c/drywall-installers

Finished a 2000 square foot ceiling job solo in four days

I've been doing this for a while, but I honestly didn't think I could hang and tape that much overhead by myself that fast. My shoulders are killing me, but the check cleared. Anyone else ever surprise themselves with a solo speed run like that?

Had to choose between a 10-inch or 12-inch knife for a big ceiling job last week

Went with the 12-inch and it cut my taping passes down by almost a third, which was huge over 1,200 square feet. Anyone have a go-to size for ceilings or does it just depend on the room?

Can we talk about the idea that you need to pre-fill every screw dimple?

I read a study from a trade school in Oregon that found filling screw heads after the first coat can actually save time and reduce sanding. They tested it on a 12x12 foot ceiling and the finish was just as smooth. Has anyone tried this method on a real job?

The week I had to tape a 20 foot cathedral ceiling by myself

Last month in a big old house in Tacoma, the crew lead got sick and I was left alone to finish a master bedroom with a huge sloped ceiling. I had to set up my stilts on a floor that wasn't totally level, and my mud pan kept tipping over. Mixing a full 5 gallon bucket of compound by hand for the first coat nearly killed my shoulder. The worst part was trying to get a smooth finish on the long seams while looking straight up, my neck was sore for days. I almost called it quits when I dropped my 6 inch knife from the top of the stilts and it stuck in the subfloor like a dart. Somehow I got it done, but it took me three full days instead of one. Has anyone else had to solo a job that big and have a better way to handle the mud up high?

Serious question, when did everyone decide to stop using a hawk and trowel for taping?

I was on a job in Tacoma where the lead guy was just slapping mud on with a 6-inch knife straight from the pan. Watching him work, I realized my whole setup with the hawk was just adding an extra step for no real gain in speed or finish. Has anyone else completely ditched the hawk, or is that just a regional thing now?

Finally got a clean finish on a vaulted ceiling with my old pole sander

I was doing a repair on a 12-foot sloped ceiling and decided to try a trick I saw online, wrapping the sanding screen over a foam pad first. It cut my sanding time in half and left zero swirl marks. What's your go-to method for high ceilings?

All that sanding and my drywall still isn't smooth

I followed every guide online, but something's off. Maybe my way is wrong.

Appreciation post: The pizza box drywall patch I'll never forget

He had a hole about the size of a dinner plate. Instead of buying a patch, he used an old pizza box and some joint compound. It looked ridiculous, but it's been holding for months now.

My garage drywall job has these weird bubbles after mudding, what did I do wrong?

I mean, I followed all the steps but now it looks lumpy, idk maybe it's just me but any advice?

I finally saw how a wet sponge beats sandpaper for touch-ups

Yesterday I fixed a small patch and used a damp sponge instead of sanding. It left no dust and smoothed the mud perfectly. Do you prefer sponges for final passes on repairs?

Why does nobody talk about wrist care for drywall sanding?

My wrists hurt a lot after sanding for hours on end. It messes with my sleep and makes the next day tough. What do you guys do to keep your wrists from getting sore?

TIL a simple glove hack for eating clean on the job

Grab some cheap disposable gloves and keep them in your tool bag. When lunch rolls around, put on a fresh pair to handle your food without spreading drywall dust or joint compound. It stops your sandwich from getting gritty and saves you from scrubbing your hands every break. This little change made my midday meals way better during long install days.

Unpopular opinion: My cousin's rough sanding style gets the job done faster

Everyone on site says you need a smooth, even sand, but my cousin just goes at it with a coarse pad. We finish walls in half the time, and the texture hides small flaws. I used to argue with him, but now I see it works for residential jobs. Have you tried a quicker sanding method with family help?

Question about drywall lifts that seem to have a mind of their own

Was setting up for a ceiling job yesterday on a slick floor. The lift kept sliding away every time I turned my back. I had to run after it and use towels to block the wheels. It felt like dealing with a stubborn animal instead of a tool.

My messiest taping job taught me to prep my mud better

I was on a house job last month and I skimped on mixing my mud for corners. It came out watery and dripped all over the place. I had to fix large parts of the wall, costing me a lot of time. Since then, I make sure to mix it thicker and wait a bit before I start taping. My lines now look clean and I get done sooner. It's a simple step but it really helped. I learned that rushing just makes more work later.

Hot take: Everyone wants textured ceilings gone now

I was scraping popcorn off a ceiling last week, my third job this month for the same thing. It used to be a niche request, maybe one in twenty jobs. Now, it feels like every homeowner under forty wants it smooth. I think it's because of those home renovation shows making everything look modern and clean. It's a messy, dusty job, but the pay is good if you know how to do it fast. I've had to invest in better sanders and dust control gear just to keep up. Realizing this trend isn't slowing down has me focusing more on finish work than just hanging board. It's changing what skills are in demand for our trade.

Tbh, my brother-in-law keeps saying drywall is for folks who can't frame. How do you handle it?

A homeowner wanted me to hide some water damage behind new drywall, but I told them the truth about the risks.

They ended up fixing the leak properly and thanked me for my honesty.

Found a better way to cut drywall for outlets that avoids waste.

Am I the only one who sees paint fail from skipped primer?

Just finished a job where the new guys didn't prime the drywall. Paint started peeling in under a month. The foreman brushed it off, said it was fine. Now the client is furious and blaming us. Always check that primer coat, folks.

Patching a hole in the kids' room went better than expected

The mud dried flat and the texture matched just right. Any tricks for getting orange peel to blend in?

My buddy says skipping corner beads is fine for small rooms, but I had a wall crack bad last week lol. Who's right?

Update: My crew's mud mixer broke down mid-job again

We lost half a day waiting for a replacement, which is killing our schedule. Any advice on backup plans for when tools fail?

Corner beads on every outside corner: necessary protection or over-engineering? I've changed my mind after a decade in the trade.

Spent hours on a tricky bulkhead, but the payoff was worth it

The bulkhead in this kitchen remodel had uneven framing, and I was ready to call it quits. Decided to shim it out with cardboard strips before hanging the board. After taping, you couldn't tell it was ever off. Felt good to solve a problem without tearing everything out.