Learn How To Drywall

by John Bakers

Dry walling can be tough work, and it should never be undertaken if you are not quite sure what you are doing - it is not something you can pick up on the fly. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. You simply have to take the time to learn how to drywall properly, so you end up with walls you can be proud of.

Every drywalling project has to start with a few easy steps. First, get those tools in order: you’ll want sandpaper, joint putty, a scraper, a hammer, thinner, plaster and patches on hand at least. Minor variations may exist depending on the job you need to do, so get some advice before you get going.

Sandpaper, however, is a must, because you begin the drywall process by sanding the walls to remove any lumps. Sand right down to the white area. Use a cloth to clean up any debris from the sanding so it does not get trapped under your drywall and paint.

Do you have holes in your wall that require some tender loving care? Then use joint putty fill the holes, and use a scraper to smooth out the rough spots. If your holes are especially larger or deep, you may need a few coats of putty. Remember to allow adequate drying time in between and smooth as much as possible between each round.

After you have prepped everything, you simply need to hang your drywall. Pay special attention to making sure the boards are as flush against each other as possible - wide separations will need to be filled with more putty and smoother again.

The trick with drywall is to be as patient as possible. There are a lot of fiddly little jobs involved with drywalling, and beyond that, there is a lot of downtime waiting for layers to dry. This is not a job you can finish in one day, but it is important you give the job as much time as it needs. A mistake during the drywalling process is almost impossible to fix later.

Painting the Drywall

With your drywall hanging on your wall and as smooth as possible, now is the time for the fun - the painting. Paint color is of course a matter of choice, but you do have to be sure you pick a type of paint that is designed for the drywalling material and room you are painting. For instance, bathrooms and kitchens require special paints.

About the Author:

John Bakers continually creates web pages on themes related to drywalling and how to articles within drywall. You might find out more about his comments on how to dry wall over at http://www.insidewoodworking.com .