Stepping On Ceiling Plaster
Here is the classic hole in the ceiling because someone
was walking on the drywall instead of the framing members in the attic.
The drywall can't hold very much weight and is not design to walk on, in
a situation like this. Someone stepping through the ceiling, while
moving things around in the attic is pretty common and these home
repairs will continue to keep contractor's busy for years.
Home Repair Tip: In a situation like this, where the drywall is severely
damaged, the damaged section should be cut away and removed. After the
damaged piece has been removed, install the new drywall and finish the
repair. It's never a good idea to reuse drywall that is badly damaged.
In the picture above, we can't see any ceiling joist and
the insulation will need to be moved out of our way to expose the
ceiling joist, to safely walk through the attic. This is a good example
of an accident waiting to happen. Someone without construction
experience could easily assume that the insulation is solid and safe to
walk on.
This attic hasn't been used in years and I would imagine, this is the
first picture of the attic to ever be taken. You can never assume, when
it comes to safety that every one thinks the way you do or that couldn't
happen, I wouldn't worry about it.