Drywall is also known as sheetrock and while it seems it is not very difficult to hang yourself, it is a lot more complicated than it first seems – especially if you want flawless results. While you may think going the DIY route will save you money, it will be more costly when you have to call in a professional to fix your mistakes! L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc outlines what is involved in professional drywall installation.

Is it Worth it to Rent a Drywall Lift?

You should use a lift for ceiling work. You can rent one from a big box store and will be well worth the price you pay to save added strain to your back. After you get the lift home you can crank it up and down a few times to make sure it’s working properly. You will put one end of the sheetrock on the support hook with the finished side down. Lifts can also be helpful for the walls too. After you load the lift all you need to do is put it up against the wall.

Drywall Must Be Cut Around Outlets & Light Switches

When you make cutouts for light switches or lights its best to do them once the drywall is in place. This will save you the hassle of having to take it down to make any other cuts should the first ones not work. You can use a cutout tool with a drywall bit making sure all wires are pushed into the wall as far as possible. Make the proper measurements after you have put the screws in just enough to hold the drywall in place. You can punch the drywall through and ease it around the cutout and drive the screws all the way in once you have taken care of the cutouts.

Drywall Panel Rollers & Lifters

Panel rollers can help make big jobs small. This is another helpful piece of equipment to have around as it makes carrying up to two sheets of drywall at a time easier. One hand controls the roller and the other will balance the sheet to maneuver it through the house and will make it easier to move over thresholds as well. You can also help yourself by using a panel lifter to help you get through tight spots with ease. You can place the lifter under a sheet of drywall at the center point and lift with one hand to balance the sheet and the other arm fully extended.

Where Do You Start when Hanging Drywall?

To make sure you aren’t constantly taking drywall down to shave an edge to get a good fit, you can subtract a ¼ inch from your measurements to make up for rough cuts and wavy walls-you can fill in any gaps with a joint compound afterwards. When you’re working with lower pieces you can lever them up snug against the upper sheet with a block of wood and a pry bar to avoid straining yourself to hold them up. After all the drywall is up you can check for any protruding screws and carefully drive them in slightly below the surface of the drywall. If you find any screws that were driven in too deep you can add a second screw next to them if they have ripped the paper

Drywall Installation, Repair & More in Amagansett, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Hampton Bays, Montauk, North Haven, North Sea, Noyack, Quogue, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Sagaponack, Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, Springs, Wainscott, Water Mill, Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, New York

If you want professional results, you must hire a professional to do the work. Professionals have the best tools, learned knowledge and experience to provide the best finish to the project. Call L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc. for all your drywall and painting needs today!