How to Use Salamanders With Drywall

Types of Heaters

• You can choose to work with an electric, natural gas or propane version of a salamander heater. The type you use depends solely on which fuel or energy source is most available. For example, when working on a new construction job, electricity may not be provided to the house, meaning your only solution is to work with a gas or propane heater.

Placement

• As a general rule, heaters should never be placed directly in front of a drywall area, since direct heat and rapid drying automatically cause the drywall mud to crack out rather than dry at an even pace. Place the salamander heater at least several feet away from the wall, and use a low fan setting. For best results, angle the heater toward the wall from a distance of at least 5 feet so that it blows the heat down the length of the wall rather than at a single point, such as if the heater were placed directly in front of a wall and pointing straight at the surface.

Ideal Temperature

• Similar to other construction projects such as ceramic tile or hardwood flooring, temperature management is an important aspect of drywall hanging. An optimal temperature is not simply for the drying of the texture mud but also for warming the wood of the framing that the drywall is installed on top of. For best results, an average temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit should be maintained. This allows the drywall mud to dry at a slow and steady pace while keeping the wood warm enough so that it doesn’t contract and make for difficult nailing or screwing of the drywall to the framing. A sustained temperature is also ideal for the application of drywall adhesives and mesh tape to cover the joints between pieces.

Considerations

• When working with a salamander heater or other types of space heaters, understand that they are never perfect in maintaining the temperature of a home over a long period of time. For example, a natural gas heater can run out of gas in the middle of the night unless the tank is properly maintained. Salamander heaters are also not meant for even heat distribution throughout a home, but rather for temporary surface applications.