Walls and Ceilings - Tear out bathroom ceiling or drywall over it?
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Milemaker13
10-20-09, 05:55 PM
When we remodel the bathroom this winter can we just drywall over the old plaster ceiling? It gets mildew or mold on it after awhile and we go up and scrub it off w/ cleaner. I don't want to tear it down mainly because of the attic insulation above it... its all loose fill.
We would strip the paint off and/or bleach the surface very well, then drywall over using green drywall. We are adding a nice high CFM exhaust fan to the bathroom also.
Will we have recurring mold or mildew issues if we don't rip out the ceiling?
We would strip the paint off and/or bleach the surface very well, then drywall over using green drywall. We are adding a nice high CFM exhaust fan to the bathroom also.
Will we have recurring mold or mildew issues if we don't rip out the ceiling?
marksr
10-21-09, 05:07 AM
I wouldn't think you would need to strip the paint although you need to kill/remove all the mildew/mold. As long as the mold originates from the bath room [not from above] there shouldn't be any problems laminating the ceiling with drywall. Don't forget to use screws long enough to penetrate the plaster so they can secure the drywall to the ceiling joists.
Personally I wouldn't use the greenboard. Regular drywall will do just fine as long as it's prime and then painted with a coat or 2 of latex enamel, preferably a kitchen and bath enamel. Greenboard doesn't paint as well as the other forms of drywall.
Personally I wouldn't use the greenboard. Regular drywall will do just fine as long as it's prime and then painted with a coat or 2 of latex enamel, preferably a kitchen and bath enamel. Greenboard doesn't paint as well as the other forms of drywall.
tightcoat
10-21-09, 10:39 AM
Unless there is some other compelling reason to remove the plaster, leave it up. Drywall is more mold prone than plaster. And if you do get mold in the drywall it's harder to deal with.
Wayne Mitchell
10-21-09, 10:53 AM
Mark - Do you think 3/8" drywall screwed and glued on 16" OC joists would be adequate if their ceiling is solid?
marksr
10-21-09, 12:40 PM
When I was younger I would have said no but as my body ages I'm seeing more benifits to 3/8" drywall :D
As long as the ceiling is straight, I don't forsee any problems using 3/8" as long as it is screwed AND glued.
As long as the ceiling is straight, I don't forsee any problems using 3/8" as long as it is screwed AND glued.
Milemaker13
10-23-09, 11:17 AM
When we re did the bathroom in our previous old house, we completely moved it (back to where it was supposed to be!). We put the ceiling up as 5/8 green drywall. Man, that was heavy stuff!
I would definatly rather use 3/8 or 1/2 this time. If I leave the plaster up, I don't think I need to worry about fire codes, that is why we used the 5/8 in the other house.
Do you guys recomend using the dead man braces made of 2x4s? I rather not rent a jack for a small job like this.
I would definatly rather use 3/8 or 1/2 this time. If I leave the plaster up, I don't think I need to worry about fire codes, that is why we used the 5/8 in the other house.
Do you guys recomend using the dead man braces made of 2x4s? I rather not rent a jack for a small job like this.
tightcoat
10-23-09, 11:40 AM
Is there room in the bathroom to use a helper? There shouldn't be any full 8' sheets. Two men of about equal height should be able to do this. Otherwise yes use "T" braces but be careful. Don't let one fall and leave you holding more weight than you are ready for or fall and hit you.