Drywall

Types of Drywall

You never use the same glove for all workplace applications, and you never use the same drywall sheets to build interior walls. The sheetrock a contractor uses dependson its location and application within a building.

Here is a breakdown of different types of drywall that may be used:

Regular / Standard -This drywall is the most common and economical type produced for residential construction.

Green -In areas more likely to experience higher moisture or humidity levels, such as bathrooms or kitchens, this more moisture-resistant drywall is used.

Blue -This drywall offers exceptional absorption and is used for veneer plastering.

Paperless -Protected with fiberglass as an alternative to paper, this drywall is more formidable than standard drywall.

Purple -This drywall offers excellent moisture, mildew, and mold resistance.

Type X -With high fire resistance due to its multi-layer construction, this type of drywall helps prevent a fire from spreading.

Soundproof -This laminated drywall helps dampen the sound and is used in noisy areas.

DIY: Drywall Repair

Life happens. A wrong turn while moving a heavy bookcase or a small leak from a pipe in the wall can leave you with a section of drywall that needs repair. How do you repair drywall? Maybe the better question should be, are you ready to do it yourself? It's a frequently asked question for a lot of people not directly linked to the construction industry.

While not necessarily trick, drywall repair can be time-consuming, and, for most, it is not a task they are willing to learn, which is why repairing walls is a big part of the drywall contractor's world. However, for some DIY-ers, it is a worthwhile skill to learn. Below are some of the skills you'll need to know and some resources to help you carry out multiple drywall-related tasks, with links to helpful educational info:

How to Mud Drywall -When repairing or replacing drywall, “mud” is used to hide the seams between the different pieces. To achieve a flat surface, you’ll need to apply the mud smoothly inthis step . Here is agood video to learn more about this critical step of drywall taping.

How to Tape Drywall -Repairing corners and fixing cracked taped seams occurs every day within the drywalling profession. With over 1 million views, you'll want to check outthis video to learn more about this critical step of drywall taping.

How to Patch Drywall -Fixing holes, including nail holes, is a big part of what drywall contractors do every day. If you want to learn how to patch drywall, Lowe's provides an excellentmulti-step process and a video.

How to Texture Drywall -Sometimes, larger repairs require the new drywall to be retextured to match the existing wall or ceiling texture. Texturing drywall, sheetrock, and plaster are typical activities for the drywall professional. You can check out thisvideo to learn some excellent tips and hacks to help you get professional-looking results.

How to Hang Drywall -Big fixes or new construction may mean you need to hang an entire sheet of new drywall as opposed to just completing a small patch. You're not going to want to mess this step up. To help ensure success, you'll need the proper drywall hanging tools, and you'll need to learn the art of hanging drywall vertically. Here is anexcellent video to get you up to speed on this craftsman's skill.

Drywall Installation

How to Finish Drywall -Just because the drywall is installed doesn’t mean the job is done. Get ready to sand, finish joints, and finish corners just like the pros. It's not easy, but it can be done. Thisvideo is well-made and will walk you through the steps to finishing your drywall!

AWCI Association

The Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI )represents 2,400 companies and organizations directly or indirectly tied to this construction sub-industry. From suppliers to manufacturers, the organization provides services that help companies operate successfully. Here are some of their top online resources:

Numerous other associations assist companies in the industry. Here are some other associations and organizations:

All drywall associations have one thing in common: keeping drywallers and tapers armed with the most relevant, up-to-date information possible to help them best perform their job. Many employees in this industry look to associations for answers.

Typesof Drywall and Ceiling Contractors

The invention of drywall eliminated some of the artistry required in plastering walls. Drywall easily attaches to wood, simplifying the overall installation process. Here is a look at the various types of drywall contractors as identified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Drywall Installers

Often referred to as drywallers, they cut and hang wallboard.

Ceiling Installers

Hang and mount material to ceilings.

Tapers

Prepare walls for paint or wallpaper.

Of the three trades listed above, the bulk of them finds employment installing walls. Let's break it down by the actual employment numbers.

