Get matched with top drywall pros in Clarence, IA

Cracks, holes, water damage, and dents from heavy equipment often require repair.

You should leave a gap between drywall sheets because they naturally expand and contract along with the building framing as temperature and humidity change. Most pro drywall installers leave a gap of about ⅛ inch between drywall sheets, allowing the sheets to expand, contract, and shift without cracking or becoming damaged. If you don’t leave enough gaps between slabs, the edges will press against each other when they expand, and the pressure can cause visible cracks.

Generally, shower walls should not be installed over drywall because of the moisture issues this can cause. If you’re using a direct-to-stud shower kit, you need to remove the drywall before you can do the installation.

However, if you’re using a glue-up shower kit or stall, you can glue the shower walls directly to drywall. Be sure to install a moisture-resistant drywall or waterproof cement board.

A 50-pound mirror can be hung on drywall, but only if it has the support of strong hardware. Ideally, you can find the studs behind the drywall and attach the mirror to them; this will give your mirror better stability. Otherwise, confirm that you are using anchors appropriate to the weight of the mirrors. Another technique is to use French cleats—two pieces of wood that fit together, with one piece attached to the wall and the other to the mirror. This allows the weight to be distributed over a wider area.