I've successfully installed several recessed lights but I'm having problems with the drywall crumbling around several others. When I put the drywall nails through the plaster frame, the drywall is breaking up and crumbling and won't hold the frame. Anyone out there have a solution?

Here is your solution: Place 1/2" plywood behind the drywall that extends at least 3" or 4" in from the edge. Fasten the plywood several places away from the edge by driving screw through the drywall into the plywood. Then you will have both drywall and plywood for your light to fasten into.

You may have to use as many as 4 or 5 smaller plywood pieces that you can slide in through the recessed light hole and position next to existing studs.

Make sure to use plywood and not OSB chip board - the OSB will often not hold a screw well.

With respect to drywall that crumbles, leaving a small hole: Patch this up with joint compound after installation. For holes as big as a dime, I like to wad up some mesh joint tape and place in the hole as a backing. For bigger holes, you might have to fasten a piece of drywall patch - I would glue the patch piece to your plywood backing if it is a small patch piece.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DIY Guy,

I don't understand why you would have drywall crumbling, you need to cut the hole so the arms of the light can be nailed to the joists, unless your using retro fit lights, the other thing is are your ceiling plaster or drywall?


www.frankawitz.net

May not be any help to you, but I don't understand why you would have to nail or screw a recessed can light to drywall. If you used the rework type of fixture, it will go in a carefully cut hole without any fastener into the drywall.