Everything Homeowners Need To Know About Drywall
Drywall is the preferred surface for walls and ceilings in home building and remodeling because it is readily available in various sizes and types.
In building, large drywall panels are fastened to a house’s inner frame using drywall screws. The corners are beaded, joints taped, and then covered with joint compound, which is then sanded after a short curing period. Once the drywall is up and fully secured, it can be easily painted with just about any type of paint the owner wishes.
Drywall is usually simple to install, versatile, resistant to mold and flame, and perfect for professional construction and DIY remodeling.
Introduction To Drywall
Drywall was developed in the early 20th century as an alternative to plaster walls. Since then, drywall has established itself as the standard wallboard for many construction purposes. Prior to the development of drywall, most walls were constructed using laths of wood covered in plaster. When applied, plaster made from gypsum or lime was moist. In contrast, drywall comes in big, prefabricated sheets, and the wall is “dry” when it is put up, only needing a wet joint compound between sheets to fill in gaps after installation.
Due to its ease of installation and repair, drywall has displaced plaster as the preferred material for wall construction. Many people refer to drywall as “Sheetrock,” but this is a brand name, much as how “Band-Aid” refers to a specific brand of adhesive bandage. Therefore, drywall is the preferred generic term.
What Drywall Is Made Of
Gypsum is the primary material making up drywall. A backing material is covered with a slurry of crushed gypsum, water, and other chemicals and then dried. The gypsum board that results is both fire and mold resistant. Because gypsum is widely available, drywall tends to be reasonably priced.
Paper or fiberglass is frequently used as a drywall backing material. Even though the gypsum component is mold-resistant, paper backing can develop mold when exposed to water. Fiberglass backing material, however, possesses additional resistance to moisture and mold but is still not meant to withstand continued or excess exposure to water. As handy as drywall is, it should be remembered that gypsum is water-soluble and that sustained water damage must be addressed immediately.
Fire-Resistant Varieties of Drywall
The backing material and the gypsum core of drywall can have different treatments that affect their resistance to fire. Type X drywall, for instance, is thicker than typical 1/2-inch drywall and incorporates glass fibers inserted in the gypsum core. Because of this, Type X drywall can withstand significant fire damage for around an hour. With more glass fibers incorporated into the gypsum core, Type C drywall enjoys an even greater fire resistance. Some tests have Type C drywall outlasting Type X drywall in the amount of exposure to fire by at least double.
Maintaining Healthy Drywall
While drywall has its advantages, it doesn’t take much to damage it. That said, patching, repairing, or replacing drywall isn’t all that difficult if you know what to do.
Patching Drywall
When drywall acquires tiny holes, abrasions, scrapes, and indentations, patching is usually the most popular repair option. Some spackle and a smoothing tool are all required for small holes or blemishes.
Even larger holes can be repaired with a patch. You can find all the tools you need in a drywall patch kit from any hardware store. The patch is applied over the hole, followed by a joint compound, and smoothed over until the edges match the wall. After drying, you can repaint the affected region or the entire wall.
Repairing Drywall
Holes six inches or larger are going to need more than a patch. Fortunately, repairing is still within reach of most homeowners.
The process primarily involves replacing the damaged area with a fresh piece of drywall. Simply cut a piece of drywall large enough to cover the damaged area but with just enough space around it to allow it to be placed in the area being fixed. Next, trace the damaged area to help determine the size and shape you need. The new piece of drywall should fit perfectly as a result. You would then affix the new piece with some joint tape and joint compound, followed by a fresh coat of paint.
You might need additional backing support with two wooden furring strips for larger repairs.
Replacing Drywall
Sometimes, it is not practical to repair the drywall if the physical damage is significant and extensive enough.
When moisture builds up on drywall due to plumbing problems or inadequate insulation, the material may begin to degrade over time due to mold and bacteria. Repairing holes from deterioration and painting over mold stains will only mask the more serious issue of faulty plumbing, leaks, or insulation.
At this point, you should prioritize fixing the source of the problem, then removing and hanging new drywall after the problem has been fixed. Professionals often do this best unless you already have experience installing new drywall.
Drywall Repair and Installation Tools
Before engaging in DIY repair or installation, you should know the necessary tools.
The Essentials List
If you expect to be working on the drywall in your home or building, you should have the following items in your toolbox ready to go. Most are available at hardware stores.
Carpenter’s pencil
Chalk line
Drill fasteners
Drywall T
Mud pan
Outlet marker
Putty knives (4”, 8” and 12”)
Sanding block
Tape measure
Utility knife
Drywall Mud
Drywall mud is used after hanging drywall to hide joints, smooth out dings, and perform repairs. It’s an essential part of the drywall installation process and is often used in repairs. It usually comes in a powdered form mixed with water or as a premixed paste. Most repairs and DIY installation projects can use an all-purpose drywall mud. Still, more advanced varieties, such as topping and sanding muds, are used for getting specific desired finishing effects.
Drywall Anchors
When you want to hang items on your drywall but don’t want them to pull out and fall, you’ll want to take advantage of drywall anchors. The most common types you’ll see and likely use are plastic sleeve anchors, self-drilling threaded anchors, molly bolts, and toggle bolt anchors. Each work by expanding and biting into your drywall to help ensure the mounted item stays in place.
In most cases, the weight of the object you want to hang will determine the drywall anchor you use. Your choices typically are:
Plastic sleeve anchor: Under 10 lbs
Self-drilling threaded anchors: 10 to 25 lbs
Molly or traditional toggle bolts: 25 to 50 lbs
Toggle bolts: over 50 lbs (or screw drywall into an actual stud)
Some drywall anchors can support up to 100 pounds, but before hanging expensive objects from them, you may want to test them first.
How To Find Drywall Installation Contractors Near Me
Finding a trustworthy and dependable contractor for home renovation work, such as drywall installation or repair, can be challenging. Here are some things to keep in mind when hiring a contractor.
Interview three contractors at a minimum.
Request references.
Know the going rates for labor and supplies.
Expect to put down a deposit.
Verify insurance and licenses.
Make sure proper permits are acquired.
Negotiate ground rules before signing a contract.
Keep receipts and copies of guarantees or warranties.
Wait until the job is finished before making the final payment.
Call Pro Paint & Finish To Handle Your Drywall Installation and Repair
Sometimes it’s preferable to leave repairs to drywall and plaster to professionals. That’s where the knowledgeable team at Pro Paint & Finish comes in.
With more than 15 years of experience, we can manage your interior drywall installation and repairs and deliver perfect results. In addition, we offer color-matching services, so your new drywall will blend seamlessly with the interior of your house.
Our work is backed by a two-year warranty and has earned us an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. For a free consultation, call today. (574) 596-3072
