How to Drywall Attics - Safety and Preparation

Beginning with the basics of installing drywall in an attic, moving to ceilings and angles, then to curves and odd spaces, we will detail the correct application of drywall. You will then learn the proper way to tape and mud and be given a few drywall repair tips.

Drywall

Drywall, often called gypsum, wallboard, gyp board or plasterboard, is made of a crumbly fire resistant substance called gypsum. It is wrapped in a thick paper coating, is durable and easily cut, trimmed and repaired. Drywall can be used to cover conventional bare stud walls or damaged lath and plaster wads.

Because of its unique construction, drywall can be cut, sawed, drilled, bent, nailed, glued, screwed, painted on and papered over.

Standard drywall comes in varied thicknesses - 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch material. Thinner drywall offers the advantages of being lightweight and easy to manage. Thick drywall is stiffer and tends to go up flatter with less waving. The most commonly used drywall thicknesses are 1/2 inch and 5/8 inches thick. Check local codes for specific requirements of your area. The standard panel is 4 x 8 feet, although 10' and 12' panels are available. Moisture resistant drywall is called greenrock and is specially treated for use in bathrooms and other damp areas. The long edges of the panels are tapered to compensate for the thickness of mud and tape used to finish the seams. Drywall panels have one rough and one smooth side. It is the smooth gray surface you want to face outward.

In addition to being easy to work with, drywall is inexpensive. Drywall can be difficult for a novice to finish to a smooth surface. Practice your finishing in a closet or other area of low visibility. You may find a textured finish to be much easier. Once in place, the drywall can be painted or papered (unless it is textured) which makes it ideal for new interior design effects.

Most Common Mistakes:

The single most common mistake in any project is the failure to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for the tool or material being used. Other frequent mistakes include:

Neglecting to make provisions for insulation, ventilation, moisture control and wiring prior to the installation of drywall.
Neglecting to install nail guards where wires or pipes run within the studs so nails or screws will not penetrate.
Placing seams at door corners.
Contaminating the compound with debris or dried chips of compound.
Not getting nailing pattern inspected (check local code before covering nails with compound and tape).
Not having insulation and utilities inspected (check local code) before covering with drywall.
Not sanding between layers of drywall compound.
Driving nails too deep so that they break the paper on the panels.
Not using drywall nails.
Not sanding the final coat of compound to a smooth finish.
Not butting two panels of drywall at the beveled factory edge.
Dinging or damaging the edges of the panels.
Not completely covering the tape with compound.
Not applying the ceiling drywall before applying the drywall on the walls.
Not butting sheets at a stud or rafter.
Applying the drywall sheets with the wrong side exposed.
Creating more seams than is absolutely necessary (i.e. using small scraps).

Safety

As you exercise your Do It Yourself skills, develop safe work habits and stick to them.

Drywall is heavy and awkward to lift and maneuver. It is best to work in pairs, especially when working on ceilings and high areas.
Be careful when lifting so as not to cause unnecessary strain.
The proper respirator or face mask is recommended when sanding or sawing.
Be sure power tools are properly grounded.
Use the appropriate tool for the job.
Keep blades sharp. A dull blade requires excessive force, and can slip and cause accidents.
Protect your eyes from gypsum dust by wearing safety glasses or goggles.
Observe proper use of stepladders. Never climb higher then the second step from the top; use a taller ladder instead. Be certain the spreader bars are locked in place and both pairs of legs are fully open. If leaning the ladder against a wall, a safe distance between the wall and the feet of the ladder is one quarter the height of the ladder. Do not use an aluminum ladder near electrical wires.
When setting a plank between ladders as a scaffold, be sure it extends a foot on each side and is clamped or nailed to its support.
Use the proper protection, take precautions and plan ahead. Never bypass safety to save money or rush a project.

NOTE: Check local code and building requirements before beginning work.

Preparing the Walls:

All electrical and plumbing work (such as installation of new outlets or wall and ceiling fixtures) should be completed prior to installing the drywall. This includes phone and cable TV lines or alarm systems as well. See our Electrical and Plumbing sections for more information.
Place nail guards over studs to protect wires and pipes.
Dampness in the walls or ceilings due to faulty plumbing or poor ventilation should be corrected.
Complete any needed insulation upgrading or installation prior to dry walling.
Mark the location of all wall studs on the ceiling and the floor for your vertical nailing pattern reference.
If you are placing drywall over an existing wall, remove all the baseboards and note the locations of the nail holes in the wall surface. These nails will usually be in the center of a stud. Check this by drilling a hole (1/8" drill bit) into the wall above a nail to find the stud. When you are confident you have found it, measure over 16 inches (studs are usually 16" or sometimes 24" apart) and drill again until you find the next stud. Mark the stud location on the ceiling and the floor for your vertical nailing pattern reference.
Note : Keep in mind, on a lath and plaster wall, you will need to drill through the plaster and one inch thick lath before you hit the stud.
Check to see if any studs (or rafters) are badly bowed and would cause the drywall to protrude or bow inward. This is especially critical around doors and windows where trim win later be applied. Correct these with shims or by chiseling, planing down or even replacing before proceeding.