Tips on Drywalling Basement Walls

Vertical Installation

• Basement ceilings typically are less than 8 feet high, meaning you can install drywall vertically. This cuts down on drywall finishing time later because drywall has a factory bevel, or indentation, along its length. The bevel allows drywall finishers to bury paper tape under joint compound, leaving a finished seam that is flush with the surrounding wall.

Benefit

• Installing drywall vertically creates several floor-to-ceiling seams, rather than one long horizontal seam. The floor-to-ceiling seams are beveled, so they are easy to finish. In contrast, high-ceiling rooms require horizontal installation, which inevitably creates a few joints where two cut edges meet. Called butt joints, they lack bevels, meaning they protrude and are difficult to hide with joint compound.

Type

• Unless your basement is abnormally dry, avoid installing standard drywall. Instead, invest in a more expensive but durable type of drywall that provides moisture or mold resistance. Many varieties exist, so pick the option that works with your budget. Greenboard offers minimal moisture protection, deriving from its chemically treated paper. Concrete-based boards offer extreme protection. They work well behind tiles and around showers and sinks. Somewhere in the middle range of protection are boards that have fiberglass-infused paper that resists mold growth. If you’re not sure which is suitable for your basement’s moisture level, ask a drywall contractor. Today’s extra expenses might save you money and hassles later.

Warning

• If you’re installing drywall after a flood, take appropriate precautions to dry out the interiors of your basement’s walls and ceilings. Mold flourishes in dark, moist areas. If you trap mold behind drywall, it can spread. In the event of a flood, say from a burst pipe or heavy rainfall, you must remove the water with pumps, then set up as many fans and dehumidifiers as necessary to prevent mold growth. Wait a week or so to install new drywall, or you risk trapping invisible spores and moisture. If you have any doubts, ask a mold remediation specialist to inspect the interior of your walls before installing drywall. Forestall mold problems by keeping your basement dry at all times, using a dehumidifier if necessary.