Swapped my 1/2 inch drywall screws for 5/8ths after the ceiling cracked twice in my garage

I used to grab whatever drywall screws were cheapest at Home Depot for any job. Then I did my garage ceiling last spring and had two panels sag and crack within 3 months. My buddy Mike who does drywall for a living told me I needed 5/8 inch screws for ceiling work because the weight is different. He showed me how the shorter ones barely grab the joists overhead. Now I check the screw length against the drywall thickness plus the joist depth before I start. What length do you guys use for bathroom ceilings with 1/2 inch board?

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lisa6711h ago

Oh man, don't even get me started on garage ceilings. I learned the exact same way you did but with a sheet of 1/2 inch that pancaked onto my truck. Now I go full 5/8 inch for anything overhead and just eat the extra cost. For a bathroom ceiling with 1/2 inch board I'd still use 1 1/4 inch screws just to be safe, especially if you got a fan or light fixture up there. Your buddy Mike is a smart guy, listen to him.