If they’ve never attempted a task like drywall installation, Charleston, SC homeowners may assume it’s a simple process to transform a pile of drywall sheets into a perfectly smooth wall or ceiling surface. But once you get started, you quickly realize that while the steps may be relatively straightforward, it actually takes a surprising amount of skill and experience to actually make it look good in the end. That's why our team is often called to finish a drywall installation after a homeowner gets started and then reaches the mudding and sanding phases and realizes they're way over their head.
Our Charleston Drywall Installation Process
When our team tackles drywall installation, Charleston, SC homeowners can count on us to handle the entire process from start to finish. Here's what to expect from our reputable local pros:
Drywall Installation Preparation
Before our initial work begins, we'll take some time to evaluate your project and let you know about potential challenges we may come across or suggestions on the best course of action for drywall installation. Charleston, SC property owners can leave it to us to gather the necessary materials and equipment to get the job finished. We'll also lay out drop cloths or plastic sheeting to help contain any mess and make tidying up easier.
Drywall Installation Charleston, SC
Charleston drywall installation is more complicated than many property owners suspect because it's not just a simple matter of attaching a sheet of drywall to wall studs. Once panels are hung, they need to be finished to an appropriate level, depending on what your intentions are for the final finishing and drywall finisher you choose. For example, if your wall will be covered in tile there's no need to make the drywall look perfect. But if it's in a highly visible area like a ceiling, additional finishing may be required. The basic steps involved in drywall installation are:
- Hang panels by securing them onto wall studs of house framing
- Cover joints between panels with joint tape
- Plaster over tape, screw heads, corners, and other areas of imperfection with joint compound
- Sand dried compound down to a smooth, level surface
- Applying texture spray if necessary
- In some installations, such as a ceiling in an important room, it may be necessary to apply a skim coat over entire installation
Drywall Installation Cleanup
Drywall installation in Charleston, SC tends to be pretty messy because it involves cutting into panels that are essentially a gypsum core encased in thick paper. Gypsum is a soft, crumbly sulfate mineral, so it turns into dust and gets everywhere when it is sawed. Of course, someone will need to clean up all that mess, and that task shouldn't fall to the homeowner. Our friendly professionals always tidy up after themselves to make sure that you are completely satisfied with the results of our work.
Additional Services
- Painting: You may be planning to install wallpaper or paint yourself, and if that's the case, we'll leave the surface as-is with a level four finish, ready for you to decorate as you see fit. But if you don't want to take care of the painting yourself or you don't have the free time to do it justice, count on your Charleston handyman to take care of painting for you so you can cross that chore off your to-do list quickly and easily.
- Interior Trim Installation: Most homes include interior wall trim, and one room that doesn't have the correct trim installed will stick out like a sore thumb. When it’s time to tackle drywall installation, Charleston, SC professionals on our team follow it up by making sure everything looks just right, and that includes interior trim installation for components such as baseboards, crown molding, chair rails, window frames and sills, door jambs, and more.
Mr. Handyman Is Your Best Choice for Drywall Installation, Charleston, SC
For both residential or commercial drywall repair and drywall installation, Charleston, SC property owners can rely on our team of experienced professionals at Mr. Handyman of Charleston and Summerville. Here are some of the reasons we are highly reputable and trustworthy for your drywall installation in Charleston, SC:
- Our Promise. We pride ourselves on accurate assessments, friendly customer service, and top-quality craftsmanship in everything we do. That's why we guarantee our Neighborly Done Right Promise for every single service we provide. From our initial visit to the final reveal of your installation, we strive to go the extra mile to ensure you are more than happy with our services.
- Easy Scheduling. One of the standout features of our drywall installation in Charleston, SC is our easy scheduling process. With just one simple call, you can schedule a convenient appointment time for your drywall installation. Additionally, their commitment to on-time arrival and getting the job done right the first time sets them apart from other handyman services in the area. Whether you need repair, maintenance, or improvement services, we offer a wide variety of options to meet your needs.
