Drywall is now a common element you find in modern homes. Otherwise known as sheetrock or Gyproc, it is composed of gypsum materials sandwiched between two pieces of heavy paper. It is a very versatile material that you can manipulate several different ways. It is so versatile that it can be glued, nailed or screwed. To cover up the drywall, you can also use paint or wallpaper. The possibilities are endless. You can do a lot of things with drywall and it won’t break the bank because it is relatively cheap.
Drywall may sound perfect but it is not. There are special steps to follow in order to install drywall. You should be happy to know that we are going to help you install drywall. The knowledge we impart will go a long way to help you install drywall like a true pro.
- Get all the materials you will need. You will need a sharp utility knife to cut through the drywall. You will also need measuring tape to identify the size needed. To install drywall into your home, you will also need a screw gun, dust masks, taping knives and lastly, drywall tape and joint compound.
- Hang drywall. Before you hang drywall, make sure all the plumbing and electrical work is complete inside the walls. Mark the wall studs on the floor and ceiling to easily find them when you are about to install drywall. Place scrap wood on the floor to allow the drywall to rise approximately half an inch high. Put the drywall sheet on top of that scrap block and nail the drywall in with special drywall nails or a special drywall gun. Make sure you nail on the studs you marked a while ago. Make the distance between the nails around six to eight inches between.
- Cut drywall into place. Once you put the drywall on the board, you will notice that it does not fit everywhere. In this case, you will need to cut the drywall. Star by measuring the area you want to cover with the drywall. When you see how much you need to keep, mark your drywall on the front side. Get a sharp utility knife and cut through your mark. The cut does not need to get through. It should just be deep enough to hit a portion of the gypsum filling. Lay the drywall flat on the floor and snap-off the section you have cut. Cut off the paper on the back using the sharp utility knife.
- Cut around outlets and finish joints. Mark the outlet box on the drywall. Drill a hole at each corner of the mark. Then, use a drywall saw to cut the hole for the outlet. To get a smooth finish for the corners and joints, you will need to fill the joint with some joint compound using taping knives. Place drywall tape over the joint and run the knife over the tape to push it further into the mud. Cover the tape with a thin layer of mud and let it dry overnight. Add another thin layer of mud before applying the final coat of mud thinned with some water. Use the sandpaper to smooth out the rest of the mud to prepare for the painting.
These are some of the ways you can work with drywall. After you have followed these simple steps, you have installed drywall and should be able to install drywall in the future. Congratulations, you are now a handyman. Take this chance to look at your work and be proud of your accomplishment.
