Wallboard is sealed using a tray, knife and compound
USG gypsum wallboard--also known as drywall--comes in 4-by-8-foot sheets or larger. Half-inch-width wallboard is applied to walls with wallboard nails, and 5/8-inch wallboard is applied to ceilings using wallboard screws. The wallboard is attached to wall studs or ceiling joists, and large sections are cut to size using a tradesman's knife. Smaller areas like receptacle or switch boxes are cut out using small wallboard saws. Once installed, the wallboard joints are sealed with mesh tape, corner beading and then smeared with compound.
Instructions
1. Place the first piece of wallboard in one corner of the ceiling using 1-5/8-inch wallboard screws. Attach the screws to the joists, one screw every 8 inches.
2. Measure and cut the next section of ceiling wallboard: After marking the wallboard, use a chalk line to create the line that needs to be cut. Run a tradesman's knife along the chalk line. Bend the wallboard on the other side to the chalk line. This will break the wallboard along the chalk line. Now run the knife along the crease on the inside of the break, and the wallboard will be separated. Lift the wallboard into position on the ceiling, and screw it into place. Complete the rest of the ceiling in the same way, and then follow the same process to install the wallboard on the walls, but use 1-5/8-inch wallboard nails instead of screws.
3. Apply mesh tape--sticky side to the wall--along all wallboard joints. Cut the tape when necessary using scissors. Make sure the joint runs down the center of the strip of mesh tape. For exterior corners (such as corners of built-in wardrobes), nail strips of corner beading over the joint.
4. Pour some wallboard compound into a wallboard tray. Scoop out some compound onto one side of a 6-inch wallboard knife, and smear it over all mesh tape/ areas, feathering it out. That is, smear the compound past the edge of the tape/beading onto the wall, decreasing the thickness of the compound as you go. Also cover all screw/nail heads with compound. Wait for the compound to dry completely--usually 24 hours or more.
5. Sand all compound areas with medium sandpaper to remove all ridges or bumps. Wear a dust mask. If any mesh tape or nail/screw heads can be seen, apply a second coat of compound, wait for it to dry and sand again.
Tags: , mesh tape, 8-inch wallboard, corner beading, along chalk, along chalk line, break wallboard