{"id":272,"date":"2022-10-31T14:55:40","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T14:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhousebuilding.com\/?p=272"},"modified":"2022-10-31T14:55:40","modified_gmt":"2022-10-31T14:55:40","slug":"how-to-sand-drywall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhousebuilding.com\/how-to-sand-drywall\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Sand Drywall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to doing DIY work, working with drywall is probably one of the least fun things you can do, however, it\u2019s necessary if you want to make any improvements to your home at all, so it is important to learn how to work with drywall if you plan on making some improvements to your home in the future!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important things to learn to do with drywall is how to sand it properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people think that sanding drywall is an easy task, however, it is much more difficult than you might initially think, and can lead to you creating quite a mess in your home if you don\u2019t prepare properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you want to learn how to sand drywall properly, and learn more about working with drywall, then keep reading on as we teach you everything you need to know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 1: Drywall Dust<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the worst parts about sanding drywall is the dust that gets created, so in this section, we\u2019re going to talk about how you can minimize this mess as much as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sanding drywall powder can create a huge mess in your workspace, and because the mess is caused by fine drywall powder, it can get absolutely everywhere and be a nightmare to clean up, so the first step to preventing this mess from being made in your house is to place some drop cloths in your workspace, this will prevent you from having to sweep or vacuum after you\u2019ve finished sanding!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another step you\u2019re going to want to take whilst sanding drywall is to ensure that you have plenty of ventilation in your workspace, the simplest way to do so is to just open up the windows in the room you\u2019re working in, but you can also add box fans in windows facing outwards, which should help to blow any dust out of the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you should make sure that your air conditioning or heating unit is off, as this will lead to dust traveling to other parts of the house. Blocking off the return air vents is a good idea too, even if the unit isn\u2019t on to begin with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You should also be sure to cover any furniture in the room too, that\u2019s if you can\u2019t remove it from the room in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Covering it will prevent any dust from burying its way into the furniture, and it\u2019s much less effort than cleaning it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The last step before you sand is to protect yourself too, you should be wearing safety glasses and respiratory protection too, as dust can be extremely harmful to your lungs, just make sure that the mask you\u2019re planning on using has been approved for use with drywall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hat is also a good idea too, as dust likes to settle in your hair, and it can take days to come out again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 2: Workspace<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Step 1<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step for a good workplace is adequate lighting, so you\u2019re going to want to ensure that you have a large light or lamp to shine on the edge of the wall, as this will allow you to see any imperfections or rough patches that need to be sanded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural light is better, but if your room doesn\u2019t get much natural light, a well placed light will suffice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You should check that the drywall is actually dry before you go ahead and sand it, so check to ensure that the color is even throughout, as this is the biggest indicator that the drywall hasn\u2019t finished drying yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A stool or a stepladder is needed if you can\u2019t reach the top of the wall, as you\u2019ll need to work from top to bottom in order to make sure that the dust doesn\u2019t fall on a patch that you\u2019ve already done!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 3: Sanding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Step 1<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll want to ensure that you have removed any excess mud or compound that is still on the wall, but sanding paper won\u2019t work on this, so instead just make use of your drywall knife, doing this before you sand will make the process a lot easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You should start the sanding process by using a sanding sponge to taper, start in the corners where the walls meet, and then begin sanding outwards in order to taper the mud down the wall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So begin with nice broad strokes, and then transition to outward strokes towards the edge of the mud. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the time to go over any screws, and you can use either a sanding sponge or just full sandpaper in order to even them out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your next job is to tackle the seams where the drywall meets, so take some 220-grit sandpaper in order to even out these seams, starting with big strokes back and forth to start, and then smooth it all over with the sanding sponge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You want to make sure that you\u2019re not applying too much pressure whilst sanding, as you\u2019re only trying to smooth over the bumps and rough patches, and remember that there\u2019s no need to sand the low parts, as you can always fill them in with more mud. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 6<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s any loose dust, quickly use a dry paintbrush to remove it from the wall to prevent it from going into the primer whilst you\u2019re painting<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 7<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Use an appropriate vacuum, such as a Shopvac, to clear up any dust hanging around the room and from the drop cloths outside of the workspace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We hope you\u2019ve enjoyed our guide to sanding a drywall, and although it\u2019s a tiresome process, the results are worth all of the effort, we hope this has helped, and good luck with your project!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/imoKbJnHbKE<\/a>