How To Install A Drywall

Drywall is a finishing material for the walls and ceiling of your house. It is made up of mildew and fire resistant material like gypsum that is sandwiched between two sheets of fiberglass mats. The concept involves that when this drywall has dried (since the materials are semi solid), it becomes hard enough to be used as a building material. It has more advantages than drawbacks – some of it being, it is inexpensive, readily available and easy to install. A do-it-yourself installation, with proper guidance, is not so hard to follow and makes the deal all the more inexpensive. You just need to plan properly and buy the right items required for the installation. Installing a new drywall is easier than replacing an older one because an older one has to be uninstalled first followed by its repairs. This generally requires professional help. So if it's a new drywall and you want to do it yourself, here are some tips and ideas that might help you install the drywall with precision!

Drywall Installation Tips

You Need:

Measuring Tape
Drywall Sheets
Drill
Screws and screw dimpler
Drywall Mud
Drywall Tape
Razor Knife
6”and 10” Putty Knives
Plastic Drywall Tray
Drywall Sandpaper
Drywall Pole Sander
Drywall Mud Topcoat

Instructions:

It is better to purchase drywall sheets of dimensions 4’ x 8’ so that they don’t break during transportation. A thickness of about 1/2’ is one that is ideal. Although anything between 1/4’ – 5/8’ can be used.
For each location that you are installing the drywall on, there is a specific type that has to be used. For example, if you are installing a drywall in your bathroom, then the greenrock variety must be used since it is moisture resistant. Hence make sure you get the right variety.
Check the wall that you are taping the drywall onto for any chipping, screws, wood, nails or old drywall. This prevents the new drywall from bulging at certain areas.
You can place the drywall either vertically or horizontally and tape it to the ceiling or wall.
Insulating wires must also be well protected. If you see any damages, stick some tape onto it. Use some sort of seal to repair any cracks in the wall.
A drywall has a mud cavity along its length that is for the mud to reside in without appearing ugly on the wall.
After taking all these precautions, measure the wall where you would like to install the drywall. Using the razor knife, cut pieces according the size you want to fill. A hand drywall saw is used to make cuts along the irregular openings such as arches.
If you have to install drywall over piper, then place it against the pipe and lightly tap and make a hole with a drywall hole saw to cut.
Locate the studs with a stud finder. Run a length of the masking tape along the floor when you seen the studs exposed and mark a visible centre line for each.
Hold the drywall on the wall and, using a drill, send the screws in at about 8” from the studs. It is better done closer to the edges as the screw heads will be covered easily.
Apply mud with a 6” drywall mud knife to each seam and, in the mean time, slightly dampen your drywall tape. Put this tape over the joint with mud. Using the 6” putty knife again, flatten the tape smoothly.
If there is excess mud on the blade, wash it off. Do not re-apply. Also check for air bubbles and flatten these too.
Do the same with all the joints but don’t apply mud on freshly taped joints. Allow them to dry for 24hours between mud coats. But don’t forget to apply a swipe coat over each screw and covering up all the edges.
After applying thin coats of mud, use a pole sander with sand paper to smoothen up the joints. But do this only after the final coat has dried.

How to Cite

Related Articles

See also

More in 'Home & Living'