Will 1/2" drywall sag over that 3 ft. run? Thank you.

DIYER,

Yep, over time!

Add an additional blocker.

1/2" should be used if 16" O.C. if there is no fire protection above this soffit, 5/8" can be used up to 24" O.C. but no more.

Hope this helps!

DIYER,

Yep, over time!

Add an additional blocker.

1/2" should be used if 16" O.C. if there is no fire protection above this soffit, 5/8" can be used up to 24" O.C. but no more.

Hope this helps!
Helps alot. Thanks for your time.

DIYER,

You're welcome!

How wide is the soffit?

The soffit will have a total width of 7 1/2 inches. Both ends will of drywall will be screwed. I have two (i originally thought 1) additional areas to screw into.
To sum up....I will have screw at one end....another screw about 21" from there.....another screw 33" from there.....and the last screw will be 36" from there. I think i need to redo the soffit.

Wont you have an inside nailer and an outside one 7 1/2 inches away?

DIYER,

If there is a nailer and I assume there is, no sag will occur, especially with only a 7 1/2" strip!

I was under the assumption that the "soffit" was larger. 33" between 2x and if it was 16" O.C. I could see a sag but not with this.

Hope this helps!

I SCREWED UP WHEN I WAS TYPING. THE SOFFIT IS 7 1/2 FEET. NOT INCHES. SORRY FOR THE MISTAKE. 7 1/2 FEET. :wall:

Then you definitely need to rebuild for 16"o.c. or 24"oc with 5/8 rock. It will sag otherwise.

Related question pertaining to a soffit.

Will 1x2’s over a span of about 5 feet with 16inch O.C. prevent sagging when using ½ inch rock?

thanks for any help.

smedley,

A little light to span 5 feet.

Am I right in assuming you have little room to install 2x stock?

Hey Doug thanks!! for the quick reply.

It’s a corner of the basement, where space Is limited. We’re trying to maximize the ceiling height by 2x3’s on the sides and 1x2’s on the bottoms of the soffit.
This would be for only a portion of the ceiling, where soffited. <-(is that a word?)

We’ve done this before, but not over a span of 5 or more feet.

So your thinking is that it wont work over this span, on 16oc’s. How bout 12oc’s.?

Thanks for all the help.

smedley,

You're welcome.

Go 12" O.C.. I am not totally satisfied with this arrangement but when you are trying to save on headroom, alternatives must be made.

If possible, going 2x stock 16" O.C. would be best - I really can't justify not doing it this way - it's only 3/4" of an inch difference but you are the deciding factor in this one.

Hope this helps!

It does!!

We're still almost there, so the outside advice helps a great deal.

:thinker: :thinker:

Smedley,

Glad it helps!

Did you look at this,

http://dougaphs.smugmug.com/gallery/458998

I do mention use of 1x stock.

Hope this helps!

Wow!! Now that’s a work of art! Now if only I could get my work to look half as good.

Well, I’m sure we’ll do the best we can with a little help and advice from folks like you.

Thanks!! again for all of your input. This site is unbelievable for us DIY’rs.