Drywall
stilts may look a bit strange, but they can
save do it yourselfers a lot of time. If you
are planning to drywall many ceilings and high
walls, stilts are a great way to save you from
having to move your ladder too often: some
jobs may require you to move your ladder two
or three times to tape and mud a single seam.
Another great way to speed up your drywalling
project is to use a drywall lift to position
your sheets of drywall.
Drywall stilts are not for everyone, because
they can be dangerous. (in some countries like the U.S. they might even be disapproved by local authorities like OSHA). Using drywall stilts requires
strong coordination and good physical condition,
because you will be using the muscles in your
legs to keep yourself upright and balanced. But
like any tool, drywall stilts can be mastered
with practice and hard work.
Before
you start using drywall stilts you should stretch
your leg muscles, particularly your calves.
Using stilts has been compared to wearing
ski boots, since your ankles are virtually immobilized.
Thus it is important to make sure your legs are
ready to compensate for the unaccustomed stress. You
should also make sure your materials such as
taping tool or the
sander are within easy reach
before you mount your stilts – nothing
is more irritating than having to dismount to
reach your supplies and drywall tools. Your ladder
can be useful for this task, as can scaffolding.
Using a drywall lift
A drywall
lift, as its name implies, lifts sheets
of drywall so that you do not have to. This useful
tool holds your material much steadier than any
assistant can, and will ensure that your seams
stay straight while you fasten the sheet
to the ceiling.
Unless
you are planning to install drywall on a regular
basis, you should rent a lift. They are available
from many rental agencies. Before you bring
your drywall lift home, make sure you ask a
staff member how to operate it. While most
lifts are relatively simple to operate,
it would be a shame to ruin even a single sheet
because you did not know how to
operate it.
Time
savings with stilts and lifts
Stilts and lifts can cut your project time
in half or more, and can increase the amount
of work you will be able to do without an assistant.
That is why most professional installers use
drywall lifts and stilts.
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