Sunday, October 6, 2013

Installing Drywall The Right Way

By Brian Winters


Installing drywall can be challenging if you don't know the basics. Remember not to scrimp on materials and try to invest on high-quality tools if you want to have a professional-looking drywall hanging inside your house. For guaranteed results, do not hesitate to hire a drywall specialist immediately.

Before carrying out repairs, always take safety into account to avoid encountering unnecessary disasters. Wear protective clothing and footwear during the process and secure the area beforehand. Large sheets of panels can be dangerous to kids once they collapse. As much as possible, do not allow anyone to enter the room until the repair is finished.

Get started by getting the actual measurements of the area where the drywall will be hoisted. Doing this gives you an idea how many panels are needed for the entire walls and ceilings. Consider buying drywall in larger sheets instead of re-using scraps to avoid having too many joints and seams.

Remove the old drywall panels and torn paper edges if there are some. Cut the new piece of drywall on a flat surface to be able to follow the measurements exactly. Remember that committing mistakes can take the repair process much longer.

Before installing drywall, remove the obstructions behind the panel. Look for signs of moisture and replace studs if necessary. Do not forget to fix the electrical wiring while making sure the wires won't hinder the repair. Experts recommend using metal studs instead of wood since they provide greater strength and support for the drywall.

Attach the new piece of drywall to the studs using drywall screws. To avoid having a hard time concealing the nail heads, countersink the nails below the surface. Prevent the drywall from flapping by securing the corners properly.

With a fiberglass mesh tape, cover all the seams and joints to seal the gaps in between. Use a narrow blade taping knife to spread the mud evenly. Let it dry before applying another layer of joint compound. Do not forget to always get the right mud consistency before using it.

Once the edges have been feathered, lightly sand the panel to remove the bumps, beads and other remaining imperfections. Apply light pressure since mud can be sanded off easily. Prime and paint.

Do you find all the steps simple? Since drywall panels can be heavy, it doesn't hurt to ask help from someone to install the panels. Feel free to hire a specialist if you don't have time to install drywall on your own.




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