Drywall

[lupi]

So in my bottom floor I have a room that has below average condition wood panel walling. Thinking about taking it all down instead of attempting to repair it. I've watch crews put up drywall several times and looking at it, the process looks rather simple. How would it be though if putting it up yourself for the first time.

 

[nickbits]

Putting it up isn't too hard. The tricky part is doing the taping and mudding so that it doesn't look like garbage after its painted.

 

[Krazy4Real]

Putting it up isn't too hard. The tricky part is doing the taping and mudding so that it doesn't look like garbage after its painted.

100% this.

 

[highland145]

100% this.

3rd.

Hang it and pay someone to mud/tape it.

 

[herm0016]

Putting it up isn't too hard. The tricky part is doing the taping and mudding so that it doesn't look like garbage after its painted.

truth. mudding, taping and sanding is a pita, is messy and is best done by pros. if you do it yourself, be ready to buy a lot of sand paper.

 

[highland145]

truth. mudding, taping and sanding is a pita, is messy and is best done by pros. if you do it yourself, be ready to buy a lot of sand paper.

The guy that did mine didn't sand between coats because he used just the right amount. Scraped over the joints with his mudding knife. Did sand a little on the last coat.

Professional.

 

[DaTT]

The guy that did mine didn't sand between coats because he used just the right amount. Scraped over the joints with his mudding knife. Did sand a little on the last coat.

Professional.

This is how it should be done. Tape, then fill coat, then final coat, then sand. A good job requires very little sanding.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have a cousin that used to do drywall for a living....and one that still does. The one that used to do it said, the worst thing about that job is that he was expected to fix poor carpentry. Guys would frame a room in and screw up the walls by not squaring things or not factoring in dead wood when framing. They had the attitude of "The drywall guy will fix that later..."

My current drywalling cousin is in his 50s....said that mexican drywall crews are about to put him out of business because they do cheap work...but not necessarily quality. He's often asked to fix jobs that are botched by these fly-by-night crews....and repairs don't typically pay as much as doing the full job...so he's hurting for business.


Word of advice. When you take down the wood, do a quick visual check for mold if it's in a downstairs area.

 

[natto fire]

Putting it up isn't too hard. The tricky part is doing the taping and mudding so that it doesn't look like garbage after its painted.

As someone who has done quite a bit of drywall, this is the best response, and conveniently located directly after OP!

I still am not very good at mud, and after comparing my time per square foot to a pros, it is almost comical how much faster and easier to paint the latter is. I used to work as a commercial electrician and have seen 10's of thousands of square feet of drywall done.

Now that there are ultralight panels, you might be better off hanging it yourself and paying someone to mud. Hanging it still requires a bit of skill, if you don't want the person mudding to curse you.

 

[DaTT]

As a home owner, I am glad I have the skill of framing, drywall and taping under my belt. I did this for several years and it's a skill that you never really lose.

If you do try to to the drywall yourself, be sure to plumb the first sheet of drywall. It will make the rest of the job easier.

 

[Markbnj]

Best way to get the joint compound smooth is to wet wipe it when you first lay it on. Use a sponge and rinse in a bucket of warm water. Otherwise you'll have a lot more to sand off. And don't use sandpaper. User sanding mats made for drywall. Get one of these...

http://www.lowes.com/pd_422620-5183...l=1&currentURL=?Ntt=drywall+sander&facetInfo=

And possibly one of these...

http://www.lowes.com/pd_422212-5183...l=1&currentURL=?Ntt=drywall+sander&facetInfo=

And a few packs of these...

http://www.lowes.com/pd_218697-1069...l=1&currentURL=?Ntt=drywall+sander&facetInfo=

 

[rudeguy]

I've drywalled before. Its not super complicated by any means but it is painstaking. The pieces never fit together like you had measured them to and there are always seems that just won't sit right.

And then there is the sanding. If its your place, chances are you are going to sand like a mad person. You are going to want it to look perfect and that takes time and patience.

Make sure you have help. Its possible to do on your own but you really want at least another set of hands helping you.

 

[skyking]

the sponge is by far the best way to 'sand'. Timing is everything, and if you do it right the dust and cleanup is all but eliminated.
My neighbor is a pro. I'll help him move things and do framing, but I just get in the way when he is hanging and taping.

 

[7window]

I have a cousin that used to do drywall for a living....and one that still does. The one that used to do it said, the worst thing about that job is that he was expected to fix poor carpentry. Guys would frame a room in and screw up the walls by not squaring things or not factoring in dead wood when framing. They had the attitude of "The drywall guy will fix that later..."

My current drywalling cousin is in his 50s....said that mexican drywall crews are about to put him out of business because they do cheap work...but not necessarily quality. He's often asked to fix jobs that are botched by these fly-by-night crews....and repairs don't typically pay as much as doing the full job...so he's hurting for business.


Word of advice. When you take down the wood, do a quick visual check for mold if it's in a downstairs area.

Putting up drywall is easy. Texturing is an art. Taping it and making it seamless depends on how big the job is. Its best to leave the texturing and taping to professional. Its very hard to DIY if first time.

Mexican are cheap but does a good job. They did mine and I have no complains.

Molds on the wood. Can't you just spray that with bleach? Of course replacing it is another option.

It would be cheaper to (drywall) if you ask someone to do it.

 

[highland145]

Molds on the wood. Can't you just spray that with bleach? Of course replacing it is another option.

It would be cheaper if you ask someone to do it.

Need to fix the moisture problem prior to sheet rocking.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

The key to mudding is that less is more. Thin coats where you don't sand between them is the key. Also, I like using some of the more durable compound for bedding the tape because it will protect it from any sanding you do. The premixed compound is also almost always too dry so add some water and it spreads much better. It us also imperative that you keep tour tools clean. Any old dried out compound is going to severely jack up your work when it gets into your mud.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I just framed my basement, well a few places still left but mostly all done. Going to dricore, build the server room walls, then next year when I have the money I'll insulate and drywall. Still debating on getting someone to do the drywall. It's kind of hard to carry 4x8 sheets into the house alone and trying to maneuver them around etc... The actual install is probably not that hard, it's the physical aspect, if alone. Delivery services don't help bring in the house, they only drop on your driveway, so you have to do it in summer when it's hot, too. Unless you want a bunch of drywall that's full of snow then the snow melts and it gets wet.

Got dricore and lots of 2x4's delivered last year in middle of winter, was no fun bringing that in the house and trying to get the snow off so they don't get all wet and rot. There's some that I missed, as I'd run into swealed dricore tiles while installing. Can't imagine trying to haul sheets of drywall.