Elements of a Good Drywall Job

Judging the quality of drywall installation can be difficult without experience, but a basic checklist will help ensure a thorough inspection. A good job will have used adhesive and enough screws. It will have tight joints, each placed even with its neighbors, with no gaps. Butt joints will be staggered and clean, with no sign of ragged edges. No gaping holes will be present, and outlets will be cut to the proper size, with only a few cut overly large. Outside corners will not have factory edges meeting, and corner bead will be placed with sufficient space for joint compound. Good planning will be in evidence, with large boards to provide minimal joints that are placed with efficiency and finishing in mind.

Testing the Quality of a Drywall Job

While most factors of excellence in drywall hanging can be judged with a simple visual examination, a complete inspection requires some tests. One is to check for use of adhesive. The only tool required for this test is a fist. Simply thump the drywall over the studs and listen for rattling or the impact of drywall against the studs, which indicate a gap. Glued-on panels will sound solid when this test is performed.

Another simple test can check for protruding screw heads. To do this, take a 15 centimeter joint knife, place it against the wall at a 45-degree angle, and drag it over the screws with just enough pressure to create a slight bend in the blade. Listen closely while doing this; a distinct clicking sound will indicate a screw that is not properly recessed.

Types of Drywall

Basic drywall, also known as sheetrock, wallboard, and gypsum board, is the most commonly used panel in the standard drywall job. Lesser thicknesses are especially common in ceilings, although they are also sufficient for most walls. Special circumstances call for special types of drywall, however, and several specialty types are available for extra benefits. One example is the most expensive type of drywall: fire resistant drywall. Also called fire board, it is extra thick and used where codes require fire resistance ratings. In addition to being non-combustible, it is also soundproof.

Moisture Resistant Drywall

Moisture resistant drywall, also known as greenboard, boasts special surface coatings to create that resistance. It is mainly used in utility rooms, bathrooms, and basements. This type will not warp in damp conditions like standard drywall will.

The right type of drywall is essential for a proper look and greater property values. With basic knowledge of the types of sheetrock, an eye for proper size and placement, and the indications of excellence in a drywall job, anyone can ensure successful results.

Drywall plaster is just another name for joint compound. This material is mostly used in construction sites and for house remodeling projects. Drywall is used to fill in holes on wall and repair wall damage. It contains limestone, expanded perlite, attapulgite and ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer. This chemical combination gives drywall a smooth and creamy texture, which makes it easy to apply.

Advantages of Drywall 

Drywall makes walls smooth, and prepares the walls for wallpaper and paint application. Drywall has many advantages over other types of plasters; they include the following:

Cost

The cost of drywall including materials used in its application such as fasteners, drywall sheets and finishing materials is about 25-65 cents per square foot. This is more affordable than other wall covering systems such as lath and plaster, which may require wood, steel mesh and significant amounts of plaster. Even If drywall was more expensive, the labor costs associated with installation is much lower than that of plastering, which would help compensate for the difference.

Installation

Over the years, building standards have changed substantially. The current standards accommodate the popularity of drywall as wall covering, which has led builders to space studs to accommodate the measurements of standard sheets. This means that workers can plaster an entire room using drywall in a single day.

Other wall plaster systems require more time and effort. This is particularly true of lath and plaster, which requires builders to set the lath and net before applying the plaster. Applying other type of wall plaster systems requires skill and knowledge. However, applying drywall plaster and achieving acceptable results is a task that can be performed by almost anyone.

Stability

Plaster walls are susceptible to cracks, especially when there are excessive vibrations or settling of the foundation. On the other hand, cracks on drywall are rare and normally do not occur on entire walls, but the seams. Many manufacturers offer easy solutions such as fiberglass mesh tape and setting-type joint compound for cracks that occur on wall seams. Although walls plastered by drywall may sound hollow when you knock on them, they are strong enough to resist different forms of severe impact. The strength of drywall-plastered wall is because of the presence of gypsum between paper materials of the drywall.

Safety

Majority of homes have drywall-plastered walls. Many homeowners prefer this plastering material because it does not contain harmful materials. Drywall is fire resistant and does not contain asbestos. Although drywall plaster is safe for most homes, some drywall materials such as Type X and Type C have extra fire resistance.

Green boards are special water-resistant drywalls mostly used in homes located in wet regions. Green boards have a special additive that makes them resistant to mold. This type of drywall has significant advantages including being fire and mold resistant. Mold is a dangerous irritant associated with many respiratory diseases.

There are many types of drywall plaster including premade, traditional joint compound and ready-mixed joint compound. Traditional joint compound is easier to apply and dries up within an hour or two after application. Most drywall materials used by builders today come in premade form.

