Supporting a heavy ceiling light

[housyhouse]

I recently purchased a great looking, but rather heavy light for my lounge. The problem I have is how to fix it to the ceiling. I know the best thing would be to attach it to a joist but I don't have access to the ceiling from above to see where this is. Anyway if I moved it this would leave me with a ceiling to repair.

The ceiling itself is plasterboard - does anyone know of any kind of attachment that can be used, similar to that one might use for hanging something on a plasterboard wall.

 

[breezer]

if its THAT heavy you will should hang it from the joist. either that or new ceiling if it pulls it down, still, look on the bright side, you will then know where the joists are.

have you not tried a stud detector?

 

[Hitachimad]

Theres a good chance that the existing rose maybe in the vicinity of a joist. If you havn't a stud detector, take out one of the screws fixing it and see if it feels like its screwed into wood.

 

[housyhouse]

Thanks, I know the current pendant is held by the wire only. It only had a fabric shade hanging on it before which wasn't a problem. Unless others have any suggestions - I guess I'll have to change my lighting plans

 

[felix]

You can usually find joists with some careful tapping. Once you think you're close to a joist - and you know which way it runs - you can pin it down with some careful test drilling. A 3/32th drill is big enough and the holes are easily filled afterwards.