If you need to install new drywall, whether it’s for an entire room or just a few small repairs throughout the home, it’s possible and fairly easy to do it yourself. However, there are a few steps you need to take if you want the quality of your work to appear professional. The staff at Unique Flooring in San Diego has a few tips to help you hang your drywall like a pro.
Measure Twice and Cut Once
This old saying really applies when it comes to drywall. Double check your measurements, then use a chalk line to mark exactly where to make your cut. For most cuts, you’ll just need to score the board along the chalked line and then sharply snap the sections apart.
Use Plenty of Screws
Use drywall screws to fasten the sheets to the studs, and make sure you use enough of them. Drywall that isn’t securely fastened to the studs can move and create cracks in your finished drywall compound.
Choose the Right Compound
Choose a premixed p/purpose drywall compound. This type of compound will stay fresh and easy to work with if you remember to secure the lid properly after each use, and it will set up slowly, which gives you plenty of time to finish applying it before it starts to harden.
Spread the Compound Smoothly
Use a wide drywall knife and spread your compound on the sheet as smoothly as you can. The smoother your application is, the less sanding you will have to do later. Be careful not to put the compound on too thickly for the same reasons.
Apply Multiple Coats
Apply your first layer of drywall compound and let it dry. Go back and add more compound to any areas you may have skimped on earlier or any places where the compound settled or shrank.
Sand the Compound
Use a wet sanding sponge to even out the dry compound, but don’t sand too much. Vacuum the dust off your walls and touch up any depressed or shrunken spots with leftover compound, then wet sand these areas once they are dry as well.
Put on Another Thin Coat of Compound
Professional drywall installers add one last step that most DIYers don’t. After you finish sanding, thin some compound with water until it reaches the consistency of pancake batter. Use your wide-bladed drywall knife like a squeegee to apply a thin coat of the compound to the entire surface of the drywall.
When installing your drywall, don’t forget to keep your floors protected. For tips on how to keep your floors safe when tackling drywall installation or other DIY projects, get in touch with Unique Flooring. We offer a wide variety of flooring options, including the Bel Air laminate, Arizona tile, and Provenza flooring San Diego homeowners prefer. Call 760-945-0010 today to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives and receive a complimentary quote.
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