Handy Man Fix Home Repair » Drywall

Drywall Guide 101

keira — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:19:59 +0000

Drywall is used as a modern building material that is available in large panels such as 4 feet by 8 feet. The standard drywall panel has a gypsum core which has been sandwiched between two faces of heavy paper. These heavy paper faces are commonly constructed from recycled paper products. One of the faces is very smooth and the other is rougher like Kraft paper. The smooth face is the surfacing face. The purpose of drywall was to replace older types of processes for interior finishing that required lath and plaster and were significantly more labor intensive.

Drywall is aptly named as it goes on dry rather than wet like some materials such as plaster. There are a number of different proprietary names that are used to describe Drywall, including Sheetrock, Gyp Board, Plaster Board, Gypsum Board and Wallboard though many of these names refer to specific brands and types of Drywall and not to Drywall in general.

There are numerous benefits associated with Drywall, including that it is generally inexpensive, can be used in a wide variety of different applications, is easy to work with and is also capable of being used in place of plaster walls. Drywall is capable of readily accepting a wide range of different finishes and paints and it is also easily cut into the right shape using a sharp knife. Once it has been taped in and sanded down, Drywall allows for near immediate painting and finishing. Another important benefit of Drywall is that it is a non combustible material.

Drywall has a unique shape and unique construction. It has recycled face paper around its edges, protecting and reinforcing the core. The short edges are smooth and square cut. The long panel edges have special shaping that involves tapering, allowing for joints to be properly reinforced with the use of special tape and then properly concealed using special finishing compounds. Once the joints have been properly taped and then finished, an installation that is well done will be nearly invisible.

For most typical residential applications, drywall is capable of being used on ceilings and walls. Drywall also comes in many other different types, different thicknesses and also different sheet sizes depending on what type of application you have in mind for it. The most common panel size for residential dry wall is 4 feet by 8 feet and ½ inch thick although there are other thicknesses and other panel sizes as well for residential construction, to repair severely cracked plaster ceilings, for door frames and window frames, for one-hour fire rated walls, and for purposes where walls need to be water resistant. There are special types of water resistant as well as mold resistant drywall boards that can be used for wet applications such as bathrooms and kitchens, and these boards and panels have green paper faces.

Photo Credits: shareski

Originally posted 2009-07-29 05:57:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Related Posts

Hello world! The url, blog, theme, and plugins appear to all be working... So Hello world! Welcome to my handy man blog... I will be writing about how to do (build, install, customize, demolish) absolutely anything using eco friendly energy efficient materials and techniques when appropriate around the house/office… Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry,......
Drill Types Whether you are working on a production floor or just around your own house, drills can help to provide a variety of different assistance in creating and repairing different projects. Drills are one of the power tools that is used the most, and there are a number of different drill......
Repairing Damaged Drywall Sheets of drywall are generally quite strong, but they are only made out of gypsum plaster that has been pressed between two sheets of thick paper. The thing that ensures rigidity is the kiln drying process. The basic construction of the drywall allows for it to be inexpensive as well......
Basic Home Repair: Home Improvement DVD The Basic Home Repair: Home Improvement DVD is designed to provide complete details and lessons on home repair topics including energy conservation, home security, replacing a faucet, sweating copper pipes, replacing toilets, unclogging drain clogs, replacing the caulk on a tub, replacing lighting fixtures, repairing broken lamps, replacing tiles that......
Gutted! By Lawrence LaRose If you’re thinking about buying an old house to restore, stop right now and buy this book. It is the absolute epitome of what you should not do, and it may even make you change your mind. Anyone interested in home improvement horror stories will love this book, and there......

Online Stores

Dealing with Drywall Damage

keira — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:54:09 +0000

A common result of when you have a plumbing problem or a leak is water damage to the drywall in your home. However, because water damage will not simply go away, it is a home repair project that should absolutely take priority on your agenda.

Trying to spot water damage? Look for bulging, cracks, sagging and discoloration in the drywall.

Water can easily run and drip along interior pipes, so you should look not only on the walls but also the ceilings when trying to spot water damage. You should not be surprised if you find water damage occurring in a place nowhere near where the leak or plumbing issue is. If you become aware of water damage, it is vitally important that you immediately address the problem. Once drywall has become wet, it will become the ideal environment for mildew and mold to grow and fester, complicating what would normally be a quick fix.

If the damage that you find is only small cracks in the drywall, then the damage from the water will likely be an easy fix. You can buy a ready mixed compound for spackling for this purpose, and they are easily applied using a simple plastic putty knife. You can use a piece of fiberglass mesh tape to provide a better structural patch for the area and then apply the putty over the time. More structural work will be required for larger repair needs.

