Tips for Hanging Drywall

by Build Your Own Home · 1 comment

in Drywall

Hanging DrywallDrywall Hanging Tips, Checklist, and Overview

- Flange tubs installed prior to sheetrock. Check for damage and review with contractor to confirm it is in good shape prior to his work beginning. It is very common for tubs to be chipped and damaged during either the sheetrock or tile stage of finishing out the bathtub areas. It will be important to know who damaged the tub. It is possible to repair tub chips, but you can expect to pay a local contractor upwards of $200 to repair the damage. This is an expense you do not want in your budget.

- Insulation complete, inspections passed
- Insulation removed for changes or repairs is properly reinstalled prior to drywall

- Ceiling drywall installed first, then followed by wall installation

Nailed or Screwed Properly (12″ On Center).
- 1/2″ drywall should use 1 1/2″ screws
- 5/8″ drywall should use 1 5/8″ screws
- Drywall screws installed enough to recess into drywall but not enough to penetrate paper protection

No bowed sheetrock on walls, ceilings, columns, or any other area for that matter.

Wall Joints Staggered. This is to help prevent any lines from being visible in the finished drywall product
Note: Final result of sheetrock finish will depend largely on the level of drywall finish agreed upon.
This method is also to provide better structural integrity to the building and the drywall to help prevent cracks in the future

Plugs. switches and fixtures cut out and not oversized. Oversized cut outs will become a nightmare in the finishing out process. It is a good idea to set an specific note in the contract regarding the size of the cutouts. Over sized cutouts will become a patch nightmare and will likely result in extra costs from your painter and electrician.
-Sheetrock cut flush with door trimmers

Medicine cabinets, fireplace openings, attic ladders, can lights, and other extas cut out. It is not uncommon for the individuals installing the drywall to mistakingly cover up other objects. This could also include air conditioner supplies and returns. It is important to walk the job during the drywall process while the locations of these items are still fresh on your mind so that you might remember the locations of items covered with the drywall.

- Bath areas properly protected from water prior to sheetrock (i.e. 15lb felt)- nailed directly to studs
- Drywall screws/nails 8″ on center in wet areas with galvanized nails/stainless screws
- Tape joints completed with an approved concrete fiber mesh tape embedded in thin set
- Double layer concrete backboard installed in this area (or greenboard or another form of water safe drywall)
- Gypboard (greenboard) installed at least 8′ if not to ceiling, and installed past intended edges of shower

- Tubs cleaned of sheetrock, screws, nails and inspected for damage

- Window returns, sheetrock openings, sheetrock art niches, and other details plumb.

- Note in contract that subcontractor is responsible for covering up problems

- Contractor should use small pieces in closets, over doors and windows, or in other small areas where imperfections might not be seen

 

Any tips or tricks? Discuss them in the comments section and join us in the brand new forum ask questions.

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

InVertedPD September 30, 2011 at 10:55 pm

I have little holes (more like dents)that Don’t go to deep ( like an 8th of an inch) made by plastic bbs, can I just sand the m and the area and fill with drywall Compound?

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: