Exactly What You Will Need for a Drywall Project
Before you begin your drywall project, it’s important to ensure that you have all the necessary tools and supplies. Having the right tools ensures that the process of hanging drywall is seamless and saves you time. You shouldn’t have to interrupt the installation process for lack of the right tools. Below are some of the typical drywall tools that you will need:
Utility Knives
This is one of the most important tools for your drywall project. With its exchangeable blade, a utility knife will work much faster and ensure you have a smooth finish. That’s why you can’t just pick a kitchen knife and expect it to serve the purpose of a utility knife. You should acquire several blades.
A Drywall Knife
You should get a specially designed drywall knife to help you spread the mud across the seams. A drywall knife is flat, usually made from plastic or metal. There are different kinds of knives that you can use in drywall installation. Every type has a unique purpose that you should find out before you purchase. You can acquire several drywall knives ranging between 6 and 12 inches. You will need a corner knife to help you access the hard-to-reach corners on your walls.
Drywall Square
For precision, you will need a drywall square. You can use this tool for measuring and making straight cuts on the drywall.
Tape Measure
You can use any type of tape measure for your drywall project. The best tape measure should be at least 12 feet long, with a wide blade. When buying a tape measure, you should choose one that is designed for construction projects.
Sanding Blocks
For the perfect finish, proper sanding is necessary. Sanding blocks have varying grits; you should choose one that is most suitable for your project. The kind of finish that you intend to achieve will determine the kind of grit that you choose. Go for a sanding block that is designed for the corners. If you want to work on above-ground locations like the ceiling, you should acquire a pole sander. A pole sander will make your work much easier.
Mud Pan
You can use a bucket to hold the drywall mud. However, a mud pan will make it much easier to hold the drywall mud. A mud pan allows you to move around as you carry out the mudding and taping process. Since a mud pan allows you to keep the mud in one place, you can keep your site orderly and clean.
You should also acquire protective tools like dust masks to prevent you from inhaling fine dust during the drywall process.
Mould and How to Stop Them with Mould Resistant Drywall
Mould infestation is one of the biggest concerns for most building owners. Mould damages structures, defaces the building and could cause numerous health issues, especially for people suffering from allergies. Mould produce toxins that can trigger allergic reactions. It can be challenging to prevent mould growth while working with regular drywall. The regular drywall contains some moisture and doesn’t need to get too wet for the mould to grow. The mould will destroy the outside paper and the inner gypsum forcing you to replace the drywall. Addressing a mould issue is often challenging, but it is much easier to prevent mould growth with mould-resistant drywall.
How to Make Mould Resistant Drywall
There are various ways of making mould-resistant drywall. A common option is the laminated mould-resistant drywall. With this drywall, the manufacturers maintain the gypsum core but use fibreglass matting on the front and the back. The fibreglass matting helps to protect the gypsum by repelling water. Usually, the gypsum used is more water-resistant than that used in the regular drywall.
The other way of making mould-resistant drywall is through the uniform composition method. With this method, manufacturers use a water-resistant material throughout and forego the matting process. Mould-resistant drywalls prevent mould growth by repelling moisture and discouraging mould growth.
Types of Mould Resistant Drywall
The common mould resistant drywalls that you can use are:
Green board – this drywall contains a green cover that is treated with a petroleum-based product, making it resistant to moisture.
Blue board – just like the green board, the blue board contains a cover. Upon binding with a coat of plaster finish, the cover creates moisture and mould-resistant final result.
The cement board is made by reinforcing cement with fibre to make a base for ceramic tiles. It’s ideal in areas with high moisture levels.
Foil back – a foil back contains a moisture barrier that prevents moisture transfer from inside to the ceiling spaces and exterior walls.
Paperless drywall – this drywall is the most resistant to moisture and mould. It contains gypsum placed between fibre glasses. It’s ideal for areas with high humidity but not recommended for areas with direct exposure to water.
You’ll get the benefits of mould-resistant drywalls, especially if you live in damp environments like utility rooms, garages, kitchens, and basement areas. Mould-resistant drywalls will help you prevent the formation and the spread of mould. It prevents moisture transfer between rooms, making rooms energy-efficient. Despite being more expensive than the regular drywall, the mould-resistant drywall is worth the investment. You should seek expert counsel to help you determine the ideal mould-resistant drywall for your project.
Replacing Mould Damaged Drywall
There are several reasons why mould might appear on your drywall. Mould may form on the walls if the vapour barrier wasn’t well installed or a leak has occurred. Mould grows there is mild or extensive moisture exposure. Mould might cause extensive damage when it attaches to the paper facing of your drywall. You should have a mould removal expert address the mould issues, given that mould could cause severe health issues. You shouldn’t just focus on the mould. You should identify and address the underlying cause of mould growth.
Removing Mould from a Drywall
You might be wondering whether you can clean or completely remove mould from drywall. It’s impossible to entirely remove mould from drywall. You have to remove and replace the drywall surface. You should take the right steps to prevent further damage immediately you notice mould on your drywall. You can replace the mould-damaged panels personally if you understand the procedure. You don’t need to replace the entire drywall; you just have to work on the parts affected by the mould.
Replacing the Mould Damaged Drywall
Why is it recommended to replace the mouldy drywall? It can be challenging to identify and replace just the portion of drywall that has been affected by mould. If you fail to remove the panels affected by mould properly, you might end up disturbing the mould spores and causing them to spread throughout the drywall. If you catch the mould growth early, you can replace only the panels damaged by the mould. You need to replace the drywall if mould has already penetrated the surface of the drywall.
Cleaning Mould Off the Drywall
Cleaning mould off your drywall will only work if the mould hasn’t yet penetrated through the surface of the drywall. In this case, you only need to use soap and water to clean the mould. Allow the drywall to dry completely after cleaning it. The mould will regrow if you don’t allow ample drywall time to dry. Avoid cleaning the drywall with bleach products that might damage it.
Preventing Mould Regrowth
In extremely moisture-prone areas, you shouldn’t use drywall as an underlayment. You should also ensure that you identify all sources of leaks and seal them. Ensure that you determine the exact factor causing the mould growth. Upon identifying the leak, contact a professional repair expert to seal the leak. Failure to address the underlying causes of mould will lead to mould growth on the new drywall you install.
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