Gypsum drywall covers the walls and ceilings in almost all new homes mainly because it goes up a lot faster than plaster-so fast that, when pros do the work, it looks easy.
But many do-it-yourselfers have trouble with a few common stumbling blocks. Here are some tips on avoiding trouble and making drywall repair and installation work easier and faster:
– Fastening. During installation you can eliminate several potential problems that surface only later, when you apply tape and joint compound, mainly at seams between panels and along rows of nails showing every 16 or 24 inches.
The best solution to a host of problems from bent nail scars to hammer gouges from off-center hits is to use screws instead of nails.
That’s what the pros do because screws go in faster and hold better, too. Nailing specs generally call for nail spacing of about 7 inches on ceilings and 8 inches on walls.
But when you shift to drywall screws, specs call for fewer fasteners since they have more holding power, generally 12 inches apart on ceilings and 16 inches on walls.
Novices will appreciate another benefit: driving screws with a drywall bit in a 1/4-inch electric drill.
It may not be as slick as the power screwdriver a pro would use with a torque limiter to turn the small screw heads just into the drywall surface every time.
But even with a basic d-i-y drill, the end result will be cleaner with screws. There won’t be any off-center gouges and the neater small dimples left by the screw heads are very easy to spackle.
– Spackling. Before you begin, whether you use nails or screws, take a few seconds to run the edge of your spackling blade over the fasteners to make sure they are recessed.
If the blade makes contact now it will leave a noticeable ridge once you start spreading out compound.
If you can get spackle on the wall all right but have trouble producing that last smooth stroke, try wet finishing with a sponge.
Apply and smooth out the compound as best you can, then wipe the seam gently a few times to smooth out the surface.
