Knowing
how to drywall can be a valuable skill for
any homeowner or do it yourselfer. If you are
contemplating any sort of project that involves
finishing rough walls, such as a basement renovation
or even building your own home, learning how
to drywall can save you hundreds of dollars on
a drywall sub contractor. By knowing how to drywall
you can complete a vital step in the renovation
process yourself, without having to seek "expert" advice.
Learning
how to install drywall is not that difficult
a process. There are two important factors
to knowing how to drywall - getting your seams
to match and starting with a flat wall to avoid
bulges or bends. If you are renovating a basement
be sure to examine whether your walls are straight – unfinished
walls sometimes warp on their own and this
warping can affect your drywall. The effects
of warping may not show up for years, but eventually
warping will cause your putty to crack and
may cause bulges in your wall. One great product
for checking to see if your wall studs are
even is a laser level. These innovative new
tools are fast becoming the drywaller's best
friend, because you can tell just by following
a beam of light whether your studs are off.
How to drywall with perfect seams
Once you have a flat stud wall, it is important
to get your seams to match. Although you will
have to cut some sheets, your goal should always
be to use the slight depressions on your sheets
of drywall. These depressions make taping much
easier, and can save you from having to sand
endlessly to achieve a flat surface.
You
can also use a laser level to mark your studs.
This will ensure that your screws are in a
straight line. Remember, any time you "miss" a
stud with a drywall screw means more filling
and sanding later on.
How
to install drywall tape and "mud"
Once
all your seams are straight and all your sheets
are in place, it is time to tape and "mud" your
drywall. This process is made easier by the availability
of buckets of drywall mud. Remember to apply
your mud evenly, and avoid air bubbles which
will need to be filled in later.
Doing it yourself saves you money and gives
you a sense of accomplishment, and there are
few skills more valuable to the home renovator
than knowing how to drywall.
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