In 1916, the United States Gypsum Company introduced Drywall to U.S. markets. Before this introduction, lath and plaster were the most common finishing materials used in homes and other premises. The two finishing materials continued to be the preferred building materials until the Second World War, when builders were forced to switch to drywall due to shortage of labor. Today, drywall plaster is the most dominant finishing materials used by builders because it is fire resistant, affordable and stable. Some drywall materials are mold resistant.

To understand why we love drywall so much, check out this beautiful infographic: “The Advantages of Drywall for Your Home“.

As a do it yourselfer, you need to keep in mind that installing drywalls can be done even without extensive experience. It’s not that hard but there are some things that you have to know about the process in order for you to do it without making lots of costly mistakes.

The first thing that you have to keep in mind is to have everything that you need before you start. You have to have the tools and equipments that you need before you start installing the drywall. For this kind of project, you will need several things, such as joint compound, hand knife spreader, joint tape, application knife, and bread pan. You will also need a corner taping tool.

Once you have the tools that you need, you are now ready to start installing your drywall.

Another tip that you have to keep in mind is that the drywall demands precise measurement. You also need to make sure that every panel you install is tightly secured to the supports or the foundations that it is nailed to. Besides, there is nothing more embarrassing to have your newly installed drywalls fall down all of a sudden when you are entertaining visitors around your home.

You also have to remember that the nails you use should be long enough in order to keep the panels secured on their supports. You can also use screws if you want or you can use them in conjunction with the nails to provide more support.

When installing drywall, you have to remember that mixing the cement or mud to the right consistency is essential. The consistency of the mix should be like icing on a cake and it shouldn’t be too stiff or too loose. To check for its consistency, scoop up some drywall mud with a trowel and hold the trowel upside down. The mud should not fall down when you do this. And, when applying the cement or mud in to the drywall joints, it shouldn’t take too much effort or you should be able to do this easily.

You also have to remember that when you are on the process of mixing the mud, do not whip the cement. The whipping action will attract air in to the mud, which can form bubbles when you apply it in the drywall seams.

Another great tip that you may want to remember when it comes to finishing drywalls is to use mesh tape instead of paper tape. Because of the fact that mesh tape is porous, it will be able to provide you with a much smoother finish after applying the mud or cement.

Remember these tips and you can be sure that you will have a professional looking finish whenever you install drywalls in your home.

When painting drywall, you have to know about the step-by-step process in doing it properly. If you neglect to do at least one of the processes, you will end up with a painting job that looks quite amateurish.

The first step in painting drywalls is by making sure that the weather is not too humid and it should be fairly warm. You also have to make sure that the surface or the drywall you are planning to pain is dry, free from oil and grease, and that it is completely clean.

You also have to apply 3 coats of joint compound on the drywall and the joints between the panels should be taped with fiberglass or paper mesh tape or drywall tape. By doing this, you will ensure that the joint gets surfaced over. You also have to make sure that you fill in any cracks or marks using the same method.

You also have to clean the walls and ceilings that you intend on painting by wiping off the dust. Do this before priming. After the prime coat has dried, the next step is to sand the surface lightly with a fine grit sandpaper. This will enable you to smooth any imperfections, and raised fibers as well as rough chips. Always keep in mind that you need to wear goggles and mask as the gypsum dust produced when sanding drywalls can be very irritating to the eyes and is known to cause breathing problems.

You should also take care in removing dust from the top of your doorway as well as in the window trims. You also have to use drop cloths in order to protect finished flooring as well as doors, windows, and other fixtures. It is highly recommended that you use a painter’s plastic to do this.

You need to keep in mind that after you taped the drywall and sanded it, you shouldn’t allow the drywall to sit too long. The sunlight can cause the drywall to yellow and fade. In fact, it can look uneven even after painting it. Use a good quality latex stain-killing paint before you prime it in order to fight the yellowing process.

Two coats of paint should be enough. On the first coat, use a low sheen, latex flat wall paint. This should be tinted to match the color of the top coat. For the top coat, use two coatings of gloss paint, which includes eggshell and satin paint. This will leave you with a finish that is easy to wash and one that is not prone to smudges and marks. For the roof, flat paint is a good option.

Always remember that with the proper equipments and preparation, you will be able to have a professional looking finish when painting your drywall.

We know about that green spots growing on your old sandwich bread, but did you know that you can also get fungi to grow on your drywall? If you see that black stuff growing on your drywall that looks a bit like that green stuff growing on your old or stale bread then you definitely have a big problem. This basically means that your home is providing great conditions for Mould to grow.

Although these things don’t really look harmful, but you have to remember that the black fungus growing on your drywall isn’t only ugly but is also dangerous. All Moulds can be eliminated immediately and are not as harmful as the black Mould. If you suspect that this kind of Mould is lurking and growing on your walls anywhere in your home, it is in your best interest to remove it immediately as drywall Moulds is a very serious matter.

