How to Cover Vents for Drywall Sanding

After installing new drywall panels and taping the seams, you’ll have to sand the walls smooth to remove excess dried joint compound before you can paint. Unfortunately, this creates huge billows of drywall dust that permeate every nook and cranny. If you don’t cover vents, especially return-air vents, the dust can enter your furnace and wreak havoc on your HVAC unit when your heating and air system kicks on.

Plywood
Masking tape
Cardboard
Clear plastic

Instructions

- 1
  Place a large sheet of plywood over floor vents. This is one of the simplest ways to keep the dust out. When you’re done sanding, use a shop-type vacuum to remove the dust that settles on the plywood before picking up the board.
- 2
  Tape off the vents. Apply wide masking tape, starting at one end of the vent and taping pieces on from side to side, overlapping the previous pieces to form an airtight seal.
- 3
  Cut a piece of cardboard the same size as the vent and tape it in place with masking tape. This works well if you need to cover a large vent opening on a wall or ceiling.
- 4
  Measure and cut a piece of clear plastic or vinyl drop cloth and tape it in place over the vent.

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