Thread: Ceiling screws popping

Hi.
Ceiling in living room was sagging. Inspection of roof space revealed nothing much. After reading on internet wonder if moisture and lack of air flow in roof space was causing a problem?
Anyway looking at ceiling from roof space showed that but the stud adhesive had broken.

So we fixed the ceiling by re screwing it with lots of 32mm screws (screws spaced at 100 to 150mm apart). All seemed to be fine so we patched over the screws.

Now a few weeks later we have this funny screw marks showing thru! See photo. About 10 screws of the hundred or more that we fixed have done this. Very frustrating. What is this caused from? and how do we stop it from happening again? And what might be best way to fix it?

Your advise very much appreciated. Thanks.

Is this what happens when you screw into the plasterboard cement/adhesive?
Screw and adhesive should be separate.

Screws will do this if drilled through the glue. The drying glue tends to pull the sheet (marginally) closer to the ceiling joists leaving the screw where it was. However I am not sure if this could be the problem in this case as it was an existing ceiling repair (unless glue was inserted between the sheet and joists).
Is it possible that they are the older nails?

Thanks for your responses. Yep did inadvertently put some screws thru the adhesive.
Hmm so now wondering what you suggest is best / easiest way to fix it? Will more screws start popping? Or now that adhesive has dried is that it? Thanks again for any suggestions.

Maybe screw them in further? Now that the glue has cured it may not pull the plaster toward the ceiling anymore??

Originally Posted by sophie and Sam

Thanks for your responses. Yep did inadvertently put some screws thru the adhesive.
Hmm so now wondering what you suggest is best / easiest way to fix it? Will more screws start popping? Or now that adhesive has dried is that it? Thanks again for any suggestions.

Once the glue dries no more screws should pop. The ones through the adhesive can just be re-plastered over

Originally Posted by goldie1

Once the glue dries no more screws should pop. The ones through the adhesive can just be re-plastered over

No you can't just replaster over popped screws. You must always put a new screw in either side of the popped screw then I prefer to remove the popped screw, but tightening it will also do. Now you can stop up the screw heads.

Originally Posted by Rod Dyson

No you can't just replaster over popped screws. You must always put a new screw in either side of the popped screw then I prefer to remove the popped screw, but tightening it will also do. Now you can stop up the screw heads.

Rod if the adhesive is now dry and I would assume is holding why put in another screw ?

Originally Posted by goldie1

Rod if the adhesive is now dry and I would assume is holding why put in another screw ?

There are several reasons.

The screw head is slighly sticking out and has to be nipped up or if a nail hammered up this often breaks the board surface and another screw is required.

The screw doesn't always pop due to going glue there are many other reasons all requiring re-screwing.