- Experienced Professionals. What truly sets our drywall installation in Charleston, SC apart from our competitors is the experience and expertise of our handyman team. With an average of 10 years of experience in the trades, you can trust that your drywall installation in Charleston, SC will be completed with precision and care. Plus, all of our team members are fully insured for your safety, giving you peace of mind throughout the entire process.
- Cleanup. Another reason to choose us for your drywall installation in Charleston, SC is our commitment to cleanliness. We promise to clean up after the job is done, leaving your property looking pristine and ready to enjoy.
Get in touch with us today by calling us to find out more about our services or schedule a convenient appointment time.
FAQ: Drywall Installation Charleston, SC
What Is Drywall?
Drywall is a material that creates interior walls and ceilings. Drywall is made from gypsum plaster spread onto and paper or fiberglass mats. Due to its affordability, easy installation, and fire resistance, it is the preferred choice for most other building materials. Drywall is available in multiple types of sizes, thicknesses, and textures.
The downside that comes with drywall is its prone to moisture damage or forceful impacts, causing professional repair to become necessary.
What Are the Finishing Levels for Drywall Installation in Charleston, SC?
After sheetrock panels are hung on wall studs, it's necessary to finish them to an appropriate finishing level. The levels are basically a set of industry standards designed to ensure your walls have the best look and texture once your handyman has completed the drywall installation. These standards were created partly because some surfaces don't need every step, depending on what the next steps are following drywall installation. Charleston professionals on our team have the skills to complete all necessary finishing levels.
Here are the finishing levels for drywall installation:
- Level 0: Panels of gypsum board are secured in place and screwed to the wall studs.
- Level 1: The first level is when all angles and joints are covered in drywall tape that has been embedded in drywall mud. Level one finishes are only occasionally used in areas of a house that aren't habitable like a crawl space or attic.
- Level 2: Joint tape is concealed with a coat of compound, along with screw and nail holes, metal corner beads, and other imperfections. If the surface will be covered with tile in an area like a kitchen backsplash, finishing can stop here since the surface will be hidden behind tile.
- Level 3: An additional coat of joint compound is applied to the tape on angles and joints between panels, along with screws and corners. This is an acceptable stopping point if the surface will be covered with a texture application like an acoustic or popcorn ceiling texture.
- Level 4: Most people are used to seeing level four finishes in homes and commercial buildings here in Charleston, SC. Yet another layer of compound is applied to angles, joints, and screw holes. When it's completely dry, it's sanded down to smooth out any uneven patches or bumps and ready for wallpaper or paint.
- Level 5: If necessary, a finishing skim coat is applied to the whole drywall installation to make a flawless surface. The application can be done by spraying or manually with a roller or putty knife.
Is It Possible to Paint Directly On a New Drywall Installation in Charleston, SC?
Technically, yes. Once the surface has a level four finish, you may go ahead and apply paint directly to the wallboard. However, you'll get better results faster if you take the time to apply a coat or two of primer first. It helps the paint adhere to the surface better and increases coverage, so you don't need as many coats of paint to get the color to look totally opaque and smooth.
Does Joint Tape Have to Be Used for Drywall Installation in Charleston, SC?
Basically, yes. Without it, the results would look terrible and not meet basic professional standards for drywall installation. Charleston professionals know that the tape is necessary because the compound shrinks a bit as it dries out. Without joint tape covering the seams and corners, the mud would dry unevenly, leaving the surface noticeably unattractive.
Can You Complete Drywall Installation in Charleston in a Single Day?
No, we can't— but in all fairness, neither can anyone else, and that's because of the joint compound. Before the compound can be sanded down to an even finish, it needs to be completely dried and cured. While a thin compound coating can fully dry in a few hours, there will be places in your drywall installation that have a lot more than a thin coating. In most cases, it will need a full 24 hours to be completely dry so we’re able to move on to the sanding phase.
That being said, you can trust our team of skilled drywall installers to work efficiently and get the job done as quickly as possible while still making sure the results are up to your—and our—standards. When we know a bit more about your particular project like the size of the drywall installation in square foot, we can give you a better estimate of how much time we expect it to take overall.