Employment and Occupations

http: The drywalling trade is physically demanding, as workers are always reaching, lifting, and bending. However, it is a much-needed trade due to new building construction and the demand for repair and renovation of existing structures. Growth will be ongoing as older tradesmen leave the industry.

According to the BLS, there were 125,100 drywall and ceiling workers with employment in 2019. Here is a breakdown of where drywall installers are employed:

There were 21,800 tapers employed in 2019. Here is where they are employed:

Within the construction industry, the BLS shows there are 100,000 drywall contractors finding employment. That means 80% of all drywall workers find jobs directly in the construction industry.

Activities

http:As with all the trades within construction, there is never just one task workers perform. Installing drywall sheets may be simpler than plastering walls, but it still requires multiple work activities to get the walls up.

Here are some of the various activities performed by drywall contractors:

A.

• Applying adhesives, sealants, and mortar
• Applying simple or ornamental plaster

C.

• Cleaning and prepping areas
  
• Cutting wood, metal, tile, and drywall
• Cutting openings

D.

• Drilling holes
  

F.

• Fastening drywall to wooden structures
• Fastening panels with glue and screws
• Filling screw holes with compound
• Finishing walls

H.

• Hanging panels

I.

• Installing trim, panels, and ceiling tiles
  
• Installing insulation, including acoustical
• Installing lath
• Installing metal, wood, and trim

M.

• Measuring materials and panels
• Mixing substances

P.

• Patching rough drywall spots
  
• Preparing wall surfaces

R.

• Removing excess material
  
• Removing old walls and materials

S.

• Sanding joints
• Sealing joints
• Smoothing surfaces and holes for a pristine finish

T.

• Taping butt joints, flat joints, and inside corners

According to O*NET OnLine, 86% ofsurveyed drywallers said they perform these activities while standing. They often use their hands to feel objects and operate tools. This is important to note as it impacts the type of PPE drywallers need.

Drywall Tools

Drywallers know the ins and outs of their favorite hardware store. Here is a look at some of the most common drywall tools used in drywall installation. We highlight these tools because many injuries workers suffer are caused by the tools they use.

Here is a look at some of the most common drywall tools:

Safety

Keeping a watchful eye on the work environment is especially crucial for drywall and ceiling contractors. Accidents and injuries are common across the construction industry, especially among this group of professional contractors. The industry ranks #3 out of 21 total construction sub-industries for incidents. For every 100 people, there is an injury experienced by 3.9 workers. Here are some other stats the BLS provides that drywaller contractors should consider:

As you can see, there are some definite concerns for drywallers when performing work activities like the ones mentioned above. Due to the nature of construction work, PPE is a crucial part of keeping workers safe. However, before you begin selecting PPE, you must first know what hazards exist. Here are some completed job hazard analysis PDFs, which will help aid you in understanding what PPE is needed while installing drywall:

With all the drywalling safety information and hazard information we've equipped you with, you're now ready to start considering PPE options available to drywallers. So let's dig a little deeper into personal protective equipment.

PPE

Due to the number of hand injuries experienced by workers in this industry, especially cut wounds, wearing appropriate work gloves is essential. Here is a broad list of various personal protective equipment (PPE) MCR Safety supplies to help drywall and ceiling contractors stay protected:

• Face shields

 

• Goggles

 

• Hi-vis clothing

 

• Steel toe boots

 

• Safety glasses

 

• Work gloves – cut, chemical, impact.

Fiberglass Insulation

When polled by the U.S. Department of Labor, 62% of drywall workers identified PPE as a part of their daily work uniform. As we highlighted above, these workers rank in the top tier of construction injuries, which means the number of workers acknowledging the need to wear PPE should be increasing.

As a general rule, work gloves are an absolute mustwhen handling fiberglass batts, sprayed-on finishes, rough-textured gypsum board panels, or sanding surfaces. Gloves are only the beginning, though, as many other hazards may be present. Some of those and the PPE that can protect against them are covered below.

We've highlighted a lot of drywalling information and thrown a bunch of industry stats at you. This page's remaining part showcases some of the most common drywalling hazards and different PPE options drywall and ceiling contractors should consider wearing while performing their work.

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