Hang Ceiling Drywall Alone
I was very successful in using this method to hang drywall in our garage, but I must encourage safety. Hanging 75 lb 5/8 inch ceiling drywall by yourself can be dangerous, please, please have someone that is watching you to make sure you do not get hurt!
That said, I am one of those people that doesn’t like to ask for help and likely, if you are here, you are too. This method also results in the sheetrock surface potentially getting a bit more scuffed up, but nothing that can’t be easily fixed.
How to hang ceiling drywall by yourself
The picture may be enough for most people to get the idea, but I’ll go on to describe it here:
Materials:
Ratchet Straps (These ones are 15ft and strong, which is great for maneuverability while hanging ceiling drywall)
Step 1: Loop or hook your ratchet strap loosely to a ceiling joist. Initially I did this one foot in from both ends and at the center for 3 points of support total. Make sure the hook end of the strap is on an open side so you can pull it out and recover it after you secure the drywall sufficiently. Connect the ratchet strap loosely (BE SURE IT IS SECURE) so that it hangs like the orange strap pictured above.
Step 2: Walk or lift your drywall to the one of the loosely hanging ratchet straps (Orange one in the photo, near the wall). “Hook” the drywall into the open loop and lift the other end.
Step 3: Slide or hook the prelooped ratchet strap on the other end onto the end you just lifted up. You should now have the drywall hanging supported on both ends loosely with no support in the middle.
Step 4: As you can see from the photo I chose to use a ladder instead of a center strap for support. A ladder with a towel on top supported and did not damage my drywall.
Step 5: Alternate supporting and tightening sides until the drywall is in place and ready to secure!
Step 6: Start at one end and secure the ceiling drywall with the appropriate length and thread drywall screws (Coarse thread for wood, fine thread for metal). I started by securing at least 3 rows of complete screws before releasing that ends ratchet strap only. When I came to the final two rows, I was able to release the final ratchet strap (blue one in the photo). This allowed a bit of wiggle room to recover the strap, then I finished with final rows.
Safety and bloopers: My first attempt was looped around the girts in the photo which allowed the straps to slide to one side or the other . . . Eventually the drywall fell sideways! It was still supported by the straps, but there was some damage to the edges that will be hidden in the end.
Always have someone that you can call for help if you get hurt, drywall is dangerous if it falls or could break bones, maybe even kill you if you fall off of the ladder. Please be safe!
Conclusion – Hanging Ceiling Drywall by yourself
BE SAFE!!! My first attempt took 45 minutes and I got that down to about 25 minutes per sheet. I suspect if I was securing to wood, it would have been a it faster. I always had my wife available to call 911, I never over extended myself on a too small ladder, I always had a minimum of 3 points of contact if I or anyone else was going to be under the drywall before it was properly secured with screws, and I always wore a safety helmet, long sleeve shirt, pants, and steel toe boots . . . just in case.
Good Luck DIY Ceiling Drywall Hangers, I hope this sparks an idea for hanging ceiling drywall that you can make work for you, just sharing my success. As an alternative, you could cut the sheet into halves which would be more manageable.
