Drywall finish and Sheetrock Basics

This is the part of the site that teaches about sheetrock hanging and drywall-finish techniques.

Sheetrock is really inexpensive, so you can learn how to do the tape and texture thing really well without breaking the bank.

First we need to prepare the walls. Sometimes, the walls are distorted and uneven. In this case you just need to use furring strips to even things out. You may even need to cut some of the wall studs so that they are all nice and even.

You will also need to nail in some furring strips in corners and places like that so there is something to nail to. Remember, all the sheetrock needs to have framing behind it.



You may also need furring where the sheetrock doesn't quite line up on the wall stud. By the way, furring strips are just strips of wood usually sold in bundles. They are 1X2-inches and 8 feet long.

Once you have all the walls prepped for the sheetrock, you can put up the first sheet. There are several ways of doing this, but I'll be brief and show you just one way. Ofcoarse, a more detailed how-to-guide is my book, Sweat Equity, it covers several aspects of drywall-finish and repair. Every home should have a copy of it.

Now, we'll need either a drywall hammer and nails or a drill and screws. It's important to not hammer the nails or sink the screws in too far. You just want to sink them slightly below the surface of the paper. The nails holes are easier to cover that way.



I like to put the sheets on horizontally. This makes a horizontal seam four feet up the wall which is a perfect height for the drywall-finish jobs.

how to hang drywall



The ceiling panels are done the same way. You may need some help with those. Many drywallers use twelve foot sheets for the ceilings. I don't because it's too hard to keep them in place.

You will need to thin down the joint compound or the "mud". I like it at the consistency of thick cake batter, but everyone is a little different that way.

Now, the mudding part or the taping is really tricky. It takes practice. Don't get discouraged, just get a range of trowel sizes starting with a 4,5, or 6-inch taping knife.

Some people use a taping tool called a banjo. It applies the mud to the paper as you pull it out. I just use a roll of tape on my belt. You need to dip the knife in the mud and coat the seam. Then you apply the paper and run the knife over it gently to squeeze out excess mud and air bubbles.



The trick to drywall-finish techniques is to create the appearance that the joint isn't there by making a wide mound over it with mud. Once the first coat is dry, you can sand any bumps that need it, then get a wider trowel.

This time a 7 or 8-inch trowel is perfect. Scoop up the mud and apply an even layer along the seam the width of the trowel.

Don't put the mud on too thick or it will crack when it dries. That means more sanding and sanding isn't fun at all. Once that layer is dry, grab a wider trowel.

You should let the mud dry at least 12 hours. Apply the last coat with a finishing trowel. It's about 12-inches wide and does a good job covering things up.

nailing drywall



You can texture your walls by using a hopper and an air compressor. This is really popular right now. Try to get an even coat of mud on the walls.

You will need to thin down the mud a lot thinner than you use for taping. It's good to get a mixer that hooks on to your drill to mix the mud.

drywall hopper



You can run a long trowel down the walls to flatten the mud. It's a popular design. You can also take a brush and make designs in the mud. This is perfect for ceilings but making designs on walls isn't so hot because making designs in the mud can sometimes leave sharp edges. That is all for drywall-finish techniques.

Continue reading here: Bathroom tile and concrete shower pans

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Readers' Questions

  • leah
    How to mix joint compound without air bubbles?
    8 months ago
  • To mix joint compound without air bubbles, follow these steps:
    1. Start by pouring the desired amount of joint compound into a clean and dry bucket.
    2. Slowly add water to the joint compound while mixing it with a paddle attachment on a drill or a mixing stick. Use a 1:1 ratio of joint compound to water as a general guideline.
    3. Mix the joint compound and water together gradually, ensuring that you scrape the sides and bottom of the bucket to incorporate all the dry compound.
    4. It is essential to mix slowly, avoiding quick or aggressive movements, as this can introduce air into the mixture and create bubbles.
    5. Continue mixing until the joint compound has reached a smooth, creamy consistency. You may need to add more water or joint compound as required to achieve the desired consistency.
    6. After mixing, let the joint compound sit for a few minutes to allow any air bubbles to rise to the surface.
    7. Gently stir the mixture again to remove any remaining air bubbles.
    8. If you notice any stubborn air bubbles, use a putty knife to press them against the side of the bucket to release the air.
    9. Remember, it's generally better to mix small batches and avoid over-mixing to prevent excess air bubbles. Additionally, using a high-quality joint compound and clean tools can also help minimize the formation of air bubbles.
    • Sara
      Do it yourself sheetrocking?
      1 year ago
      1. Choose the type of sheetrock you need for the project. Consider factors such as the location and amount of moisture that may be present.
      2. Measure the wall space and mark where the sheetrock should be cut.
      3. Use a power saw to cut the sheetrock to the necessary size.
      4. Apply a coat of paintable primer to the sheetrock to ensure that the joint compound will stick.
      5. Place the sheetrock onto the wall and use a level to make sure it is even.
      6. Secure the sheetrock to the wall with drywall screws.
      7. Attach metal corner beads to the corners of the sheetrock to secure the joint.
      8. Prepare a mixture of drywall joint compound and water, and use a trowel or drywall knife to apply it to the seams.
      9. Spread the joint compound evenly and use a damp sponge to remove any bumps or imperfections.
      10. Allow the joint compound to thoroughly dry.
      11. Apply a coat of paintable primer to the joints and entire sheetrock surface.
      12. Finally, apply the desired paint color to the sheetrock.