These ten drywalling tips can help make your next drywalling project successful and easy.
Tip 1: Prepare Properly
Make sure your work will comply with local building codes. Also, measure your space carefully so you buy the right amount of drywall.
Tip 2: Maintain a Consistent Climate
The climate (temperature and humidity) of your space can affect drywalling and joint treatment. Make sure that the area where you are working is at 55degrees F for two days before you start the project and two days after it is completed.
Drywalling Tip 3: Wear Protective Gear
The gypsum dust that comes off of drywall can irritate your eyes and lungs. Wear goggles and a mask to protect yourself, and make sure the space is well ventilated.
Drywalling Tip 4: Know Your Tools
Tools you need include a basic utility knife to cut the drywall, a T-square to help make square cuts, a drywall saw to cut around obstacles in the room, and a keyhole saw to make cuts for smaller obstacles (like electrical boxes).
If you find that putting drywall on the ceiling is challenging, consider renting a drywall lift, which holds drywall in place while it is nailed or screwed to the joists.
To put nails and screws in place, you can use either a drywall hammer or drywall screw gun. The hammer makes a dimple around the nail without actually breaking the surface of the paper. A drywall screw gun lets you sink in the screw without damaging the surface of the paper.
For finishing, taping knives of different sizes help you get a smooth joint. With each layer, you’ll want to use a taping knife that is one or two inches longer than the previous one you used.
Drywalling Tip 5: Know Your Fasteners
You need to purchase nails and screws specifically made for drywall. Use ring shank nails to hold the drywall in place and prevent the nails from popping out later. Different size drywall screws are available, depending on the thickness of your drywall.
Drywalling Tip 6: Cutting and Framing
When possible, use a full sheet of drywall. When you need to cut, score the drywall with your utility knife, then snap the drywall back to have it break away at the cut.
Make sure that all of your studs are securely in place and that they are spaced out evenly. Also ensure that no edge is unsupported by a distance of more than two feet and that all corners are nailed.
Drywalling Tip 7: Ensure Proper Insulation
Before sealing up your walls, make sure that you have inserted the proper insulation. Moisture or vapor barriers are also important to consider.
Drywalling Tip 8: Know Your Compounds
Joint compounds come either in powder or pre-mixed. Powder compounds are available in two different textures: taping and topping. Taping compound, which is used at the taping stage, is stronger and courser than topping compound, which is used for the finishing coats. All-purpose compound is halfway between a taping and topping compound.
Drywalling Tip 9: Finish the Joints
Before you start taping, ensure that all fasteners are sunk down below the surface. Also make sure that corner beads are installed on all outside corners.
The taping process is a four-step process that takes about four days. Start with the tape coat, which is when you apply compound to the seams and insert paper joint tape. That first tape coat levels off everything. The next two layers smooth the surfaces; use a slightly wider taping knife for eachapplication. Your final coat is a finishing one.
Drywalling Tip 10: Sand, Prime, and Paint
When the drywall is up, sand the room and then prime and paint. People often skip the sanding process, but if you want smooth walls, devote as much attention to sanding as to any other stage.
EZRip Drywalling Tips and Help Advice Used by the Professionals – Ready to start your drywall project? We can give you all the help, tips, advice and how-to information you may need for any drywall installation!