Previous Project | Hanging Drywall Smoothly Next Project

		DO keep the name of Brigitte’s jazz band in mind when working with drywall – “Handle Like Eggs.” Drywall is easily crushed or damaged. DON’T try to hang drywall by yourself. You need a friend for moral support AND to hold up the other end.

Hang, Tape, Mud

1. Before you begin, make small marks on the ceiling and the floor to mark the location of the studs. It will make your work a little easier later.
   
2. Hang the 4 x 8 sheets of drywall horizontally. Work from the ceiling down to the floor.
   
3. Attach the sheets to the studs using drywall screws. Start in the middle than work to the edges. The screw head should indent the service just slightly. You’ll cover this with tape and mud later.
   
4. Place the screws about ½ inch away from the edge of the drywall sheet and about 7 – 8 inches apart.
   
5. If the sheet will be surrounding an electrical outlet box, dry fit the sheet, mark and cut the required opening and then attach the drywall.
   
6. To go around a window, install the drywall sheet first then use a drywall saw to cut around the shape of the window.
   
7. If you need to cut the full length or width of a drywall sheet it’s easiest to “snap” it. To do this, mark a line where you need to make the cut. Place a straight edge along the measured line and cut through the top paper layer of the drywall with a sharp knife. Place the drywall sheet on a table or a workbench and snap. Cut through the remaining paper layer from the bottom side.
   
8. As you work your way down the wall, you need to stagger the joints of the drywall sheets. This makes a more stable wall surface. Start the second row with a half sheet and then continue across the room.
   
9. When the wall or room is completely finished, it’s time to tape the seams, finish the corners and apply the drywall compound. This is the time when Brigitte always pulls a disappearing act. Poor Anthony! Maybe it’s because Brigitte knows that taping and mudding drywall takes a little practice to get right. If this is your first effort, take your time and work carefully.
   
10. Let’s start with inner corners. Get your drywall compound, your applicators and the corner tape ready. Apply a thin layer of compound from floor to ceiling, just a little bit wider than the width of the tape. Apply the tape on top of the compound and use an edge to press it into the corner. Cover the tape on ONE SIDE of the corner with compound. Let dry. Then do the other side.
    
11. Thin layers of compound are better. They provide a nicer finish and they dry faster.
    
12. When the compound is completely dry (don’t rush it!) do the first sanding run. You will need to do three applications of compound, sanding between each one.
    
13. To cover the seams between sheets, unroll sticky fibreglass mesh drywall tape over the seam. Cover with a thin layer of compound. Let dry and sand. For the second coat, extend the compound out beyond the initial application. Let dry and sand. The compound for the final application needs to be just a little thinner. Add a little water and apply it beyond the previous application. Let dry and sand until smooth.
    
14. For outer corners you’ll need to apply a corner bead. This is gives the corner a clean angle and extra strength. Using tin snips cut the corner bead to the desired length. Tack into place with nails placed about five to six inches apart.
    
15. Now you need to cover the corner bead with drywall compound. Working from the ceiling down, apply the mud horizontally across the corner bead first. When this is done, do a final vertical pass from the top to the bottom with the edge of the blade protruding a little past the corner. Let dry and sand. Repeat for three applications.
    
16. This is time-consuming work – maybe THAT’S why Brigitte always leaves.
    
17. But you’re finished now, ready for primer and paint.
    

Building Materials, and Sico paint BMR/Builders Warehouse 3636 Innes Rd. Orlean, ON K1C 1T1 p. 613-824-2702 French doors Window Works 854 Boyd Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2A 2E1 p. 613-728-0888 French door (manufacturer) available of Window Works. For other locations, please check their website Bonneville Doors and Windows Lighting and electrics The Electrical & Plumbing Store 31 North Side Road Ottawa, ON K2H 8S1 p. 613-721-2116

Previous Project | Hanging Drywall Smoothly Next Project