Ask Danny | Ep. 4: ‘The Drywall Guru’ Offers Expert Advice

In Episode 4 of “Ask Danny,” I’m conversing with my longtime friend and drywall specialist Mark Rutherford — “The Drywall Expert.” 

About Mark Rutherford

Mark Rutherford has labored with drywall on new construction and transforming initiatives for 40 several years. 

I initially achieved Mark in 2007 while performing on a game home addition for an episode of Today’s Home owner Tv set. 

He currently life in southwest Pennsylvania. 

Drywall Nail Pops

Why does a nail pop materialize, and what is the greatest way to accurate it?

Mark: Nail pops occur when a nail or screw arrives unfastened under drywall and generates a bulge or “pop” in the wall.

They generally happen with new construction within the very first year. That is for the reason that everything is drying out and settling — the home is truly “finding itself.” I normally say it’s variety of like a dwelling human being. 

Nail pops are common around stairways since the recurrent stepping motion loosens up the nails.

To restore a nail pop, 1st tap it with a hammer. If it feels spongy, that implies the installer missed the stud. Pull it out, and travel a drywall screw into the stud or joist close to the gap, with the head of the screw just beneath the surface. 

If you just can’t extract the loose nail, faucet in an additional drywall nail right beside it so the head of that nail catches the current nail. This retains the nail from popping back again out again. 

If a screw is triggering the pop, use a screwdriver to travel it in deep so it is flush with the wall’s surface area. 

When the nail or screw is beneath the drywall surface, use the back of a drywall knife to flush the drywall paper with the floor, and then protect it with a coat of drywall mud. 

Permit the mud dry for 24 several hours, then implement a different coat. Just after the 2nd coat dries, sand it and use a shop vac as you function to suck up any dust.

Tip: Keep your nail pop repair service area as tiny as possible — the much less mud you use, the a lot less sanding you’ll want to do.

Drywall Puckering

How do you repair drywall puckering?

Mark: Water destruction is the most typical cause of drywall pucker, but poor installation can also result in it. In some instances, the installer didn’t depart plenty of mud still left behind or didn’t use any in that place. 

For key drywall puckering, remove the tape to patch and maintenance. Lay down mesh tape and utilize a fresh coat of drywall mud.

For slight puckering, use the corner of a drywall knife to raise the free tape and implement a slender layer of all-purpose mud beneath the tape. Easy the tape out and place a light coat of drywall mud around the edge of the tape. 

For popcorn ceilings, use the same technique, but be more cautious to not destruction the texture. 

If it’s a important crack or older ceiling, the popcorn ceiling texture will arrive off. In that scenario, you’ll want to use a coat of sprayed acoustic texture. 

You can acquire this material in a can, but it can be difficult to apply. Comply with the instructions and apply on a piece of cardboard to start with. 

If you cannot match the texture, call a specialist.

Controlling Dust

What are some guidelines to minimize dust when sanding drywall?

Mark: To lower the mess even though sanding drywall, I basically produce an oxygen tent. 

Using 2-inch extensive masking tape,  I encase the space with plastic. I get started taping at the ceiling, then provide it down the wall and to the flooring. Every little thing is connected. 

Then, I generate a door underneath to crawl into. The moment I’m concluded sanding, I allow the dust settle, dust myself off and crawl out the door.

Constantly change off your HVAC method when sanding drywall. When the vents come on, the plastic and dust will blow all over, and the dust will perform its way into your technique. 

Final but not least, generally use a excellent mask although you are sanding. 

A Drywall Disaster

Some work you really do not have to imagine 2 times about turning down. 

A single time, a builder approached Mark at a career site and asked him to glance at an additional dwelling in the subdivision.

No massive deal, ideal? Well, improper. The total residence was hung with pieces of scrap drywall. Turns out, the property owners had been gathering the drywall from the dumpsters in the subdivision to make the home. It did not make any difference if the drywall was a corner piece or angled, or even wet and broken. 

“When I walked into that property, it looked like a 2,000-piece jigsaw puzzle,” Mark said. 

The most important piece of drywall in the household was in all probability about 2×4 toes, and in some spots, there were gaps as major as an inch extensive in locations. 

“That was a massive no from me,” Mark reported.

Mark’s Drywall Guidelines

• If you’re functioning around cabinets or baseboards, set tape/plastic down to defend people places.
• Make confident you’re utilizing the suitable drywall mud. Go with a environmentally friendly lid or black lid bucket. Use an all-function mud and go through the bucket. One particular form of mud may possibly be great for coating but not for taping.
• Be client and get the job done in levels. Enable the mud dry then increase added coats.
• If you are imagining about transforming your property, try out hanging the drywall yourself. You don’t know what you just cannot do until you check out.

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