When you are dealing with a larger portion of drywall that has been water damaged, the first thing that you need to do is to remove all of the material that has been compromised. You should use a drywall hand saw or a jigsaw to remove the damaged areas of the drywall. Drywall that has mold or mildew is not capable of being saved and should simply be thrown away. Use a high intensity fan to air out the area, drying the remaining damaged areas out. The area should be allow to dry for a minimum of twelve hours in order to make sure that the leak has been fixed properly and to ensure that the area is completely free of moisture before continuing with the repairs.

Drywall that has been damaged by water is capable of being repaired using a patch, which is a replacement drywall piece that has been fitted and carefully blended into the existing drywall in order to appear unnoticeable. There are now water resistant forms of drywall, which make the best option when it comes to repairing areas damaged by water. Simply cut the drywall patch and fit it into the area that was previously removed. Fasten the patch with screws or nails to hold it into place, then tape the joints together with fiberglass or paper drywall tape and use drywall mud to cover everything up. Let everything cure for approximately 24 hours, then sand the joints to make sure that the wall surface is completely flat and ready for repainting or retexturing.

Photo Credits: sevensixfive

Originally posted 2009-05-27 13:51:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Related Posts

Repairing Damaged Drywall Sheets of drywall are generally quite strong, but they are only made out of gypsum plaster that has been pressed between two sheets of thick paper. The thing that ensures rigidity is the kiln drying process. The basic construction of the drywall allows for it to be inexpensive as well......
A Beginner’s Guide to Home Inspections If you are considering buying an older property to renovate or repair, it is very important to make sure that you get an inspection done on the home before you complete the deal. Every year, homeowners end up with homes that are beyond repair, simply because they did not take......
How to Update Bathroom Cabinetry Whether you have only a little bathroom cabinetry or a large vanity and other cabinets throughout the room, updating the cabinetry can refresh your bathroom in the absence of a total remodel. Bathroom cabinets can start looking worn prematurely, usually much faster than kitchen cabinets, because of all the moisture......
Book Review: Insulate and Weatherize - Expert Advice from Start to Finish By Bruce Harley As energy costs continue to rise, many homeowners are starting to get serious about how much money they are wasting on home heating costs. In reality, if your home is poorly insulated, and you have not taken the steps to weatherize it properly, the fact is, your money is going......
How to Fix a Hole in the Wall Holes in the wall are pretty shocking when it happens, but luckily, this is a fix that most people can do on their own. There are a few exceptions, such as if the hole is overly large or if there may be underlying damage that is structural. However, in most......

Online Stores

Repairing Damaged Drywall

keira — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 01:35:19 +0000

Sheets of drywall are generally quite strong, but they are only made out of gypsum plaster that has been pressed between two sheets of thick paper. The thing that ensures rigidity is the kiln drying process. The basic construction of the drywall allows for it to be inexpensive as well as quite easy to use. On the downside however, drywall is also capable of becoming damaged relatively easily.

In many homes, you will find dings, nicks and holes in the walls that need some attention. If the damage is not extending all the way into the drywall, then the fix is actually really simple. Remove the loose paper or plaster around the edge and apply drywall spackle. Once the drywall spackle has been allowed to dry completely through, you can sand the area. Make sure to apply another coat if it needs it. Sand once again one the drywall spackle has dried and you are good to go.

But what happens if you are dealing with a larger problem, such as a hole in the drywall? If you hire a professional, you will usually get a job well done but it will cost money that you may not be willing to part with. Drywall repair is actually easy if you have the right tools and know how. Here is one of the ways that you can repair the drywall in your home that has become damaged:

Old Fashioned Way - For this method you are going to need a drywall saw, a piece of wood, a tape measure, drywall screws, scrap drywall, a cordless drill, drywall tape, drywall spackle and a putty knife.

The first thing that you are going to want to do is cut away the damaged area with the drywall saw in order to make it easier for you to repair. Cut the area into a square, removing the affected section. Measure the dimensions of the area that you cut, and create a piece of scrap that meets those dimensions. Next you are going to want to take your wood, inserting it into the hole so that the entire open space is spanned. Now use your cordless drill to attach drywall screws on each side to secure the wood to the back of the drywall.

