Drywall Repair and InstallationLately, the internet has been awash with all kinds of rumors on how you can save yourself money if you did all drywalling projects yourself. These blogs have links to YouTube videos describing how easy it is to fix and install sheetrock. This then begs the question, should I contract professional drywall contractors or DIY it myself?
6 REASONS WHY HIRING A
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTOR IS BEST |
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1. You Won't have to Invest in Drywall Materials
When you are installing drywall sheets, you will require several tools to make this possible. Some of the tools that you will need are:
Trim-Tex Automixer: This tool makes it easy for professionals to mix drywall compound. To buy this tool it is expensive and really only used by the experts who do this on the daily.
A 3.5 Corner Finisher with Wheels: This tool enables the user to create a perfect finish around corners. This tool is very costly and can require to you to own more than one.
Renegade Drywall Sander: This tool has a rotating disc used for sanding. The device will cost you more than it is worth for a one time DIY project.
The tools above will cost over $1000 alone, yet you haven't bought smaller items such as a mud pan, utility knife, etc. When you think about the cost, it is not worth it to DIY. Drywall companies often 'eat' a lot of soft costs that are general use to all clients and jobs. As one person working on one project, you will see more unexpected costs than foreseen.
When you are installing drywall sheets, you will require several tools to make this possible. Some of the tools that you will need are:
Trim-Tex Automixer: This tool makes it easy for professionals to mix drywall compound. To buy this tool it is expensive and really only used by the experts who do this on the daily.
A 3.5 Corner Finisher with Wheels: This tool enables the user to create a perfect finish around corners. This tool is very costly and can require to you to own more than one.
Renegade Drywall Sander: This tool has a rotating disc used for sanding. The device will cost you more than it is worth for a one time DIY project.
The tools above will cost over $1000 alone, yet you haven't bought smaller items such as a mud pan, utility knife, etc. When you think about the cost, it is not worth it to DIY. Drywall companies often 'eat' a lot of soft costs that are general use to all clients and jobs. As one person working on one project, you will see more unexpected costs than foreseen.
2. You Won't create a Seamless Look
Do you know that a 12-year-old can install a gypsum board? However, only a skilled artisan can create a seamless finish. For example, when you join two pieces of drywall together, they form a visible crack. Excellent seam filling techniques are required to eliminate the gap.
Do you know that a 12-year-old can install a gypsum board? However, only a skilled artisan can create a seamless finish. For example, when you join two pieces of drywall together, they form a visible crack. Excellent seam filling techniques are required to eliminate the gap.
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3. You Lack the Efficiency of a Qualified Drywaller
How many times have you worked on a project only for it to lag for more than a week? Keep in mind that simple tasks such as doing the laundry, painting a door, etc., take you more than 24 hours to complete. Drywall installation is a time-consuming project. For instance, you require to cover your sofa with a plastic sheet so that dust does not settle on them. Then you need to do the measuring, site preparation, installation, sanding, and finishing. 4. The Walls Might Not be Sturdy
Drywall jobs require the precision of a surgeon as a simple mistake may result in uncostly repairs. For example, if the walls are not adequately held in place, the room's structural integrity might be affected. The wall can be damaged by minor things such as a hanging picture frame. |
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5. You Risk Getting Hurt
Installing gypsum panels is a dangerous job. For example, if it is a drywall repair project, you might inhale hazardous dust particles that cause respiratory illness. If you are installing the boards from scratch, then you will need to use a ladder. If you do not have safety equipment, you can fall and break a leg or a hip.
Installing gypsum panels is a dangerous job. For example, if it is a drywall repair project, you might inhale hazardous dust particles that cause respiratory illness. If you are installing the boards from scratch, then you will need to use a ladder. If you do not have safety equipment, you can fall and break a leg or a hip.
DRYWALL CRACK REPAIR
Structural issues mainly cause cracks in walls. They first develop on the weakest part of the plasterboard and then spread out to the strongest areas. Such gaps will ultimately cause cosmetic defects such as the cracking of doorways and tiles.
