Drywall finishers use joint compound to hide seams.
Builders hire drywall hangers and finishers to cover the interior of a building with large, flat panels of paper-faced gypsum drywall. Also called Sheetrock or wallboard, drywall panels rest over wood studs and create even, flat walls and ceilings. Drywall workers use special tools and supplies to attach the drywall to the wood studs and then hide the joints between the panels.
Function
Drywall is an inexpensive form of interior covering. It comes in large sheets of various sizes and thicknesses. The cost of drywall depends on its size and features. For example, some brands have special paper coverings that minimize mold development. Others are flexible enough to bend around a curved framework, such as might appear on a dome ceiling.
Drywall Hangers
Drywall hangers use screws to attach the drywall to building interiors. First, the hangers cut the drywall to size using utility knives. Then they use nails to temporarily hold the panel in place. Finally, hangers use a special screw gun that installs screws to an appropriate depth in the drywall. If a screw penetrates too far (if the screw head breaks through the paper surface of the drywall), the drywall will not be secure, so the screwing process is especially important.
Drywall Finishers
Drywall finishers hide the seams between drywall panels and cover the installation screws. When they finish, the walls and ceilings are ready for paint. Finishers use joint compound, often called "mud," which is a plaster-like material that leaves a smooth finish. Over seams, the finishers bury paper drywall tape within the joint compound. This prevents cracking along the seams. To smooth the surface of their work, finishers often sand with special sandpaper or abrasive sponges. Typical drywall-finishing tools include large flat knives or trowels, joint-compound holders (such as mud pans or drywall hawks), sanding poles and other basic construction tools.
Expert Insight
Drywall workers often use tall scaffolds and ladders to access high ceilings and walls, presenting an elevated risk of injuries from falling. Drywall workers also encounter risks typical to construction sites, including risk of electrocution due to exposed wiring and risks of cuts due to working with sharp saws and tools.
Considerations
Workers often receive training by starting out as apprentices. After several years, as skills develop, workers may begin to manage others, estimate costs, order materials and take on other job tasks. Salaries vary among regions. As of 2010, the median hourly wages for drywall hangers were $18.12 and for drywall finishers were $21.03, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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