Once you locate where the black Mould is growing and thriving, the first step is to protect yourself. The reason for this is that breathing in this stuff can be poisonous to your body. In fact, black Mould can cause respiratory problems and it can even be as serious as bleeding of the lungs. It can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and other serious health problems.

Before you start removing drywall Moulds, try to invest in a pair of rubber gloves, eye goggles and good pair of respirator mask (you can grab these at your local hardware store or classifieds site). These things will prevent you from inhaling black Mould.

The next step in getting rid of the black Mould or drywall Mould is to seal off the contaminated room. You don’t want the spores of the fungus to become airborne while you work, which can spread to other rooms. Use a plastic sheet and duct tape to seal off the room you are working in. Also, you have check the surrounding walls, ceiling and floors as it is not uncommon for fungus to spread in nearby areas.

The bad news is that the Mouldy wall cannot be saved. The reason for this is that the material cannot be penetrated below the area surface, which means that the fungus below the surface of the material or the drywall cannot be removed. Disinfecting the area will not work. This basically means that you have to cut the infected area with a utility knife. Once you cut off the infected area, the next step is to dispose of it in a sealed trash bag and remove it from your home.

The next step is to clean the surrounding areas using a product that is designed for Mould removal. Use only a light touch of the product in order to avoid surface damage. You also have to avoid using bleach as it cannot penetrate below the surface of the material.

After disinfecting the material, the next step is to dry the areas thoroughly. If it’s one thing that you don’t want, it’s allowing the Mould to re-grow on wet surfaces.

After you have completely dried the treated material, the next step is to get rid of all traces of the fungus. After that, you can easily patch the surface where you removed a part of the drywall.

You have to keep in mind that if a large area of your drywall is affected by Mould, the best way to get it removed is by hiring a professional and have the entire wall replaced. This may seem like a costly solution but always remember that what’s at stake here is your health.

Act now while you still have this great Tax Credit!  All Drywall repairs and Drywall installation is covered under the Canadian Home Improvement Tax Credit.  It does end Jan 2010, and only a few months left before it over.

Insulation is a key to maintain the comfort of your house inside.  If you have the right insulation put into your home you will see your power bills drop.  There are places in your home that should be insulated that you may not have thought of such as floors, ceilings, basement walls, overhangs, and the walls inside.  When air can leak in it is costing you money.  Make certain that all of the cracks and the crevices are sealed.  We can help with insulation services, being a professional drywaller it’s important that we know insulation inside and out.

You can help make your home energy efficient by replacing your lighting fixtures with energy efficient models.  You should make use of your dimmer switches also because this saves energy and money.  Open up your blinds and curtains and let the natural light shine in this is how you can save the most on your bill and it is the best way to conserve energy.

When you are using your home appliances you are using a lot of energy.  The best way to save energy here is to shop for new appliances that have the energy star.  The cost of these products may be higher then normal but they are worth the extra money in the long run.

Install some solar panels this will make your home energy efficient.  They use natural resources to create energy.  Solar panels can come in the form of a solar thermal collectors that help the suns energy heat water.  What a great way to use the suns energy.

The Home Renovation Tax Credit applies to home renovation expenditures made between January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010, based on agreements entered into after January 27, 2009.

A tax credit of 15 percent can be claimed on the part of home renovation expenditures over $1000 and under $10,000. That means there is a $1000 deductible, and the maximum tax credit is $1350.

Eligibility for the home renovation tax credit is based on the family. For the purpose of this tax credit, a family is generally considered to consist of an individual, and an individual’s spouse or common-law partner.

Related expenses such as building permits, professional services and equipment rentals are also eligible for the tax credit.

Examples of projects that are eligible:

• Renovating a kitchen, bathroom or basement
• Drywall installtion
• Laying new carpeting
• Putting in new hardwood floors
• Building a deck
• Painting the inside or outside of a house
• Resurfacing a driveway
• Installing a new furnace or water heater
• Laying new sod

Routine repairs and maintenance will not qualify for the tax credit.

Examples of purchases that do not qualify for the tax credit:

• furniture
• appliances
• construction equipment
• tools
• carpet cleaning
• maintenance contracts (furnace cleaning or lawn care, for example)

Get a free no obligation estimate for your drywall project today!

This gentleman offers some great tips, however for all your DIY’ers out there finishing drywall is a real skill that is difficult to learn over a weekend.  Often we find ourselves repairing weekend DIY’ers work and sometimes it’d be cheaper if we done the work from the beginning.  I am all for everyone saving money and learning new skills and I know it’s sometimes fun for the DIY’ers, but I often see some nice people get real frustrated and end up wasting their precious time and money on trying to do it themselves when they could have relaxed and let the professional drywallers rock it out quickly & efficiently.

We offer free no obligation quotes for drywall repair & installation in Toronto.