Installing Drywall in a Garage
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.
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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. View all comments |
