Hanging drywall is hard work; make it easier with some expert tips.
Drywall, also known as gypsum board or sheetrock, was invented in 1894, but became very popular with new construction and home renovations after World War II. Drywall is so named because it does not require the use of water for installation (as does plaster). Drywall is cumbersome, and installing drywall on the ceiling is a challenging job. Make the job a little easier with some helpful tips.
Get a Helper
Drywall is extremely heavy. Drywall boards are manufactured in sheets of 4'x8', 4'x10' or 4'x12'. These boards can weigh in excess of 120 pounds. Therefore, drywall ceiling installation is not a one-person job: get a helper or two, to avoid injury. Rotate the laborious tasks and lift heavy loads together.
Rent a Drywall Lift
Install heavy drywall sheets with a drywall lift.
The drywall lift, also known as a drywall jack, is a large metal jack that holds and raises large sheets of drywall. The drywall lift has two arms with metal extensions to hold the drywall onto the rack; you manually spin a wheel to crank the drywall up to the ceiling. Many building supply stores lease these drywall lifts at very affordable prices.
Use Adhesive
Construction adhesive will help give your drywall sheets a tight seal, with no sagging. Gluing the ceiling drywall will also help to eliminate squeaks from movement on the floor above the ceiling. Apply adhesive to the ceiling joists only to the current section you are installing the drywall; you will have about 10 minutes to install the drywall until the adhesive begins to dry and harden.
Use Drywall Screws
Do not use nails for hanging drywall on the ceiling. Use screws approved for drywall installation. Moreover, use longer drywall screws of approximately 2 inches in length when hanging sheets on the ceiling, to provide a better bond to the ceiling joists. Drill the screws into the drywall far enough to dimple the drywall's paper surface, but do not break the surface of the paper. Space screws roughly 7 to 9 inches apart.
Provide Adequate Ventilation
Heat rises, and thus ceilings are very warm. Provide adequate ventilation when working on ladders in heated environments; run a fan or open a window, if possible.
Use a Rotary Saw
Rather than pre-measure and pre-cut holes in the drywall to account for ceiling fixtures, use a special cutout tool, instead: the rotary saw. The rotary saw is a single, thin saw bit that freely spins on a hand-held motor; the rotary saw can be used to slice through the drywall. Since it is used in a freehand manner, the rotary saw will easily creates circles and various odd shapes with precision.
Apply Joint Compound Carefully
To eliminate laborious sanding and re-applications later, apply the joint compound smoothly, with care. A smooth first and second coat will make the sanding and priming jobs much easier. Also, be aware that ceiling lights shining on the ceiling will reveal any bumps or imperfections in the drywall joints and patching jobs.
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