Installing drywall makes a room appear larger.
Older mobile homes tend to have walls that are covered in dark paneling. The dark paneling makes the interior of the mobile home feel cramped or even depressing. Installing drywall and painting light airy colors will make the rooms in the mobile home feel larger. Installing drywall is not difficult if you are handy with a utility knife and a drill driver. Finishing the drywall is a skill that takes practice and attention to detail, but most people can learn to do it.
Instructions
1. Remove all outlet covers, batten strips, baseboard and ceiling trim.
2. Measure the wall where you plan to begin to be sure the first sheet will begin and end on a wall stud. Trim the drywall length if necessary. The drywall will install horizontally across the walls. When cutting drywall, use a metal straight edge as a guide and score deeply with a utility knife. Stand the sheet of drywall on end and bend to snap it on the scored line. Cut the paper on the back of the drywall sheet with the utility knife.
3. Starting in a corner; slide the drywall up the wall until it is tight against the corner and the ceiling. Use the drill driver to drive screws 12 inches apart into the drywall along the studs. Continue around the room until all the upper walls are covered. Cut around windows by installing the drywall over the windows and then cutting the window opening with a small saw. Cut openings for electrical outlets before installing the drywall. Measure from the edge of the last panel installed to the electrical outlet. Measure the top and bottom of the electrical from the floor. Transfer the measurements onto the sheet of drywall and cut out with the utility knife.
4. Trim the lower edge of the drywall for the second row. Stagger the joints by starting with a shorter sheet of drywall on the bottom row.
5. Apply a thin coating of drywall compound to the seams and use a drywall knife to embed the tape into the compound. Cover the tape with a light coat of compound and smooth with the knife. Cover the screw holes with compound, wiping excess off the drywall with the knife. Fold drywall tape in half lengthwise for corners. Apply compound to both sides of the corner and smooth the tape into the compound with the drywall knife. Apply a light covering coat to the corner tape. Allow the compound to dry.
6. Use a wider drywall knife to smooth a second coat of compound over the seams, corners and screw holes. Use a damp sponge to smooth knife marks in the compound before it dries. Allow this coat of compound to dry overnight.
7. Thin the drywall compound with a small amount of water and re-coat all the seams and corners. Apply a light coat to the screw holes if needed. Allow thorough drying. Sand the compound smooth.
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