Apart from structural problems, cracks in gypsum panels can also be caused by sudden humidity and temperature changes. It is, for this reason, why we advise our clients to have their houses insulated. If your home uses wooden frames instead of metal frames, then the chances of cracks occurring increases. This is because the wooden frames might rot, resulting in structural defects.
Other factors that might cause cracks include settlement at the foundation and the use of improperly sized frames.
Apart from structural problems, cracks in gypsum panels can also be caused by sudden humidity and temperature changes. It is, for this reason, why we advise our clients to have their houses insulated. If your home uses wooden frames instead of metal frames, then the chances of cracks occurring increases. This is because the wooden frames might rot, resulting in structural defects.
Other factors that might cause cracks include settlement at the foundation and the use of improperly sized frames.
How Do We Repair Surface Cracks?
The good thing about sheetrock is that, unlike plaster walls, most cracks occur around the seams. To repair this type of damage, we use a utility knife to widen the gap and fill it with a new compound. Unqualified installers will hold their knives at an angle of 90 degrees instead of 70 degrees. Once the crack has been filled, we allow the mixture to dry and then sand it. When it achieves the required texture, we paint it.
TAPING AND TEXTURING FEATURES
Every drywaller understands the importance of tapping and texturing. These are two critical finishing elements of a house as all visible seams need to be covered with a joint compound. The primary importance of a tape is to strengthen joints. There are several types of drywall tapes in the market:
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Paper tape: It is the most basic type of tape on the market and is preferred because it has a slight crease in the middle, making it easy to fold and use around corners
Fiberglass tape: This is a strong tape that does a good job hiding seams; it is thicker than paper tape, meaning it is harder to cut. It should be handled with care because it can cut your hands and not be used around corners.
Metal tape: Unlike paper tape, the metal tape should not be used on flat surfaces because it will leave bumps along the patch. Instead, it is designed for use around corners. It is hard to tear by hand and can last for several years without needing to be replaced.
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Fire-resistant tapes: These types are more expensive than other types of drywall tapes because they are fire-resistant. We prefer to use it in kitchen areas and where there is a great risk of fire, such as the garage.
Flexible tapes: Flexible tapes are designed to be used in areas where there is structural stress due to loss of movement, such as on doors.
What are some common Texturing Techniques?
Adding texture to your home is an excellent way to add depth and sophistication to it. There are several types of textures available, but you will require exemplary drywall skills to pull it off. Below are some gypsum textures we can create for you:
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Popcorn Ceiling Texture
Popcorn textures have a rounded knob-like surface that is unevenly distributed on the ceiling. This type of surface is suitable when the client wants to hide ceiling repairs. This is, however, losing its popularity because of the fear that it might contain asbestos. |
Spray Sand Ceiling Texture
This texture is created using a spray machine that sprays a mixture of thin mud, water, a primer, and sand onto the ceiling. The good thing about this texture is that it can be used on both the ceiling and wall. |
Orange Peel Drywall Texture
An orange peel texture consists of a cracked, subtly wrinkled surface. It varies from Know down texture because it has gentle curves while Know down does not. It is important to note that it is also known as splatter and looks like orange skin.
An orange peel texture consists of a cracked, subtly wrinkled surface. It varies from Know down texture because it has gentle curves while Know down does not. It is important to note that it is also known as splatter and looks like orange skin.
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Sand Swirl Texture
A swirling texture is created from a combination of both comb and sand spray techniques. A bristled brush is dipped in mud, and the mud is applied to the ceiling like paint. It is called a sand swirl because sand particles are added into the mud. |
Skip-Trowel Texture
This texture adds an artistic flair to your ceiling. It is created by first laying down drywall mud across the ceiling and then using a clean trowel to create raised layers in a random but circular motion. The depth will depend on the amount of mud that had been initially used during the first application. |
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