So my two weeks off from school seemed to be an indication for my main employer to step up my work week. Which is good. I like money, but it leaves me kinda zombie-like. I had off on Sunday, but I used that to catch up on sleep and let my body recover.
Since I've been doing drywall, the tiredness of the body doesn't come from my preferred source of lifting heavy things but rather from cramped working positions and repetitive tasks. I suppose that's raising my muscle endurance? If so, it's only boosting my shoulders.
Now I've done drywall before. To a degree of acceptability that suited me and those I was working for. These guys however, have a much higher standard. I've been learning their process and standards and lemme tell you, it seems a bit extravagant, if effective.
First, the drop cloths go down, with runners to the doorway. Painters plastic goes over the drop cloth covering the work area. Then Zip walls with painters plastic go up. Taught, Floor to ceiling, edge to edge, making a draftless work box. Then, outside of the work area, all furniture gets covered with painters plastic. That shelf above your fireplace, about twelve inches long and four deep? COVERED.
With that sweatbox built the work can begin. Which starts out as normal drywall work. you cut out the damaged drywall, avoiding any electrical and plumbing lines. Get all the damaged board out, and then square it to nearest studs/joists. No biggie. Then you add 2x4 to the studs/joists, this is what you'll be screwing the drywall to. Now get some 1x4's. These will get liquid nails along one side, you'll press that side to the inside of the drywall you left up around the hole. Then you'll screw them in. So far mostly normal except that you're vacuuming with one hand while you cut out the damaged drywall with a oscillating saw with the other.
Cut your new drywall to size, plus an eighth of an inch on each side. Make sure it's square. This is where the second person comes in. They'll be holding up the drywall as you vibe trim the piece down to the exact size needed. You will also be holding a vacuum to catch any dust this causes. Once done, you dry fit the piece to make sure it's goddamn perfect. Once assured that there won't be any gaps to fill, you add liquid nails to those 1x4's and 2x4's you installed earlier, as well as any exposed studs/joists. Install new piece by screwing in place along every 1x4, 2x4, and stud/joist.
Now for the taping. Only paper tape is allowed, as mesh causes cracking. Lay down a 2" stripe of heavy mud about 1/8th of an inch thick along all the seams. Stick the tape to this, making sure the ridge is dead on point. Now you dual wield drywall knives and hold one end of the tape. Drag your other knife from where your holding knife is down the tape, squeezing out all the excess and leaving no wrinkles or kinks. Repeat until all tape is set.
Now you get a 12" knife and load it up with heavy mud. From the ridge of the tape, holding the knife at almost a 90° angle.
You know what? this is already super long, and I don't think you guys want a play by play of drywall work. If you do, put a comment below and I'll write up the whole perfect drywall process on another day off.
I'm gonna go write the saga of Coop. At least part 1.