Drywall Installation Service in Fairfield, CT
You know what's really fascinating about drywall? Most people would probably answer, "absolutely nothing," and that's honestly understandable. Drywall isn't meant to excite, fascinate or even be noticed—and if the drywall installation process goes according to plan, it'll fade right into the background. But residential and commercial properties alike can suffer from unattractive, ineffective installations that stick out like a sore thumb and lower the appearance of the entire building. That's why it's so important to get the right professional service from an experienced drywall installer.
Whether you need to replace walls or ceilings with severe or widespread damage or you want a brand-new drywall installation to create new walls in your house or commercial business, drywall installation is a big project. It may look simple on the surface, and to be fair, most people can do drywall installation poorly. But it takes a lot of training, practice and skill to get the job done right, leaving behind a perfectly smooth, even surface that provides a beautiful backdrop to frame your furniture and other belongings.
When calling a local, experienced Fairfield handyman for drywall installation, Fairfield, CT property owners can rest assured that they will get exceptional service that goes the extra mile. The team of handyman professionals at Mr. Handyman of Upper Fairfield County have handled many commercial and residential drywall installation jobs, so we know exactly how to ensure your project goes off without a hitch and you are more than satisfied with the results.
What Is Included With Drywall Installation Service?
Most people don't really know what goes into proper drywall installation because they've never tried it themselves, and may not have ever seen it done, for that matter. When they hire our team for drywall installation, Fairfield, CT property owners can trust us to handle the entire process expertly, from start to finish. Here is how we ensure your drywall installation meets or even exceeds your expectations.
Preparing Work Area
First, we'll arrive promptly for your scheduled appointment, in uniform and driving a company vehicle so you know who you're letting into your house. We'll also have all the tools and materials we need to complete your project on hand. Then we'll evaluate your project, explain our recommendations clearly and answer any questions you have about the work that needs to be done. Next, we'll prepare your room where the work is taking place by removing or covering furniture and putting down plastic sheeting or drop cloths to help contain the mess.
Drywall Installation
If your drywall installation is a replacement for damaged material, we'll get started by removing the old drywall panels. Then, we'll hang new drywall sheets and fasten them securely to wall studs. Once that step is complete, the more difficult, skilled work begins—finishing your installation to the correct level, depending on how your surface is going to be used or decorated afterward. Drywall finishing involves steps such as:
- Covering seams and corner beads with joint tape
- Using a putty knife to apply multiple coats of compound over top of joint tape and drywall screw heads
- Sanding the dried compound down to make a smooth, even surface
- Applying a skim coat or texture spray, if necessary
Interior Trim Installation
Once the drywall is up, there's likely still a component or two that's missing. Whether your home just features baseboards to cover the rough edges where drywall and flooring meet or you have more elaborate interior wall trim such as crown molding, chair rails and wainscoting, our dependable handyman team can take care of putting up all the trim that is needed to make your drywall installation complete. When we're finished, your new wall or ceiling will look just as good as the existing ones. We'll also make sure to put covers back on electrical outlets and wall switches, as well as hang framed photos, paintings and other wall décor for the final touches.
Tidying Up the Mess
Drywall is composed of a panel of gypsum, which is a soft, sulfate mineral, enclosed in sheets of heavy paper on the front and back. That means any time you cut into a piece of drywall, there's going to be gypsum dust flying around the room and settling on every surface. Obviously the mess needs to be cleaned up once the work is complete.
When they hire our team for drywall installation, Fairfield, CT property owners don't have to worry that they'll be left to deal with tidying up. Our courteous professionals make a point of tidying up after themselves on any type of job, so all you need to do after we leave is sit back and enjoy your new wall or ceiling installation.
What Are Finishing Levels for Drywall Installation?
You may not even be aware that drywall installation has different levels of completion—five of them, in fact, or six if you count level zero. The finishing levels are a set of professional standards that were developed because the finishing only needs to go so far depending on what's going to happen with the surface following installation. Here are the various levels of drywall installation:
- Level 0: At this level, Sheetrock panels have been fastened to wall studs, but nothing else has been done. Walls are almost never left like this unless they're only being used as temporary partitions during construction.
- Level 1: Seams between panels are covered up with joint tape that has been embedded in drywall mud. This level is sometimes used for non-habitable parts of a building such as an attic space or crawl space, but even those areas usually get a level two finish.
- Level 2: The tape is then covered with a coat of joint compound, along with metal corner beads and screw holes. For walls that are getting a cover application such as a tile backsplash, this is as far as finishing needs to go.
