# Ceiling collapsed, what to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 11, 2016, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601 "2016-03-11T01:29:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/21 "2016-03-11T15:25:35Z")
Rental company should pay to move you if you agree to that or put you up in a hotel if the place is uninhabitable until the work is done. Do you have renter’s insurance? If so, give them a call and see what they recommend. If not, you should. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/22 "2016-03-11T15:28:54Z")
Second the renter’s insurance; if you have it, get them on the horn immediately. If your stuff was damaged, the insurance company should compensate you and they will deal with the management for reimbursement. Definitely start cataloging your belongings and document any damage before they touch your stuff. If the drywall was installed incorrectly you might want to alert the local building inspector, as well. As mentioned above, drywall is very heavy and a randomly collapsing ceiling could kill someone. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/23 "2016-03-11T15:30:59Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Rental. > > The office sounds like they just want to move me to another unit because it’s easier for them. > > A picture: [http://postimg.org/image/rnnrn0x4l/](http://postimg.org/image/rnnrn0x4l/) That’s crazy. There should be strapping up there, and nails are obviously a no-no. No wonder it came down. Some clown hired a fly-by-night drywall guy, or their cousin in college or something. If you haven’t already, call your insurance company. If you don’t have renters insurance, you might want to call a lawyer. At a minimum, if the landlord is moving you, you shouldn’t incur any cost and they should provide professional movers to do the job. It looks like a case of negligence in building, so they should pay for your damages. Take lots of pictures and get a good solid estimate of your loss. Good luck ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/24 "2016-03-11T15:35:12Z")
You have three issues from a repair point of view. The drywall, the structural, and a moisture leak if that is the cause. Anything that has a finish surface (the drywall) there is a structural support underneath it. Is that damaged and has to be replaced make sure it is. Moisture causes all sorts of damage and if that is the cause of the drywall fall, then you need to look for mold and rot also. ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/25 "2016-03-11T15:37:32Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Either the rock (sheetrock/drywall) increased in weight **or the original fasteners were not properly installed**. > [@Dereknocue67](#): > > I suspect the ceiling was nailed to the joists as opposed to being screwed. Snipped Wow, good guesses gentlemen! ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/26 "2016-03-11T20:26:48Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Rental. > > The office sounds like they just want to move me to another unit because it’s easier for them. > > A picture: [http://postimg.org/image/rnnrn0x4l/](http://postimg.org/image/rnnrn0x4l/) Jeebus! I’m glad you’re ok and had walked into the other room! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/27 "2016-03-12T03:20:01Z")
If they do move you into another of their units (at their expense, of course), you should insist that they ensure the ceiling and drywall in the new unit are inspected for proper installation first. And, yes, you should be in a hotel (at their expense) until that inspection has taken place. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/28 "2016-03-12T03:37:16Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > what caused the collapse? 330 ft^2 of drywall doesn’t just fall down because it feels like it. It does if you use too short a nail when putting it up and then add a bunch of insulation to it. Happens all the time. When you see it sagging the clock is ticking. It’s not something to be put off for another day. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/29 "2016-03-12T03:49:49Z")
I think you should call the city building inspector to see if the new apartment is safe to move into. You can move to a new building and not worry about breaking your lease . ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/30 "2016-03-13T09:09:33Z")
> [@Whiskey\_Dickens](#): > > Snipped > Wow, good guesses gentlemen! I see your analytical thinking skills are still in the development stage. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/31 "2016-03-16T13:02:25Z")
So the landlord is evicting me because they don’t want to fix it with me in the apartment. I guess I’ll be condo shopping sooner than I expected. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/32 "2016-03-16T13:31:15Z")
Um, I’m not sure that’s exactly legal… ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/33 "2016-03-16T13:38:45Z")
What is their justification for evicting you? It sounds like you’re going to buy your next home, so it may not matter, but if you rent again soon, it might be a problem to have an eviction on your rental record. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/34 "2016-03-16T13:57:42Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > Um, I’m not sure that’s exactly legal… Checking the lease, it says no reason has to be given. So, after some back and forth it’s not an eviction, it’s a “notice to vacate.” Haven’t determined if they’ll move me to another unit. Not sure I want to keep them as landlords though. **Dewey Finn** , there is no reason given. Buying a place with such short notice in this area would be pretty difficult. I bet my next place is a rental. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/35 "2016-03-16T13:59:33Z")
Are you on a month-to-month lease? I think you should definitely get a consultation with a tenant/landlord lawyer to find out what your options are. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/36 "2016-03-16T14:00:29Z")
Do you have a lease currently? I think you might want to talk to a tenants’ rights group or RE attorney, to see if the “notice to vacate” will be considered an eviction and if it will affect your ability to rent in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/37 "2016-03-16T14:11:11Z")
That is the cleanest drywall collapse I’ve ever seen, all straight lines and no residue on the joists. Normally there would be at lease some nails or screws left in the joists with some drywall still attached to them. It appears from that picture that every nail was pulled out of the joists. Very odd, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/38 "2016-03-16T15:31:06Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Checking the lease, it says no reason has to be given. > > So, after some back and forth it’s not an eviction, it’s a “notice to vacate.” Haven’t determined if they’ll move me to another unit. Not sure I want to keep them as landlords though. > > **Dewey Finn** , there is no reason given. Buying a place with such short notice in this area would be pretty difficult. I bet my next place is a rental. If they have given you a notice to vacate as a result of you requesting your space be livable that can be considered retaliatory which may be illegal regardless of the terms in the lease. I assume they just want the place empty so they can renovate, which isn’t entirely unreasonable. If it is easy enough for you to find a new place and you have sufficient time do so no harm no foul I guess. If it’s a burden I’d suggest talking to a tenants right advocate. ---
**Author:** ![zuer-coli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ba9def/32.png) [@zuer-coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuer-coli)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/39 "2016-03-17T01:42:54Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > That is the cleanest drywall collapse I’ve ever seen, all straight lines and no residue on the joists. Normally there would be at lease some nails or screws left in the joists with some drywall still attached to them. It appears from that picture that every nail was pulled out of the joists. Very odd, indeed. Doctor Jackson, Exactly my observation, the picture is not clear enough to see the nail holes so the nail spacing is open to question. I reckon the nails were not all that closely spaced. The apparent lack of bits of sheetrock / drywall is as you say very strange. I have been in any number of houses that sufferred from water damage and have never seen anything like that. For myself, I question the water damage thesis, this appears to be a ceiling with a room above, most likely another rental unit. No plumbing visable, for water damage there must be a source of water nearby, sure would be interestering to see that room in person. Zuer-coli ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601/40 "2016-03-17T01:59:13Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > That is the cleanest drywall collapse I’ve ever seen, all straight lines and no residue on the joists. Normally there would be at lease some nails or screws left in the joists with some drywall still attached to them. It appears from that picture that every nail was pulled out of the joists. Very odd, indeed. I’ve seen this happen. Someone uses too short a nail with a smooth tip that doesn’t really grab well. It doesn’t fall straight down so much as unzip when one piece sags. imagine a bunch of houses in the same neighborhood all drywalled by the same company. You can’t tell there’s a problem because everything is patched and painted. It could be a door slamming or a windy day that’s putting a bit of twist on the walls or a poorly attached light fixture that starts the process. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceiling-collapsed-what-to-do/748601.md?page=3)