10
votes
Accepted
What is the best way to add a vent over this door?
Common HVAC grilles are routinely installed directly to framing (or even drywall, with hollow wall anchors). Cold air returns are traditionally just framing voids. This situation is really no ...
- 129k
6
votes
Accepted
If I cut out a square of drywall for access, should I tape the seams when I put it back?
Unless this is in the back of a closet, use tape. Otherwise, you’ll get cracks and have to either live with them or fix it again.
Personally, I like mesh tape. For the tape coat, use setting compound (...
- 20.3k
5
votes
Is this surface too rough to plaster over?
No, it's not too rough. I've seen pros deal with far worse effectively. The key is to taper out far enough. You won't resolve this situation with an 8" knife, or even a 12". You want a 16&...
- 129k
5
votes
Where can I find/how can I make metal screws with black heads?
There are black or dark-bronze screws available. If you can't find them locally check woodworking suppliers, or fastener specialists like McFeely.
There are also compounds sold for darkening/...
- 27.5k
3
votes
Will folded drywall sheets create bubbles?
Just cut them and tape the joints. Doing a preliminary inspection of a rental unit a couple days ago, I saw three bad seams that don't warrant fixing because there's only one day to turn around the ...
- 5,284
3
votes
Best way to hang 6 foot drywall sheets
To your questions...
Butt joints are almost always centered over studs (or ceiling joists). That's normal, and proper taping* technique (plenty of taper width, on the order of 16" out each way ...
- 129k
3
votes
Do I need to add blocking between my studs for drywall seams with 24" centers?
Tape and mud firm up the edges. No need for blocking.
Technically, there's an ASTM for drywall installation. ASTM C840. For single ply installations:
8.2 In single-ply installation, all ends and ...
- 5,284
3
votes
Do I need to add blocking between my studs for drywall seams with 24" centers?
You don't need to. As popham said, the tape joint itself locks things together adequately.
However, it would be very easy to float backing (as opposed to installing blocking). Small scraps of 1/2"...
- 129k
3
votes
Accepted
What’s this white stuff coming from new drywall and surrounding areas?
It is impossible to tell what exactly that powder is.
Efflorescence would be accompanied with the presence of moisture. You have not indicated any moisture was found.
Drywall work creates fine dust ...
- 25.1k
3
votes
Accepted
When applying tape/mud, how do I work around outlet openings near the seam?
Whenever I am doing mudwork such as you are, First I need the box to be flsh or recessed a little below the sheetrock. Code allows 1/4" but it doesn't need to be that much. The mud over the joint ...
- 34.3k
2
votes
Is this surface too rough to plaster over?
Given that one can plaster over a brick wall, hardly too rough.
But I'd say it's not very convincing as to soundness.
That hypothetical brick wall is a good solid substrate. The pictures here look ...
- 202k
2
votes
Mud type for sticking paper tape
It is always best to fill any gaps first before applying the tape. This helps the paper to lay flat. Filling the gaps is best completed with hot mud as it will shrink less than regular mud.
Now, it ...
- 5,429
2
votes
Drywall Repair by the baseboard
How?
Well, there a a few ways to do the repair.
The best way :
1- Remove the baseboard.
2- Cut out the damaged section. Replace with new drywall, backed with deadwood where needed.
3- Tape, mud, ...
- 25.1k
2
votes
Where can I find/how can I make metal screws with black heads?
I've done it with wood screws, multiple times, and it has held up fine. I screwed them into an old piece of wood to hold them and then sprayed them with 2-3 thin coats. No paint came off when using ...
- 1,220
2
votes
Closing a gap in a thick wall with drywall
It's not clear to me what your actual preferences are with respect to insulation and drywall. You mention several scenarios. However, the simple fact is that you can build one wall to your liking, ...
- 129k
2
votes
What is the best way to add a vent over this door?
Don't. Buy a same-size and same handedness door with the vent built in. Remount the hinges and you are done.
- 5,148
2
votes
How should this wall water damage be repaired?
Looks better in the after picture in any case.
Drywall or plaster repair is a many stage process. Often you do 3 coats of mud with sanding in between before you get to priming and painting. Stains ...
- 13.5k
2
votes
If I cut out a square of drywall for access, should I tape the seams when I put it back?
How often are you going to need access? never? by all means tape. Infrequently? maybe not.
My personal preference for access holes is to cover in a way that allows access with nothing more than a ...
- 887
1
vote
Will folded drywall sheets create bubbles?
The outcome depends partly on how you handle the sheets. If you make clean, straight snaps there will be virtually no delamination of the paper face from the gypsum core. If there's curvature in the ...
- 129k
1
vote
Drywall hanging orientation in residential home (walls and ceiling)
There's no need to provide an extra blocking for the edge joints of drywall on 24" spacing. When the joints are properly taped with joint compound the sheets act as one. Which is to say, might as ...
- 202k
1
vote
Drywall question... Difficult wall / tub transition
To repair, the drywall and baseboard will have to be removed and any rotted material removed. Cut the drywall back about 4 or 5 inches. Any other details will have to be determined after the wall is ...
- 25.1k
1
vote
Why is my wall thicker in one area and what can I do about it?
My guess is that the house didn't originally have those openings, and the thickness is for a header to support the structure above those openings. Likely your other wall sections are based on 2x4 ...
- 3,773
1
vote
Accepted
Which dowel to use for drywall in front of brick wall with air inbetween?
Dowels won't really work here. Best thing to do since this doesn't look to be really heavy (i.e. 50kgs plus) is to fill the gap with something which sets.
First set out and mark your placements, make ...
- 3,274
1
vote
Is Exposed Drywall After a Ceiling Leak an Asbestos Concern?
Could it be shedding asbestos night after night?
Yes, it could but since, as you said, it's no longer being disturbed, it's highly unlikely. Also, as noted in the comments, a one-time (or short-term) ...
- 43.1k
1
vote
Stopping draught between bottom of plasterboard and floor UK
I have/had a similar problem. Loft insulation helped for a while but didn't stop the draught completely.
I managed to contrive a long enough extension tube for my expanding foam gun to reach the wall ...
- 1,044
1
vote
Do I need to add blocking between my studs for drywall seams with 24" centers?
For 1/2" drywall, the maximum distance between studs is 16". For 24" o.c. studs, 5/8" drywall is required. This will fix the movement you are experiencing.
- 4,155
1
vote
Basement finish: how to fit drywall to foundation over stairs
I have done what kreemoweet suggests, but I used a few concrete screws (Tapcons) to hold the sheets while the adhesive set and deal with any problem areas. Use tape-on (paper-faced) corner bead where ...
- 129k
1
vote
Basement finish: how to fit drywall to foundation over stairs
Glue the drywall to the concrete wall. You could use 1/4" thick board. If you must have drywall there.
- 2,538
1
vote
What’s this white stuff coming from new drywall and surrounding areas?
Plaster dust. If it bothers you, give the area a quick swipe with a slightly damp rag. But realistically, if you're going to paying, the paint will absorb the dust and solve this for you.
- 27.5k
1
vote
Accepted
How to Achieve a Smooth Transition on a Wall with Mesh-Reinforced Gypsum?
Fairly normal if it's fiberglass (as in mesh tape for drywall) - would be a bit odd if it's metal mesh, but it appears to be falling apart the way fiberglass tape does.
Anyway, you don't tear it down, ...
- 202k
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