How to Replace Vinyl Walls With Sheetrock

Place drop cloths over the flooring to protect your floor from vinyl chips as well as the dust that accompanies sheetrock installation.

Put on safety gear, including safety glasses, gloves and a mask to protect yourself from flying vinyl chips.

Pry off the vinyl wall panels. Most vinyl wall panels are nailed into place. Start in one corner of the wall. Insert the prybar underneath the vinyl panel and pry outward. Continue down the wall until the entire edge is released. Continue until all of the panels are off the wall.

Install the sheetrock. You can start from the bottom and work up, or vice versa, whichever you prefer. Screw the sheetrock into the wall joists at a rate of 12 inches between screws. If you need to make cuts in the sheetrock, score the front of the panel with a utility knife. Break the piece along the cut, and then use your utility knife to cut through the paper backing.

Tape the sheetrock joints. Use a self-adhesive drywall tape to avoid using an extra layer of mud.

Mud over the tape. Apply drywall mud or joint compound over the tape with a trowel or a putty knife. Scrape off the excess with the edge of your knife. Let this set until hard, usually between 45 minutes and two hours.

Sand over the mud. The surface of the wall needs to be smooth and level. Use a medium grade sandpaper or sanding block, and sand over the mud. The wall is now ready to be primed and painted.