4 Sheetrock Installation Tips

There are many things that you can do to make your sheetrock installation as simple as possible. Sheetrock, also known as drywall, is the finishing touch on a wall build, and helps you to avoid the difficult business of plastering your wall. Sheetrock is often made from a gypsum product, and is durable. If you get your sheetrock installation right, then you will be able to use the wall for many years to come. You can have a professional come in and fit your sheetrock for you, but it is easily done by a home improvements fan, and with some basic household tools, you should be able to complete this project easily.

Have Help

Large sheets of drywall are difficult to carry. Not only are they heavy, their very size makes them awkward to manipulate. If you want to place your sheetrock on the wall intact, then you should consider getting some assistance with the moving of the sheets. In addition, sheetrock needs to be lifted and carried very carefully, not only to avoid damage to the sheets, but in order to prevent back injuries and muscle strain on the part of the DIYer. As an alternative to getting help, you could cut all of your drywall into smaller sheets, but this will mean more effort when you are installing them at the end.

Be Safe

Just because sheetrock installation is simple and not hard doesn't mean that there are not some dangers involved with the process. Sheetrock is sometimes inclined to crumble when you are installing it, and this can mean that your skin touches the pieces of gypsum, or you inhale them. Wear protective glasses and gloves, and use a face mask when you are installing sheetrock. You may also want to wear protective clothing to ensure that you don't come into contact with the broken off parts.

Measure Several Times, Install Once

You may have heard the old adage, Measure Twice, Fit Once. This is always good advice when you are doing any home improvement project, but it is especially true here, where you will need to fit your boards exactly into the wall. Measure your wall, measure the sheetrock, mark out the cut, and then measure the wall again just to check. You can never be too careful when you are fitting these boards, as they are not cheap.

Hold It Down

Once the sheetrock is against the wall, you will need to screw it into place. You will need a drill, or an electric screwdriver in order to get the screws fitted exactly. You need to press the nails into the studs behind the sheetrock, and you also need to push the heads of the screws in until they are embedded in the sheetrock. Place a screw around 11-12 inches apart to secure the drywall. You may want to add more in order to secure it. Choose suitable drywall screws, as other varieties may damage the sheetrock.