WHAT IS GWB OR DRYWALL?

Gypsum wall boards are pressed gypsum panels between thick paper. These panels are also known as Sheetrock, but Sheetrock is the brand of a company that produces panels and is a registered trademark in the United States of America.
The panels come in the following sizes, which are the most common.

• 1 inch are the most used for fire resistant enclosures. This panel consists of a fire resistant gypsum core that is covered on one side 100% moisture resistant, which is green color and is the front side of the panel.
• 5/8 of an inch is used to cover residential ceilings and is one hour fire resistant.
• 1/2  inch is used to cover walls, either metal or wood in residential or commercial projects and is the most common in the world.
• 1/4 ‘inch is a good option for curved walls and arches, but double boards must be used to obtain the thickness of 1/2 inch.

Installing gypsum panels must be done with the idea of creating as fewer joints as possible.
This means that it is advisable to work with the largest panels.

RISK FOR THE INSTALLERS WHILE DRYWALL INSTALLATION:

• Drywall Installers are at risk of falling, back injuries, dust respiratory exposure, sprains of backs, shoulders, and arms
• The weight range of drywall is between 60 and 125 pounds, depending on the size of the sheet. So handle these boards with care during the transportation and installation.
• Have the stacked as close to the installation areas, use drywall lifts, dollies, or jacks to move the sheets as close as possible to minimize hand carrying.
• Pick up one sheet at a time, straight back at lifting, don’t twist your back while you lift, keep floors and pathways clear to prevent falls, periodically check your feet while working on ceiling installation to ensure you have a safe pathway, avoid unstable scaffolds, avoid carrying drywall alone while using stair.
• Use forklift to stock drywall upstairs. Recommended to read the manufacturer material safety data sheets.
• Have windows open for good ventilation, minimize dust and use mask, Wear safety clear glasses.
• At sanding, use a pole sander to keep dust away from your face, avoid using  cleanup methods such as air compression, construction brooms and vacuum cleaners are recommended.

BENEFITS OF VERTICALLY DRYWALL INSTALLATION

• Installing the drywall vertically has a few benefits, on commercial jobs-sites, it’s easier to comply with the fire codes regulations, because the joints can be in between of each board on both side of the demising walls.
• The length sizes of the panels comes on 8, 9, 10 and 12 footers, so the drywall must be installed vertically to reduce waste.
• Another good benefit it’s on the finishing, the taping, the mud application and the sanding, it’s more practical.

THE MOST COMMON TOOLS TO INSTALL DRYWALL

• Drywall knife
• T square
• Screw gun
• Tape Measure
• Drywall keyhole saw
• Foot lift
• hammer