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I need to drywall my basement ceiling. There are gas and water pipelines below the joists as shown in the picture.

How to install drywall just below the pipes? Please help with a solution for drywall. Drop ceiling is too low and can't be raised and I don't want to raise it.

enter image description here

isherwood
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nsk
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2 Answers2

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Attach furring strips that are taller than the pipes and run perpendicular to the joists. Then attach the drywall to the furring strips.

But as others have commented, a basement with a drop tile ceiling with at least a few inches of clear space above it is worth its weight in gold when it comes time to do any kind of mechanical, electrical, or plumbing upgrade or renovation.

Greg Hill
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I agree that raising the drop ceiling in the area outside the duct is the right move here. However, if you insist on hanging drywall, you have a few options.

Suspend furring strips. You wouldn't use a full-height strip attached directly to the joist. You'd use slats mounted to the joist sides to attach to the furring strip sides. Something like this:

 ____ _
|____| |
  || | |
  || | |
  || | |
 _||_| |    
|____| |
     | |
   __| |
  |  | |
  |  | |
  |__|_|

The horizontal members must be up to the task of carrying drywall for the span between supports. Be sure to use an approved attachment method to the joists. Keep all fasteners in shear (horizontal), and use enough of adequate size for the load.

Or look for a commercial solution. There are systems similar to suspended ceiling track designed to carry drywall. You install them and screw the drywall to the channel rails.

isherwood
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