Important Safety Tips for Drywall Work

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Whether doing it on your own or hiring a professional crew, working with drywall is a serious project that requires an acute attention to detail, and of course, an appreciation for safety. Often times, anyone outsourcing or performing drywall work is on a strict time schedule, which means many people are tempted to rush through the process. If this happens, important safety precautions and practices can be easily overlooked or forgotten.

The chief point here is to remember that proper drywall safety can only be achieved if you to take your time. Cutting corners and taking shortcuts will not improve the outcome of your project, nor will it protect you from accidents. Continue reading to review some important drywall safety tips and reminders to better protect yourself and your team on your next job.

Drywall Safety Tips

Drywall work includes a long list of duties that can lead to serious injuries and accidents if one is not careful. Cutting, lifting, hanging, screwing, taping, and using power tools are just a few parts of the drywall process that can be dangerous if not performed with the utmost care and caution. Follow the safety tips below to avoid harming yourself, others, and your property.

Stay Attentive to Heavy Weight. Remember that drywall sheets are heavy. A standard sheet of ½ inch drywall weighs an average of 1.7 pounds per square foot. So a 4×8 sheet can be as heavy as 54 pounds. You must be careful transporting, lifting, and storing heavy drywall sheets. If one were to topple over on a pet or child, it can cause serious injuries.

Watch Out for Large Buckets. Large 5-gallon buckets of compound are an overlooked, life-threatening hazard for pets and children when left unsupervised. There have been cases of drowning and suffocation in wet drywall compound, as well as, old compound buckets filled with water.

Control and Manage Dust. The dust that is produced from sanding drywall can be hazardous in many ways. It can cause minor to severe head and respiratory complications, such as coughing, sore throat, dry nose, red itchy eyes, skin irritations, and more. But drywall dust can also induce and worsen existing upper respiratory issues like allergies and asthma.

Additional Tips:

🛠 Use proper tools for comfort, efficiency, and effectiveness.

🛠 Clear your work area before you begin.

🛠 Wear proper back braces and lifting gear to move drywall sheets.

🛠 Use drywall carts, specialized handles, and dollies to move heavy drywall.

🛠 Have a partner present to help lift and handle drywall sheets. Never lift alone.

🛠 Place sheets as close as possible to their final destination to reduce repeat lifting.

🛠 Avoid over-the-head drywall lifting and holding.

🛠 Take short breaks throughout the day to avoid over-exertion or muscle injury.

🛠 Wear dust masks, respirators, and safety goggles when sanding drywall.

🛠 Wear protective footwear, pants, and long-sleeved shirts.

🛠 Use damp sponges, shop vacuums, and microfiber cloths to remove dust.

🛠 Wait for dust to settle completely, and always work from the top down.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Call Drywall by AMFA at 317-269-7319 for Indianapolis drywall repair you can trust. We are experienced drywall contractors that offer a wide range of commercial and residential services, including drywall repairs, replacements, installation, remodels, new construction, custom textures, grid ceilings, metal stud framing, and more. Call 317-269-7319 to request a free estimate for professional drywall installation and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana today.

How to Hang Pictures on Walls

Drywall Installation and Repair 317-269-7319

Drywall Installation and Repair 317-269-7319

Decorating your home gives you the platform to showcase your individual style. And what better way is there to express your unique flair and personal history than to hang pictures all around your house? But hanging up pictures takes some time and patience, as well as, a small amount of skill set. In order to get the best overall look, it is important to hang pictures evenly and level. And not just pictures, but other home décor items too, like coat racks, shelving, mirrors, and even personal documents like school diplomas. It is also important to know how to hang items properly so you do not damage your drywall.

If you are feeling a little intimidated about of hanging items on your walls, then you need to review the following guide to learn how to do it all on your own from now on!

What You Need:

• Stud Finder
• Laser Level (carpenters level)
• Tape Measure
• Hammer
• Nails
• Pencil (or painters tape)
• Frame-Backing/Hanger Kit (optional)
• Wall Anchors (optional)

Where to Start

When hanging pictures, you want to be sure the center point of either the picture or the grouping is at eye level. Too high will look odd, and too low will be obtrusive. When grouping items together, be sure to consider them as one whole unit, and use similar sizes, shapes, and colors for a coherent theme. It is helpful to arrange groups on the floor in front of the wall first, so you can adjust as much as you want in order to achieve the desired look. When you have special art, consider hanging them in areas where they can be spotlighted most often, such as foyers, entry ways, and dining rooms.

Another important aspect to consider before hanging wall pictures is anchor weight. Be sure the hanger is strong enough to support the weight of the frame and the art when hung on the wall. You may need to use wall anchors for areas that do not have available wall studs. It is recommended to purchase an assorted hanger and frame-backing kits. These kits come with a wide variety of hardware for hanging items on walls, such as sawtooth hangers, ring hangers, wire and eyelet hangers, and assorted wall anchors.

Step 1

Hold the picture at eye level against the wall.

Step 2

Mark the wall at the top center section of the frame using a pencil or removable painters tape. If it is too heavy or large, use a laser level.

Step 3

Find the “adjustment measurement” by measuring the distance between the top of the frame and the mounting hanger or center of the stretched wire.

Step 4

Underneath your original wall mark, make a second mark using the adjustment measurement. This second mark will indicate where the actual mounting hanger will attach on the wall.

Step 5

If you require wall anchors, install them first. You will need additional tools for pictures that require wall anchors, including a drill, drill bits, fasteners, and more.

Step 6

For pictures that do not require wall anchors, use your hammer to insert a nail into the second wall mark where the mounting hanger goes.

Step 7

Once the nail is in the wall, use both hands to hang the picture on the nail by either the mounting hanger or the stretched wire (whichever one your picture has).

Check out our article on how to remove old wall anchors if you have some left over from previous decor!

Indianapolis Drywall Services

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Call Drywall by AMFA at 317-269-7319 for professional drywall repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. We provide a wide range of drywall services, including patchwork, hole repair, crack repair, installation, grid ceilings, custom textures, and more. Whether commercial or residential, our team of licensed drywall contractors are fully-equipped to get the job done in a time frame that’s convenient for you! Call 317-269-7319 to learn about our Indianapolis drywall services, prices and availability, today.