Installing Drywall in a Garage

By Tim Carter
©1993-2009 Tim Carter

Summary: Drywall installation can be done correctly and still you get cracks. Joint compound can hold too much water and crack upon drying. Or it could be cracking from movement of the walls.

Related Articles: install drywall, drywall finishing skills, finishing tips

Dear Tim: I'm hanging drywall for the first time in my garage. I have completed one wall thus far. I noticed about 1 week after priming the wall that the horizontal seam is beginning to develop a hairline crack. I used 12' sheets and laid them on their sides to create fewer vertical joints. The screws are about 6" - 8" apart vertically and 1 per stud per sheet horizontally. I used fiberglass tape for this seam. Can you tell me what I've done wrong? Any help will be greatly appreciated. I hope to prevent this problem on my other 3 walls. Johnny S.

Dear Johnny: Based upon your description, it sounds like you did everything right. The crack is probably a shrinkage crack in the joint compound you used to hide the seams. If there is excessive water in the joint compound, the dried material often has small cracks from the volume loss that occurs as the water evaporates.

The crack could also be caused by movement of the walls. Some garages do flex a little bit on windy days.



Comments:

Chuck Miller
19 Aug 2008, 14:01
I am going to finish drywalling the garage. Do I hang it sideways or up and down. I only have 8 sheets to put up.
tom asplin
17 Nov 2008, 11:12
I am currently developing plans for a wood/metal shop for my basement. I would like to install a wooden floor but their is 50 year old floor tile on it. What should I use to install the wooden floor. I guess gluing with a tongue and groove would work. I was thinking about a parkay but don't know anthing about it.
Todd
02 Mar 2009, 20:30
I would like to point out that the likely cause of the hairline crack is the fiberglass tape. I have seen many instances where this occurs. Properly installed paper tape will work much better.

Also, to chuck. You should hang the drywall "sideways" as a joint that runs from floor to ceiling will be much more visible especially from an angle. having the vertical joints staggered makes this less of a problem.

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