What kind of nails are there, cut nails, smooth wire nails or some other flavor? Cut nails have been the ones I saw more problems with because of the ones that are tapered profile. Pull loose a little is synonymous with pull loose a lot. I would investigate the environmental and physical situation of the area that fell relative to the area that did not fail. Also, are they using the same fasteners? Something made 30 sqft fall but not the rest. I would assume the rest is close to failure unless there are different characteristics of the areas.
Below are 2 responses from ChatGPT about your situation. No idea how accurate the answers are, but they sound ball-park correct.
#1
Ring shank nails—also called annular ring nails—were developed in the early 20th century, with widespread use beginning around the 1930s to 1940s. These nails were designed to improve holding power by adding rings or ridges along the shank, which bite into the wood and resist pull-out far better than smooth-shank nails.
The exact date of invention isn't pinpointed to a single event or person, but their development aligned with the rise of engineered lumber and increased demand for more secure fasteners in construction, particularly in subflooring, sheathing, and roofing.
They became especially common post-World War II during the U.S. housing boom, as building techniques modernized and performance standards increased.
#2
In 1908, the most common method for attaching plaster to ceilings was
wood lath and plaster, and the primary design and construction documents of the era would typically reference:
Wood Lath & Plaster Construction
Lath: Narrow strips of wood (usually ~1/4" thick, 1–1.5" wide) nailed horizontally to ceiling joists.
Plaster: Applied in three coats:
- Scratch coat – pushed through the gaps between lath to form “keys” that mechanically lock the plaster to the ceiling.
- Brown coat – for leveling and thickness.
- Finish coat – smooth surface layer.
Common Design Documentation in 1908
The most common design document wouldn’t be called a “spec sheet” or “drawing set” as we think of today but would include:
- Architectural blueprints or plan sets (hand-drawn, ink or pencil on linen or vellum)
- Pattern books or builder’s manuals, such as:
- Radford’s Architectural Plans for Houses (popular around the time)
- The American Builder’s Companion by Asher Benjamin (earlier but still referenced)
- Carpentry and Building magazine (published monthly with construction practices and specs)
These documents often noted
“wood lath and 3-coat plaster finish” for interior ceilings and walls. More detailed architects might include spacing of lath (often 3/8" gaps), nail types (cut nails or early wire nails), and joist sizing.
Alternatives in 1908 (less common but emerging):
- Metal lath was just beginning to see limited use in fireproof construction or commercial buildings.
- Rock lath (paper-covered gypsum board) would not become widespread until the 1920s–30s.
If you're looking at a historical restoration or referencing 1908 specs,
wood lath and plaster with hand-mixed lime-based plaster would have been the standard, and the most detailed design documentation would come from architectural plan books and specifications written directly by the architect or builder.
