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In Episode 4 of “Ask Danny,” I’m speaking with my longtime good friend and drywall skilled Mark Rutherford — “The Drywall Guru.”
About Mark Rutherford
Mark Rutherford has labored with drywall on new building and reworking initiatives for 40 years.
I first met Mark in 2007 whereas engaged on a recreation room addition for an episode of Immediately’s Home-owner TV.
He at present lives in southwest Pennsylvania.
Drywall Nail Pops
Why does a nail pop occur, and what’s one of the best ways to appropriate it?
Mark: Nail pops occur when a nail or screw comes free underneath drywall and creates a bulge or “pop” within the wall.
They often occur with new building inside the first yr. That’s as a result of every part is drying out and settling — the home is de facto “discovering itself.” I at all times say it’s form of like a residing particular person.
Nail pops are widespread round stairways as a result of the frequent stepping motion loosens up the nails.
To restore a nail pop, first faucet it with a hammer. If it feels spongy, which means the installer missed the stud. Pull it out, and drive a drywall screw into the stud or joist close to the opening, with the pinnacle of the screw slightly below the floor.
For those who can’t extract the free nail, faucet in one other drywall nail proper beside it so the pinnacle of that nail catches the prevailing nail. This retains the nail from popping again out once more.
If a screw is inflicting the pop, use a screwdriver to drive it in deep so it’s flush with the wall’s floor.
As soon as the nail or screw is beneath the drywall floor, use the again of a drywall knife to flush the drywall paper with the floor, after which cowl it with a coat of drywall mud.
Let the mud dry for twenty-four hours, then apply one other coat. After the second coat dries, sand it and use a store vac as you’re employed to suck up any mud.
Tip: Preserve your nail pop restore space as small as attainable — the much less mud you utilize, the much less sanding you’ll must do.
Drywall Puckering
How do you repair drywall puckering?
Mark: Water injury is the commonest reason for drywall pucker, however improper set up can even trigger it. In some circumstances, the installer didn’t go away sufficient mud left behind or didn’t use any in that spot.
For main drywall puckering, take away the tape to patch and restore. Lay down mesh tape and apply a recent coat of drywall mud.
For slight puckering, use the nook of a drywall knife to elevate the free tape and apply a skinny layer of all-purpose mud underneath the tape. Clean the tape out and put a light-weight coat of drywall mud over the sting of the tape.
For popcorn ceilings, use the identical method, however be additional cautious to not injury the feel.
If it’s a big crack or older ceiling, the popcorn ceiling texture will come off. In that case, you’ll want to use a coat of sprayed acoustic texture.
You should purchase this materials in a can, however it may be difficult to use. Observe the instructions and apply on a chunk of cardboard first.
For those who can’t match the feel, name an expert.
Controlling Mud
What are some tricks to reduce mud when sanding drywall?
Mark: To reduce the mess whereas sanding drywall, I mainly create an oxygen tent.
Utilizing 2-inch huge masking tape, I encase the world with plastic. I begin taping on the ceiling, then convey it down the wall and to the ground. Every little thing is related.
Then, I create a door beneath to crawl into. As soon as I’m completed sanding, I let the mud settle, mud myself off and crawl out the door.
All the time flip off your HVAC system when sanding drywall. When the vents come on, the plastic and dirt will blow round, and the mud will work its approach into your system.
Final however not least, at all times put on masks when you’re sanding.
A Drywall Catastrophe
Some jobs you don’t need to assume twice about turning down.
One time, a builder approached Mark at a job web site and requested him to take a look at one other home within the subdivision.
No massive deal, proper? Nicely, improper. The entire home was hung with items of scrap drywall. Seems, the householders had been amassing the drywall from the dumpsters within the subdivision to construct the house. It didn’t matter if the drywall was a nook piece or angled, and even moist and broken.
“Once I walked into that home, it seemed like a 2,000-piece jigsaw puzzle,” Mark mentioned.
The largest piece of drywall in the home was in all probability about 2×4 ft, and in some spots, there have been gaps as massive as an inch huge in locations.
“That was a giant no from me,” Mark mentioned.
Mark’s Drywall Suggestions
- For those who’re working close to cupboards or baseboards, put tape/plastic down to guard these areas.
- Be sure to’re utilizing the proper drywall mud. Go together with a inexperienced lid or black lid bucket. Use an all-purpose mud and browse the bucket. One sort of mud could also be good for coating however not for taping.
- Be affected person and work in phases. Let the mud dry then add extra coats.
- For those who’re interested by reworking your own home, strive hanging the drywall your self. You don’t know what you’ll be able to’t do till you strive.
Additional Studying
Ask a Query! (Podcast)
Ask a query and we might reply it on the “Immediately’s Home-owner Podcast!” We additionally could apply it to our nationally syndicated radio broadcast or on todayshomeowner.com.
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