- Level 3: For this stage, another coat of joint compound is put over joint tape on seams, corners, screw heads and other imperfections. If there will be texture applications on the surface such as an acoustical ceiling texture, level three is an acceptable stopping point.
- Level 4: Most commercial and residential properties feature a level four drywall installation. Fairfield, CT professionals will apply another coat of compound on seams, corners and screw or nail holes. When it has dried completely, the compound is sanded to smooth out any ridges, ripples or bumpy areas, and the dust is cleaned away with a damp sponge or rag. The surface is now ready to be painted or wallpapered.
- Level 5: Most installations stop at level four, but there are some cases in which a level five might be wanted. That involves using a putty knife, roller or sprayer to apply a finishing skim coat over the entire installation.
The part of a house where you will most commonly see a level five drywall installation is the ceilings, particularly in "important" rooms such as the living room or dining room. That's because light tends to play across ceilings in a way that really calls attention to dents, bumps and rough patches in the surface and a skim coat hides those small cosmetic imperfections. Popcorn ceiling texture is another way to conceal imperfections in a ceiling.
Why Choose Mr. Handyman for Expert Drywall Installation, Fairfield CT?
Whether it's for wall or ceiling drywall repair or a brand-new drywall installation, Fairfield, CT residential and commercial property owners can trust the team of professionals at Mr. Handyman of Upper Fairfield County to get the job done. We provide the top-most standards of service excellence, and you can rest easy knowing we are following all best practices for safety and adhering to applicable building codes. Once we've had the opportunity to assess the scope of your project, we will provide an upfront price so you have the information you need to make an informed decision about what works best for your property and household.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drywall Installation in Fairfield, CT
You may still have a few questions you need answered about drywall installation. Fairfield County residents can contact us to get those answers from our knowledgeable customer care staff. We also have a few responses to common questions below.
Can I Paint Directly Over a New Drywall Installation?
If you have a level four drywall installation in place, you can go ahead and apply paint directly to the Sheetrock. However, the results are generally better if you take the time to put on a coat of primer before the paint. Primer improves the paint's adhesion to the wall surface so it is more resistant to flaking, peeling or chipping. It also improves color coverage for the paint so you may not need as many coats to get an even, uniform color across the entire wall or ceiling.
Can Your Team Complete Drywall Installation In a Single Day?
It's not really possible for anyone to complete the drywall installation process in a single day, and the reason for that is joint compound. The compound, or drywall mud as it is sometimes called, needs to dry out completely before it can be sanded smooth, and the drying time is typically around 24 hours. So no matter how quickly and efficiently we work, it's still going to be a multi-day process because of the need for ample time to dry the joint compound.
What Are Common Drywall Installation Errors?
When it comes to amateur drywall installation, Fairfield, CT handymen tend to be called in to deal with certain DIY mistakes that keep popping up time and time again, because the drywall installers simply didn't have the experience to know what they should avoid. Here are some common drywall installation errors:
- Multiple Hanging Joints: As a best practice, seams between panels should be lined up over wall studs so the joint is firmly supported and both panels are connected to the stud. It's not always possible to get every single joint over a stud, but if you have multiple "hanging joints" where the seam is not connected to a stud, your overall surface structure will be weak and you could find yourself dealing with structural damage like cracks or collapsed panels.
- Joints Between Panels Are Too Tight: Panels should not have big gaps in between them, but having them too snug and close to each other isn't good either. Buildings naturally shift and settle over time, and there needs to be a little leeway to accommodate that movement. If the joints between panels are too tight, the natural movement of the building could cause problems like cracks and loose joint tape.
- Too Much Sanding: Sanding is a critical part of the process for drywall installation. Fairfield homeowners who are attempting a DIY project, however, need to keep in mind that there can be too much of a good thing. If you sand too much or too enthusiastically, you'll hit the tape or screw heads underneath the dried compound—and then you'll have to go back and repeat the entire mudding and sanding process all over again.
When You Need Expert Drywall Installation, Turn to the Pros at Mr. Handyman
Do you live in Fairfield or another part of Fairfield County CT such as Rowayton, New Canaan or Danbury? Count on the handyman professionals at Mr. Handyman of Upper Fairfield County for reliable handyman services, including drywall installation.
If you want to know more about what we can do to enhance your home or business, we'd love to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-550-1710 to get in touch with our courteous customer service staff and find out the information you're seeking, or schedule a convenient appointment for repair, maintenance, installation and improvement services.
