Repair water damaged ceiling

[SmithRiverSuz]

How can I repair the water damaged ceiling in my 1982 Silvercrest Manufactured home? It is an area in my dining room, about 1' x 3', and is cracked. Not sure what you call this type of ceiling, but it looks like cardboard. I'm thinking some kind of an expanding spray foam would do the trick, but have no idea what to use or where to obtain it. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[David Oxhandler]

It sounds like you have the "plank type ceiling" used in the early and mid 80's in may homes. You can fill the hole with drywall mud and paint it to match the existing ceiling.

[SmithRiverSuz]

David, thank you for the tip.

The ceiling is the 4' x 14' sheets that I have seen in numerous pictures, and probably about 3/4" thick. It's not just a small hole, but rather several large cracks. I have seen a reference to spray foam to use on the ceiling, but don't have any description of what the foam actually is. Are you familiar with such a foam?

We may try the drywall mud, but looking for other options as well.

[David Oxhandler]

I have not used any foam products. There are many types of ceilings in manufactured homes. Here are some proven repair and replacement methods from, Mark Bower,one of the best known hands on men in the manufactured housing industry. Repairing or Rebuilding Your Manufactured Home Ceilings

[carlpeter]

One of the biggest challenges in getting the ceiling ready for a new piece of drywall is cutting back the water-soaked drywall to the center of one of the ceiling joists. This is accomplished with any number of tools, from a sharp razor knife to a reciprocating saw held at a low angle so the blade just cuts into the drywall and not the wood joist.