Daily Tip for Home Builder – Drywall:

Always start drywall with outside wall first (after ceiling). Start at top of wall and work down. Use toe lift to leave 1/2” gap under lowest piece. If more than one horizontal seam is needed make it disappear by running it below eye level in center of wall. Type X drywall must completely enclose an attached garage interior. All walls and ceilings where it adjoins house. Steel beams and columns must be enclosed in 2 or 3 layers of type X drywall for fireproofing. Check local code. Drywall screws for studs are 1 1/4 inch. Drywall screws must be non-corrosive Use shorter screws when attaching drywall over pocket doors install drywall perpendicular to ceiling joists For 9’ ceilings run drywall 4’ X 10’ vertically cut down to actual height. This should make fewer seams than running it perpendicular to studs. For 9’ ceilings run 4.5’ X (10’ up to 16’) sheets perpendicular. Goal is the least total length of seams and no junctures with 4 corners. Long side of drywall sheet is factory tapered which makes it easier to tape and plaster the seam. Cut edges almost always look worse when plastered so don’t use scrap pieces. Some drywall has treatment for resisting mold and mildew. Good idea to treat interiors of all wall cavities. Don’t cut out openings in drywall opposite from each other in adjoining walls. Stagger them for soundproofing. Outdoor patio ceilings can be sheathed in exterior grade drywall with V-shape tongue and groove. Mildew proof and seal them before painting. Consider spray-on acoustical plaster for drywall ceilings No drywall seams over door or window edges to avoid cracking; instead join in center of rough opening. Always use 3 coats of mud over drywall – use flashlight to examine seams and screw/nail holes Mark all stud positions on floor before drywalling!!!! Don’t fasten drywall to multi-board beams because they move and crack; instead bridge the seam. Always run drywall and sheathing perpendicular to studs. Leave 1/2” gap between drywall and finished floor base to eliminate wicking later from water spills/flooding. Taper mud further out on butt joints than on factory tapered joints 3 coats of mud over three days; sanded after each coat. Drywall has factory tapered edge (longwise to eliminate crowning of taped and plastered joints). Caution for odd size widths. Omit fasteners in drywall where walls and ceiling meet to prevent popping and cracking; otherwise, 7” to 1st ceiling fastener 8” to 1st wall fastener. 4’ X 8’ x 1/2” drywall sheet weighs 55 lbs; X-board and green board 66 1bs. Minimize the number of joints by using 10’ or 12’ (16’?) drywall sheets. Drywall also comes in 4.5’ widths for 9’ ceilings.