Are you interested in installing drywall in your home? Whether you’re working on a restoration process or in the beginning stages of flipping your home, don’t let drywall installation intimidate you. Although there are common mistakes made with a drywalling project, they can easily be avoided. Let’s dive a little deeper into what to avoid so that you can be successful.
Screws Too Deep
One common mistake in drywalling is driving screws a little too deep. This breaks the paper surface of the drywall, which prevents the screw from holding properly. To prevent this from happening, you should drive the screw head a quarter or half turn past the surface of the paper. Use the clutch of the drill to properly set the depth of the drive.
Tight Joints
When adjacent sheets fit together too tightly, drywall can also break during or after installation. It’s crucial that you allow space for expansion and contraction as seasons and climates change. If you do not do this, you can expect cracks. Try to keep a 1/8-inch space between sheeting during installation so that this doesn’t happen. Use a guide to help you achieve this spacing.
Unstable Fastenings
A common mistake is creating an outlet hole that doesn’t quite fit after you first cut it. When this happens, make sure to trim the opening before you fasten drywall to framing. If you do not do this, drywall can break around the electrical box during trimming. Of course, you can still fasten the sheet with a few screws so that it will stay put, but don’t fasten it all the way until the hole is correct.
Misaligned Window and Door Joints
Lining the edge of drywall with a door or window frame is another cause for future cracking. When a home settles and shifts over time, the joint located adjacent to a door or window will be weaker than solid drywall. It’s best to notch drywall around openings instead of making a joint in these spots. Do so by laying a full sheet over the opening and cutting out the space you need after fastening. It’s best to use a drywall saw, an essential tool you’ll need to drywall. Be sure you don’t join sheets at the edges to prevent any larger issues.
Drywalling can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time doing it. However, if you avoid these common mistakes with your drywalling process, you’ll be happy with the end result.