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

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

About Mark Rutherford

Mark Rutherford has worked with drywall on new design and remodeling assignments for 40 years. 

I first achieved Mark in 2007 whilst doing work on a video game room addition for an episode of Today’s Property owner Television. 

He at this time life in southwest Pennsylvania. 

Drywall Nail Pops

Why does a nail pop come about, and what is the finest way to right it?

Mark: Nail pops happen when a nail or screw comes free less than drywall and generates a bulge or “pop” in the wall.

They commonly take place with new building within the very first calendar year. Which is mainly because almost everything is drying out and settling — the home is actually “finding itself.” I normally say it is sort of like a living human being. 

Nail pops are prevalent about stairways since the frequent stepping motion loosens up the nails.

To mend a nail pop, first faucet it with a hammer. If it feels spongy, that signifies the installer skipped the stud. Pull it out, and travel a drywall screw into the stud or joist near the gap, with the head of the screw just down below the floor. 

If you can not extract the loose nail, faucet in a different drywall nail correct beside it so the head of that nail catches the present nail. This retains the nail from popping again out again. 

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

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

Enable the mud dry for 24 hours, then utilize another coat. Following the second coat dries, sand it and use a shop vac as you get the job done to suck up any dust.

Tip: Continue to keep your nail pop mend spot as smaller as doable — the considerably less mud you use, the significantly less sanding you’ll need to have to do.

Drywall Puckering

How do you take care of drywall puckering?

Mark: Drinking water problems is the most widespread induce of drywall pucker, but incorrect installation can also induce it. In some circumstances, the installer didn’t go away enough mud still left driving or did not use any in that place. 

For important drywall puckering, take out the tape to patch and restore. Lay down mesh tape and utilize a refreshing coat of drywall mud.

For slight puckering, use the corner of a drywall knife to raise the loose tape and utilize a slender layer of all-reason mud below the tape. Sleek the tape out and place a mild coat of drywall mud over the edge of the tape. 

For popcorn ceilings, use the identical procedure, but be extra careful to not damage the texture. 

If it is a substantial crack or more mature ceiling, the popcorn ceiling texture will appear off. In that case, you are going to need to have to apply a coat of sprayed acoustic texture. 

You can buy this material in a can, but it can be difficult to use. Adhere to the directions and observe on a piece of cardboard very first. 

If you cannot match the texture, call a expert.

Controlling Dust

What are some recommendations to lower dust when sanding drywall?

Mark: To limit the mess when sanding drywall, I essentially make an oxygen tent. 

Working with 2-inch wide masking tape,  I encase the location with plastic. I start out taping at the ceiling, then convey it down the wall and to the floor. Almost everything is connected. 

Then, I build a door beneath to crawl into. The moment I’m finished sanding, I let the dust settle, dust myself off and crawl out the door.

Constantly switch off your HVAC technique when sanding drywall. When the vents arrive on, the plastic and dust will blow all over, and the dust will function its way into your technique. 

Previous but not the very least, usually put on a fantastic mask when you are sanding. 

A Drywall Disaster

Some employment you never have to consider twice about turning down. 

A person time, a builder approached Mark at a position internet site and questioned him to look at one more residence in the subdivision.

No big deal, suitable? Perfectly, wrong. The complete household was hung with parts of scrap drywall. Turns out, the householders had been collecting the drywall from the dumpsters in the subdivision to develop the residence. It did not matter if the drywall was a corner piece or angled, or even damp and weakened. 

“When I walked into that residence, it seemed like a 2,000-piece jigsaw puzzle,” Mark stated. 

The most important piece of drywall in the property was most likely about 2×4 ft, and in some spots, there were being gaps as large as an inch wide in sites. 

“That was a big no from me,” Mark explained.

Mark’s Drywall Ideas

• If you’re functioning near cupboards or baseboards, place tape/plastic down to guard people parts.
• Make sure you are applying the correct drywall mud. Go with a eco-friendly lid or black lid bucket. Use an all-purpose mud and browse the bucket. One kind of mud may be superior for coating but not for taping.
• Be patient and function in stages. Permit the mud dry then increase extra coats.
• If you are contemplating about transforming your house, check out hanging the drywall oneself. You really do not know what you can’t do till you consider.

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