Walls and Ceilings - Bathroom Ceiling

A couple of years ago we needed to replace a bathroom fan, and for some reason my husband then decided that the entire ceiling needed to come down and be replaced and that he would be the one to do it.
To try and make a long story short, he put the material up for the ceiling ( think it might be called greenboard?) but the house is 130 years old and not square in any way shape or form so he had trouble getting it even and there were fairly large spaces between some of the pieces of greenboard. (up to an inch or more in some places)
Fast forward to this day and it still sits that way, it never got taped or plastered or anything, so I have decided to try and figure it out for myself before calling someone in that we can't afford....
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to fill those cracks between the board so that I can then tape it and at least get it to look halfway presentable?
And comments about getting him to finish up the job, well, let's just say I've tried in a million different ways and am ready to just go rent a room! LOL
I can send pictures after I get home from work if that would help...
Thanks!

Welcome to the forums!

Pics always help :D

Some of the wide gaps will need prefilling [possibly inserting a thin piece of drywall] before taping. I like to use a setting compound like durabond to prefill wide gaps but joint compound will work [might take longer]

It isn't an overly complicated job and I'm sure you can get good results with a little instruction.

Thanks for replying, here is one picture if I can get it to work right. The more I look at it, the more I just want to rip the whole thing down! :D
please excuse the strange floral border, it's been there since we moved in and I have yet to paint it...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c289/celticross17/Picture001.jpg

Take it all down.

You should try and shim those ceiling joists or install new to make them nice and true. Once you get that done, sheetrock will go on much easier. Also cut the new drywall with a nice sharp blade and make sure to cut all the way through the paper backing so it's not to tear.

Ya, it would definetly be easier to finish if it was took down and hung correctly. If you opt to go with what you have, you will probably need a heavy texture after finishing the drywall to get it to look ok.

My sentiments exactly "take it all down"... :wall:
Thanks for the replies, the advice is much appreciated!

Take it down and before you put up new pieces make sure all the old screws and nails are out of the joists or driven flush. Find the longest wall and do some geometry to get a good fit. Use the 3-4-5 or 6-6-10 formula to find out which corners are square. Use pieces as large as you can manage. Maybe get some help to put them up.

If you put up new, well fitting rock then taping and finishing won't seem like such an overwhelming task.

ok sorry but i have to say it.... 2 eight foot sheets costing $11 will save yourself a million dollars of agony:D Yes of course take it down. Put the tapered edges together.

Yes, I know the geometric formula and the Pythagorean theorum. I just made a typo in the post above and corrected it here.


Take it down and before you put up new pieces make sure all the old screws and nails are out of the joists or driven flush. Find the longest wall and do some geometry to get a good fit. Use the 3-4-5 or 6-8-10 formula to find out which corners are square. Use pieces as large as you can manage. Maybe get some help to put them up.

If you put up new, well fitting rock then taping and finishing won't seem like such an overwhelming task.