Plasterboard problem - repair or replace?

lynseyr1

We've just realised that the plasterboard panel is coming away from the wall in our bedroom (the crack was behind the curtain so we couldn't see it).
The panel is behind a radiator, and we know nothing about DIY.
Is this something we could just use some sort of glue to stick it back to the wall ourselves, or would we need a tradesman to come in and fix/replace it - and if so, which sort?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

elastic_trickery

There should be no problem in just re-fixing the board. However, you should first establish the cause of it comming away from the wall. Is is damp? Did the radiator dry it out an cause it to crumble?

Some plasterboard is just fixed into place using a methd called dot and dab. Small dots of plaster are stuck on to the back of the board and then this is pressed onto the wall to fix the board in place. You could force some plaster behid the board and then use a board to hold the plasterboard back to the wall. I have done this before by using a piece of plywood (a scrap I had from a previos job) about 6 foot long. I bang a couple of nails into the floor through the carpet and use this as a point to wedge the board into. The other end presses up againt the wall and holds it in place. Wait for the plaster to go off and then remove the board and pull the nails out of the floor.

Hope this helps. As i say it can be replired but you shoudl ensure that the board comming away is not symptomatic of another fundamental problem.

OR - If its a new house - get the builders back in!

lynseyr1

Thanks for the help.
I don't think there's any damp. Firstly, its upstairs and there doesn't seem to be any problems in the room underneath, and secondly it doesn't feel cold on that wall.