5 Drywall Mistakes You Could Be Making

It seems like everyone believes that installing drywall is simple and doesn’t require any prior experience, but that couldn’t be further from the reality.  Homeowners who are into DIY drywall projects often find themselves devoting a significant amount of time to rectifying errors committed during the initial stages of the process.

Regrettably, in the realm of drywalling, not all errors are rectifiable; occasionally, it necessitates starting anew from the beginning.

Many individuals sometimes underestimate the complexity of drywall installation, mistakenly supposing that they can easily accomplish it without recognizing the intricacies involved. There exist several frequently encountered errors in the process of drywall installation. The factors to consider are edge support, frame locations, tapered edges, ensuring proper fit before fastening, and limiting the number of joints.

Errors in the installation of drywall might result in significant expenses and need the acquisition of fresh materials. Whether you are a novice drywall installer or an experienced DIY enthusiast, our list of the five most significant errors in drywall installation will serve as a helpful reminder of what to steer clear of and how to rectify any problems that may arise during the project.

How to Avoid Common Drywall Mistakes?

If you intend to install drywall in your home this year, here are some typical errors you might come into and ways to prevent them:

Over Screwing Drywall

A common mistake made while installing drywall is to use more screws than necessary. Excessive screwing can result in surface damage to the board, leading to a weakened grip of the screw on the drywall sheet. To address the problem of overscrewing, a simple solution is to insert a screw adjacent to the one that has been excessively screwed.

Oversanding Drywall

An excessively frequent error that often arises during the installation of drywall is the act of oversanding. Prior to sanding, use caution and avoid applying excessive force, as this may result in oversanding and causing harm to the seam. Having a well-illuminated workspace is optimal for achieving optimal visibility during sanding.

Improper Frame Support

When installing drywall to the frame, it is common for people to overlook the need for additional backing to provide support for the hanging of the drywall. Inexperienced individuals may incorrectly fasten screws to the inside corners, resulting in diminished structural support, potential damage, and faulty installation of the drywall. To compensate for insufficient support, append an extra 2×4 adjacent to the original frame.

Nails vs. Screws

If you haven’t thought about it before, now’s the time to do your research. Using nails to secure drywall is not recommended. All around. Utilizing screws is essential for securing drywall sheets, as nails can result in unstable drywall, compromised seams, and the potential for a catastrophic collapse of the sheets.

Nails gradually induce sagging in drywall and are unable to tolerate any form of severe handling. Each instance of contact with the wall, whether it be brushing against it, having objects thrown at it by a child, or due to the movement of the house’s wooden beams caused by weather, pressure, and moisture fluctuations, can cause the drywall nails to gradually loosen and compromise the structural stability of the drywall.

Create Unnecessary Joints

If you’re a novice or doing the project yourself, you might want to buy the bare minimum of drywall materials to save money. Although it may appear prudent at first, ultimately, you will expend additional time and financial resources in attempting to reduce expenses. Take into account the quantity of sheets required to completely cover a wall. 

If you have the option to cover a wall using either two 12-foot long sheets or four eight-foot long sheets, it is advisable to choose the option with fewer sheets. Although handling and manipulating 12-foot long sheets may present difficulties, it ultimately simplifies the process of taping and applying layers of compound.

Maintaining a narrow gap between adjacent drywall sheets can lead to potential issues in the future. Professional drywall installers provide a ⅛-inch gap between the placing of sheetrock to accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of the building’s frame. This practice prevents the occurrence of cracks and damage to the drywall. Keep in mind that it is more convenient to cover a gap than to cut and mend damaged drywall.

Drywalling: Doing it Yourself vs. Hiring It Out

Is the above starting to sound a bit daunting? The reason for this is that it can indeed be true. Drywalling is not merely a straightforward do-it-yourself home renovation project. If you are looking to hire an expert contractor in the GTA for drywall and other renovation projects, contact Valcast Construction.

Every home is different, and drywalling requires experience. What is the size of the area? What requires restoration? Has your house become misaligned due to prolonged deterioration? The optimal method for drywalling depends on a number of circumstances, and there are instances when doing it yourself is not worthwhile.

We have received numerous customer feedback expressing a similar opinion, stating that they initially believed that undertaking the task yourself would result in cost savings.

Even if you just want to do some minor tasks around the house, like redoing drywall, give our professionals a call and ask for their assistance and perhaps even a price quote. It may end up being less expensive than you had thought and well worth the investment to avoid having to redo it repeatedly.