Install drywall by yourself with these easy to follow instructions.
Instructions
1. First, you have to install drywall on the ceiling. Ceiling drywall should always be 5/8". Using a drywall lift, position the piece on the lift and turn the wheel until the drywall is a few inches from the ceiling. Reposition the drywall a little and turn the wheel until the drywall hits the ceiling. Then push the piece into the corner and screw a 1 ¼" screw into one of the corner ceiling joists to closer than 6" from the wall. Insert a screw on the wall side of the drywall all the way down and start working toward the opposite side. Screws should be installed about 12" apart along the ceiling joists.
2. When you need to cut a hole for a can light or a light fixture box in the ceiling, measure from the last piece you installed and the edge of the wall or the edge of another piece to the middle of the hole. Draw a picture if it helps. Since the hole is round, measure the diameter of the light fixture that is going to be exposed and divide that by 2. This will give you your radius measurement. Lay your tape measure on a flat surface and take a compass to match up the radius onto your compass. Then make a circle with your compass, using your center mark from your original measurement, and cut the circle out with a Roto Zip tool. A Roto Zip is a small router that comes with cutting bits as well. It is widely used by drywall professionals. If you have a square hole ever, just measure to the corners and connect the dots. If you are a little off, use your Roto Zip tool to trace around the perimeter of the light fixture or can box. It is very important to stagger your drywall sheets so as to not get tear lines down the road.
3. For installing drywall on the wall, the sheets should be hung laying horizontal and should be ½" sheets. THE TOP SHEET SHOULD ALWAYS BE INSTALLED FIRST!!! Make sure you give the sheet a good thrust up when setting the sheet into place. Then install a series of screws to hold the sheetrock in place. The screws should be installed every 12".
The bottom sheets should be snug to the bottom of the top sheet. Use a piece of 2x4 and a flat bar to hold the drywall in place when you step on the back of the pry bar. Install screws every 12". There should be a ¼" to ¾" gap at the bottom. This is good as it allows some air movement and helps your house breath.
4. Now that you have the drywall hung, it is time to tape and mud the joints. You will need mesh tape and paper tape for the corners. Tape all the seems except the corners wit the mesh tape. Always use a lighter weight joint compound to avoid shrinkage. Apply a coat with a small trowel over the mesh taped lines. Make sure you are only pulling mud. Go back over immediately with a larger trowel with mud on it to spread the mud over a wider area and increase that look of a flat surface.
For corners, use an old paint brush and paint the joint compound into the corner. Use a lot of joint compound. Then press the paper tape by the seam and press it gently on the mudded corner. Use your smaller trowel with mud on it to push the paper into the corner while at the same time applying mud over the paper. IF THE PAPER HAS A LOT OF AIR BUBBLES IN IT, YOU DIDN'T USE ENOUGH MUD ON THE WALL ORIGINALLY. Tear the paper off and try it again.
5. Repeat this process with the ceiling and wait at least 8 hours to dry. Now go back and sand the seams until they feel smooth. There should not be any ridges or bubbles. Now apply another coat of mud using only the larger trowel. Also, go over the nails with a coat of mud. This requires the small trowel and a very small amount of mud. Repeat this process at least 3 times.
6. Once you are satisfied with the wall, it is time to texture. A hopper and an air compressor can be rented. Mix the texture up with water in a 5 gallon pail and dump the contents into the hopper. Then spray the texture in a diagonal motion to cover the most space. After you spray the texture you can either let it dry or use your trowel some more to "knock down" the texture for some added character. Let the texture dry for at least 8 hours.
Congratulations! You have just installed drywall and textured it. Now all you have to do is prime and paint.
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