How to Install Sheetrock Around Water Heater Venting

Sheetrock, also known as drywall and wallboard, is a gypsum-based building material used to cover interior framed walls. It is durable, easy to repair, relatively inexpensive, holds paint well and is available in various lengths and thicknesses, although all boards have the same width. Hanging sheetrock around a water heater vent can be done alone, but the job is much easier if one person holds the board while the other person drills it to the framing.

Tape measure
Carpenter's pencil
Drywall circle cutter
Utility knife
Power drill
Drywall screws

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the distance from the floor to the center of the vent. Mark the distance on a piece sheetrock and draw a horizontal line across the board at the center mark.
- 2
  Measure the distance from the adjacent walls to the center of the vent. Mark the distances on your sheetrock and draw a vertical line across the board at the center mark.
- 3
  Set your drywall circle cutter to the diameter of the vent. Embed the center point of your drywall circle cutter where your vertical and horizontal lines meet, and rotate the cutter to cut a hole.
- 4
  Cut the sheetrock in two at the center of the circle with your utility knife -- this will leave you with a semicircle in each piece.
- 5
  Place the lower piece against the wall so that the lower half of the vent fits in the semicircle. Attach the board to the wall studs by driving drywall screws every 8 inches.
- 6
  Place the upper piece against the wall so that the upper half of the vent fits in the semicircle. Attach the board to the wall studs by driving drywall screws every 8 inches to completely encircle the vent.

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