I need to find out how thick the ceiling drywalls are so that I can get
the screws of the right size. Does anyone know of a good way to do it?

"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:c%Q8f.13665$ti.5627@trnddc02...
I need to find out how thick the ceiling drywalls are so that I can get
the screws of the right size. Does anyone know of a good way to do it?

There are only 3 possible sizes. 3/8, .50, .625.

Buy 1.625"(1 5/8) screws and they will work with whatever you have.

Colbyt

"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:c%Q8f.13665$ti.5627@trnddc02...
I need to find out how thick the ceiling drywalls are so that I can get the
screws of the right size. Does anyone know of a good way to do it?

Remove the cover plate or shroud for a lighting fixture, wall outlet or
other electrical device.

You should be able to see the thickness of the dry wall along the side of
the electrical box.

First, turn off the electricity at the fuse box/circuit breaker for safety.

TKM

Colbyt wrote:
"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:c%Q8f.13665$ti.5627@trnddc02...

I need to find out how thick the ceiling drywalls are so that I can get
the screws of the right size. Does anyone know of a good way to do it?

There are only 3 possible sizes. 3/8, .50, .625.

Buy 1.625"(1 5/8) screws and they will work with whatever you have.

Thanks. Is there any downside to using longer screws than necessary?

TKM wrote:

Remove the cover plate or shroud for a lighting fixture, wall outlet or
other electrical device.

You should be able to see the thickness of the dry wall along the side of
the electrical box.

First, turn off the electricity at the fuse box/circuit breaker for safety.

That's a good tip. Thanks.

If you mean longer than 1.625", you shouldn't because you would then
increase odds
of running a screw into cables, plumbing, etc.

Bill


"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:kuR8f.4276$kj6.2194@trndny03...
Colbyt wrote:
"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:c%Q8f.13665$ti.5627@trnddc02...

I need to find out how thick the ceiling drywalls are so that I can get
the screws of the right size. Does anyone know of a good way to do it?

There are only 3 possible sizes. 3/8, .50, .625.

Buy 1.625"(1 5/8) screws and they will work with whatever you have.

Thanks. Is there any downside to using longer screws than necessary?

"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:kuR8f.4276$kj6.2194@trndny03...
Colbyt wrote:
"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:c%Q8f.13665$ti.5627@trnddc02...

I need to find out how thick the ceiling drywalls are so that I can get
the screws of the right size. Does anyone know of a good way to do it?

There are only 3 possible sizes. 3/8, .50, .625.

Buy 1.625"(1 5/8) screws and they will work with whatever you have.

Thanks. Is there any downside to using longer screws than necessary?

Normally no. If someone ran a water line improperly there might be a
problem. But honestly if .25" makes a difference I have never encountered
it.

Colbyt

"rider89" wrote in message
...
If you mean longer than 1.625", you shouldn't because you would then
increase odds
of running a screw into cables, plumbing, etc.

Bill



Excellent point Bill.

Colbyt wrote:
"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:kuR8f.4276$kj6.2194@trndny03...

Thanks. Is there any downside to using longer screws than necessary?

Normally no. If someone ran a water line improperly there might be a
problem. But honestly if .25" makes a difference I have never encountered
it.

The difference is more like 0.5" (0.375" difference in screw length +
0.125" in drywall thickness). A local big box store carries 1.25" and
1.625" screws for drywalls. The former is for 1/2" drywall and the
latter 5/8". I could understand the need for longer screws to hold the
weight of thicker/heavier wallboards, but wondered if there's a downside
to using the longer screws for the thinner type of drywall. My thinking
was, if there's no downside to doing that they could/would stock just
the 1.625" kind.

Colbyt wrote:
"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:kuR8f.4276$kj6.2194@trndny03...

Thanks. Is there any downside to using longer screws than necessary?

Normally no. If someone ran a water line improperly there might be a
problem. But honestly if .25" makes a difference I have never encountered
it.

The difference is more like 0.5" (0.375" difference in screw length +
0.125" in drywall thickness). A local big box store carries 1.25" and
1.625" screws for drywalls. The former is for 1/2" drywall and the
latter 5/8". I could understand the need for longer screws to hold the
weight of thicker/heavier wallboards, but wondered if there's a downside
to using the longer screws for the thinner type of drywall. My thinking
was, if there's no downside to doing that they could/would stock just
the 1.625" kind.

All Thumbs wrote in
news:tJU8f.348$L56.123@trndny05:

Colbyt wrote:
"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:kuR8f.4276$kj6.2194@trndny03...

Thanks. Is there any downside to using longer screws than necessary?

Normally no. If someone ran a water line improperly there might be a
problem. But honestly if .25" makes a difference I have never
encountered it.

The difference is more like 0.5" (0.375" difference in screw length +
0.125" in drywall thickness). A local big box store carries 1.25" and
1.625" screws for drywalls. The former is for 1/2" drywall and the
latter 5/8". I could understand the need for longer screws to hold the
weight of thicker/heavier wallboards, but wondered if there's a
downside to using the longer screws for the thinner type of drywall.
My thinking was, if there's no downside to doing that they could/would
stock just the 1.625" kind.


Harder / takes longer to install. Costs more money for extra length you
don't need (fewer screws per pound)

Brad

"All Thumbs" wrote in message
news:tJU8f.348$L56.123@trndny05...
The difference is more like 0.5" (0.375" difference in screw length +
0.125" in drywall thickness). A local big box store carries 1.25" and
1.625" screws for drywalls. The former is for 1/2" drywall and the
latter 5/8". I could understand the need for longer screws to hold the
weight of thicker/heavier wallboards, but wondered if there's a downside
to using the longer screws for the thinner type of drywall. My thinking
was, if there's no downside to doing that they could/would stock just
the 1.625" kind.

Drywall screws are used for a lot more things than drywall, that is why they
stock them. In my screw collection I stock everything from 1-3". In some
special cases I buy longer ones.

For all practical purposes in residential construction the 1 5/8" screw is
the correct one to use.

I can't promise you that some dufus did not run a wire or pipe where it
should not be. That is the risk you run anytime you work on a structure.

Colbyt

All Thumbs wrote:

I need to find out how thick the ceiling drywalls are so that I can get
the screws of the right size. Does anyone know of a good way to do it?


I'm puzzled by your question, but maybe I'm not reading it correctly.

I presume that if you're asking that question it's because the "ceiling
drywalls" are already in place so you can't measure their thickness
directly.

If that's the case, why do you need screws? Is it sagging down in some
places and you want to try and correct that with some more screws?

Just wondering,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."

Jeff Wisnia wrote:

I'm puzzled by your question, but maybe I'm not reading it correctly.

I presume that if you're asking that question it's because the "ceiling
drywalls" are already in place so you can't measure their thickness
directly.

If that's the case, why do you need screws? Is it sagging down in some
places and you want to try and correct that with some more screws?

I made the mistake of stepping onto the "floor" while in the attic and
as a result got a few popped-out nails.

All Thumbs wrote:
Jeff Wisnia wrote:


I'm puzzled by your question, but maybe I'm not reading it correctly.

I presume that if you're asking that question it's because the
"ceiling drywalls" are already in place so you can't measure their
thickness directly.

If that's the case, why do you need screws? Is it sagging down in some
places and you want to try and correct that with some more screws?


I made the mistake of stepping onto the "floor" while in the attic and
as a result got a few popped-out nails.

Well, If you stepped on it in the attic, then you should be able to see
if there are any wires or pipes running through whatever joists or
strapping you need to screw into, and keep away from them if there are.

So just grab a few screws about 1-1/2" long and start screwing.

Glad you didn't fall right through. :-)

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."