Drywall Installation Mistakes

Drywall is quickly gaining traction in the construction industry across the world. It is the preferred choice of building material for architects and contractors. With the advent of new technology, today construction is faster and much more robust that it was a few decades ago.

Computer-aided design and new building materials such as drywall and fiber cement board are enabling the new dawn in the construction sector. Drywall installation is easy and not messy like brick and mortar construction. However, there are more than a few misconceptions and mistakes that both installers and contractors make during drywall installation. Let’s address them through this article.

1.Over Screwing the Drywall

It often happens that the screws or nails are driven too deep that they break in the surface. It might not look like a problem initially, but over screwing leads to broken paper face which makes the nail lose its holding power. The solution here is to drive the screw head just enough to the surface. SCG Self-Drilling Wing Screw helps in regulating the depth of the screw during drywall installation. Remember to use SCG screws and avoid oversized third-party screws for best results.

Another thing to notice here is that if the paper surface is actually punctured – leave it as it and drive another screw near the previous one.

2.Over Sanding the Drywall Surface

Yes, aesthetics matter in all construction projects; however, over sanding the surface of drywall to achieve perfect smoothness is unwarranted as it can damage the surface of the seam. The idea here is to go ahead with the sanding process judiciously and not be too aggressive. A smooth surface will improve the paint finish by miles. Installing a light at the bottom of the wall will help in achieving results that are smooth.

3.Drywall Joints are Too Tight

Overtightening the drywall joints can be an invitation to huge problems. For two adjacent sheets of drywall that are aligned side-by-side, overtightening the joints between them can lead to breaking. The idea here is to allow some room for expansion and contraction of the frames during drywall installation. Typically, keep at least 1/8” of space between the sheets or head over to our knowledge centre and check out the installation manual to know about the perfect practices for drywall installation.

4.Misaligning Holes for Electrical Boxes

It is no doubt that cutting a perfect hole in drywall can be tricky; however, a professional is equipped with tools and experience to make the correct measurements. For a flawless finish, a professional will typically use a ‘Blind Mark,’ – a tool that is used for perfect cutouts. Instead of manually doing it with markings, cutters and what not – a tool like Blind Mark will ensure precision.

5.Checking the Fit Before Fastening Screws

Even after having the perfect cutouts for electrical boxes it is necessary to ensure that the fit is perfect. If the fit is not accurate, drywall can break or create unnecessary tension on the surface. Hence, it is necessary to check the fit of electrical boxes before pressing and fastening the drywall to its position.

Drywall installation should be done carefully to ensure the best fit and finish. Application of tape is also necessary before painting and texturing to ensure that finishing touches are up to mark. Furthermore, covering the crevices with joint compound is also critical, and only a professional knows how to use it the best.

The era of construction is changing, and drywall is quickly becoming the choice of building material. However, since it is a new technology, it becomes more important to know the basics of installation to get it right. We at SCG Smart Build, offer the best drywall solutions for numerous applications to suit all needs. Contact us, if you or your contractor has any questions regarding drywall installation and we will be happy to address them.