US $3.52

Sale

Originally posted 2009-10-28 03:16:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Related Posts

Dealing with Drywall Damage A common result of when you have a plumbing problem or a leak is water damage to the drywall in your home. However, because water damage will not simply go away, it is a home repair project that should absolutely take priority on your agenda. Trying to spot water damage?......
DIY Home Flooring Repairs Methods by which floors are repaired depend entirely on the type of floor you currently have. Factors like the type of floor, and damage severity are important points to consider for repairs. Repairing Ceramic Tile Nothing ruins a kitchen or bathroom floor like a chipped or cracked tile. Luckily, ceramic......
The Basics of Drilling Hold the drill properly! If you want to drill a much straighter hole and to avoid breaking your drill bits, you need to hold the drill in such a way that the force you are exerting is going to help you push the bit directly straight into the wall. You......
Rookie and Beginner Woodwork Projects Just like with many other types of jobs, when it comes to woodwork projects, planning is of the utmost level of importance. Cutting wood and working with wood is always going to demand that you utilize careful planning and a step by step approach toward reaching the ultimate goal for......
Tools to Have on Hand The best way to save money around the home is to tackle the home repair items yourself. Large jobs may be better suited for professionals, but there are plenty of tasks that can be tackled. The best way to be prepared is to have a well equipped tool chest. However,......

Online Stores

Review of Drywall Pro Tips For Hanging and Finishing

keira — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:10:57 +0000

John Wagner's book on Drywall tips is incredibly useful and is well suited for beginners or those with a modicum of do it yourself experience. Experts probably won't get much out of it, but for its intended audience, it definitely hits all the right notes. Even if you're not planning on drywalling any time soon, you can get some great tips for repairing common wall issues, so it is definitely well worth the purchase price.

What sets this book apart from the competition is the attention to detail. Too many how-to books don't include enough diagrams and photos to fully illustrate the process of how to do something. This is one of the few that went to exhaustive lengths to make sure that each process is thoroughly documented. This is incredibly helpful for beginners that really need to have a visual representation of what they need to do to get the job done.

For those completely new to drywall, the beginning section covers everything you could ever need to know about it. From the different materials that are used to make it, to its many forms, such as moisture or fire resistant, this is a great place to start before you begin your next project. You'll be able to shop for drywall with a whole new appreciation and it will make the selection process much easier.

Common accessories and tools that are needed for drywalling are also covered and make it easy to see exactly what you are going to need to complete a project. You can use this as a virtual shopping list to make sure that you have everything necessary on hand before you start your project. The tools and equipment section is absolutely exhaustive and very useful. It also covers the tools for safety and how to build a "deadman." This is used if you will be installing drywall on your own and it makes it much safer.

The next section of the book is divided up into how to cut, install and finish drywall. You'll learn a bunch of different techniques that are designed to make the entire process easier while producing professional results. There are numerous little tips sprinkled about and we recommend taking a glance at them a few times. You can really learn a lot from the tips on their own.

The section on repair is very useful, especially if you're trying to figure out how to fix an existing wall without having to completely replace it. This makes the book worth the price on its own. Although drywall isn't the most fascinating subject in the world to many people, this book makes it easy to understand and a little bit fun. While it's probably not something you'd read for pleasure, it is well suited for the DIY lover and weekend warrior.

By the time you're done, you'll be able to hang drywall and fix it like a pro. In fact, you may just find yourself itching to try out your new skills!

Originally posted 2008-11-17 04:36:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Related Posts

Learn How to Build a Wall You may end up with a remodeling project that involves learning how to build a wall in the interior of your home or another similar building. Building a nonbearing interior wall is actually a relatively easy process. If you have basic carpentry skills and a good set of working tools,......
Book Review: What Your Contractor Can't Tell You: The Essential Guide to Building and Renovating by Amy Johnston Why do so many home improvement projects end in disaster? According to Amy Johnson, the author of What Your Contractor Can't Tell You, it's due to the fact that homeowners simply don't have access to the right tools, knowledge and planning abilities that the pro's do. Her basic premise is......
Review of The Complete Guide to Ceramic and Stone Tile Black and Decker's The Complete Guide to Ceramic and Stone Tile is a must read for anyone that is considering renovating their home. This is a great guide that makes it very simple to understand how to do even complex tasks and the project section alone makes it worth......
Big Book of Home How To By Better Homes and Gardens When it comes to dealing with the authority on home improvement, you can’t much better than Better Homes and Gardens. For decades they have been helping and inspiring home owners throughout the world. Let’s see if their latest book is worth the money and if it can help you with......
Review of the Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair Black and Decker are known for the terrific DIY guides and this title is no exception. As the name suggests, you’re getting step by step photo instructions that make it easy for anyone to fix up their own home without having to be a professional handy person. You’ll get......

Online Stores