If you're new to drywall or just wanting to brush up on your skills, we have found some fantastic tips for working with drywall.

USE A DRYWALL LIFT FOR CEILING WORK

If you are using drywall to do a ceiling, save yourself time and protect your own safety by using a drywall lift. You can either buy or rent one and is by far the best way to get a drywall ceiling job done minus the back strain and in half the time.

SMASH PROTRUDING DRYWALL

Occasionally window and door jambs end up slightly recessed, which causes trouble when it comes time to install trim. Correct minor level differences by either bashing in or cutting out the drywall along the edge of the jamb. iT It is important to be careful, avoid going beyond what will be covered by the trim. If the level difference is greater than about 3/16 in., nail thin strips of wood, called jamb extensions, to the jamb to bring it flush to the wall surface.

CLEAN UP

Keeping your tools clean whilst hanging drywall is important for optimum performance. This especially applies to your knives, be sure to wipe away any excess jointing compound.

POSITION WORK LIGHT TO THE SIDE OR BOTTOM TO HIGHLIGHT SCREW DIMPLES

It’s hard to drive your screw-head deep enough to dimple the panel’s paper, but not so far that you break the paper. But that’s what you need to do to hold the panel tight. Angling your work light at a low angle to the wall helps you better see the crease when it develops.

A drywall screw that is correctly sunk is a matter of just a few millimetres. Protruding screws make mudding impossible. Screws that are sunk too deep will not hold the panel well.

USE A RACKING LIGHT WHEN PATCHING WALLS

When you’re preparing your walls for paint, position a bright light so that the beam rakes across the wall as shown here. This will accentuate any defects, making them easier to see and fix, and will alert you to patches that need more fill or additional sanding. If your walls look smooth in raking light, you can be sure they’ll look awesome when you’re done painting.