Is Drywall Installation in Charleston DIY Friendly?
It’s possible to try, but you will likely find yourself wishing you hadn't. This process is a lot more time-consuming and laborious than it seems on the surface. While it may sound simple, it requires a lot of experience and a practiced hand to make it look good.
In all probability, you don't have the equipment you need just sitting around in your garage, so you'll need to factor in the expense of buying or renting the necessary tools. Rather than part of the way through and realizing you're not cut out for drywall work, you can save time, stress, and money by letting your local handyman take care of drywall installation in Charleston from the start.
What Are Some Typical Charleston Drywall Installation Mistakes?
When it comes to drywall installation in Charleston, our handyman has fixed up a few typical mistakes over our years of professional experience. Some common errors that we are called in to correct often include issues such as:
- Excessive Hanging Joints: It's not always possible to get every single seam between panels lined up, so it's over a wall stud, but hanging joints that are not centered over a stud need to be kept to a minimum, or they will weaken the overall drywall installation, and the surface could crack under the strain or even collapse in certain sections.
- Seams Are Too Tight: Panels shouldn't have big gaps between them, but they can't be pressed too tightly together, either. All buildings shift somewhat over time, and there needs to be enough space between the panels to accommodate building movement and the expansion or contraction of wooden framing components. When seams are too tight, that movement forces the panels into each other and can cause cracking.
- Too Much Sanding: It's important to sand dried compound till it's even with the rest of the surface, but if you're not practiced at it, it's quite easy to go a little too far with the sanding and hit the joint tape hiding underneath. Needless to say, at that point, you have no choice but to redo several steps of the installation process.
Do You Offer Drywall Repair Services?
Yes, we do. If you have existing drywall that has minor or extensive damage, we have drywall repair and replacement services. Some of the problems we can address includes:
- Cracked Drywall: Cracks in drywall can be from structural or foundational changes. Our team can find the cause of cracking so you can seek the proper solution, as well as patch up your cracked ceilings and walls.
- Sagging Drywall: Drywall that bulges outwards indicates water damage or high humidity.
- Peeling or Scratched Drywall: Peeling or scratched drywall can occur from water damage or accidental impacts. In some cases, it can also indicate a water leak within your plumbing line.
- Hardware Drywall Damages: If you've had faulty picture frames or mirrors fall from your wall, and are now dealing with the frustrating nail hole pops, we can cover up these holes with our professional techniques.
- Visible Drywall Tape: Visible drywall tape can occur when drywall was improperly installed or if there is excess moisture in your home. We can remove and replace the drywall tape before we smooth it over with joint compound.
- Holes in Drywall: We can fill in any holes that completely punctured through the drywall. Using drywall replacement nets, we can fill in this section of drywall with drywall compound and smooth it over to create one smooth surface.
- Mold, Mildew, and Water Stains: Visible mold, smells of mildew, and water stains on your walls and ceilings are means for immediate repair services. Mold can poses major health hazards when breathing in the air. We can inspect the damage and recommend the best way to tackle your mold problem. Most cases require replacement of the damaged sections of drywall and to replace the entire area's drywall and flooring.
Call Your Local Handyman for Expert Charleston Drywall Installation
Those who need drywall installation in Charleston and parts of the surrounding area, such as Mount Pleasant, Johns Island, Goose Creek, and Moncks Corner, can count on our experienced team at Mr. Handyman of Charleston and Summerville—the best in South Carolina!
When it comes to drywall installation in Charleston, we are the go-to expert team. With a team of experienced professionals, we can handle all your handyman needs, and we pride ourselves on providing top-notch service to both residential and commercial properties.
With years of experience and a commitment to customer satisfaction, you can rest assured that we will professionally handle your Charleston drywall installation. Don't hesitate to reach out to us to learn more about how we can help improve your property.
Contact our Charleston handyman today to get drywall installation services that you can trust.